Adaptive Reuse as a Strategy for Sustainable Building Preservation and Regeneration
Keywords:
Adaptive reuse, building preservation, sustainability, stakeholder collaboration, urban regenerationAbstract
The increasing demand for urban spaces and limited land availability have driven the adoption of adaptive reuse strategies, which repurpose existing or heritage buildings for new functions relevant to current needs. This strategy effectively extends the life cycle of buildings, preserves historical values, and supports sustainability principles through resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the conservation of embodied energy. This review analyzes the implementation of adaptive reuse as a strategy for sustainable building preservation and regeneration, drawing on a synthesis of 12 relevant academic journals. The analysis focuses on identifying key success factors, major challenges, and best practices related to adaptive reuse projects. The main aspects examined include stakeholder collaboration, financial strategies, community engagement, and the architect’s role in balancing historical value with modern functionality. The findings reveal that the success of adaptive reuse is influenced by three key aspects: cross-sector collaboration among architects, owners, governments, and communities; phased financial strategies supported by adaptive policies; and the involvement of technical and conservation experts from the early design stages. Conversely, the main challenges include financial limitations, regulatory barriers, and technical complexities of heritage structures. This review concludes that adaptive reuse is not merely a preservation effort but a sustainable architectural approach that integrates cultural value, contemporary function, and urban regeneration.
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