Renewal Pathways for Inefficient Industrial Land in Zhejiang Province: A Spatial Production Theory Perspective

As Chinese cities move toward stock-based development, the redevelopment of inefficient industrial land has become essential for urban spatial restructuring and sustainable transformation. Building on Lefebvre’s triadic theory of spatial production, this study establishes a comprehensive analytical framework consisting of spatial practice, representations of space, and representational spaces, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying spatial reconfiguration. Through a multi-case inductive approach, twelve representative cases from Zhejiang Province are systematically analyzed to reveal the fundamental logic driving spatial reconstruction within the context of inefficient land redevelopment. The results reveal the following: (1) In the process of inefficient land redevelopment, spatial practice involves land reuse and functional integration, representations of space reflect institutional planning, and representational spaces shape meaning through cultural identity and user experience. These dimensions interact dynamically to drive the transformation of both the form and meaning of inefficient land. (2) The redevelopment of inefficient land in Zhejiang can be classified into two primary models: increment-driven and qualitative transformation, which are further divided into seven subtypes. The increment-driven model includes enterprise-initiated renewal, integrated upgrading, platform empowerment, and comprehensive remediation; the qualitative transformation model comprises mine remediation, cultural empowerment, and use conversion. (3) Significant differences exist between these models: the increment-driven model emphasizes land expansion and floor area ratio improvement, while the qualitative transformation model enhances land value through mine restoration, cultural embedding, and functional transformation. This study extends the application of spatial production theory within the Chinese context and offers theoretical support and policy insights for the planning and governance of inefficient industrial land redevelopment.