Abstract: This study reviews the concept, formation and value of industrial heritage as well as the status quo of its research at home and abroad. In addition, based on the analysis of the composition and value of the third-front industrial heritage in Huopu District, and starting from the relationship between the planning of small cities and the third-front industrial heritage protection, this paper puts forward that the third-front industrial heritage protection and utilization should be considered as an integral part of the overall planning of the development of small cities through the construction of the protection and utilization framework of third-front industrial heritage in small cities as well as the study on third-front industrial heritage protection and utilization that contribute to the development of urban context, the tertiary industry and the pleasant residential areas, and thereby it comes up with some suggestions.