ADAPTIVE REUSE OF HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE AS A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOOL: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

History plays an important role in defining our present and future. Architectural heritage is the symbol of our cultural identities, acting as remnants from the past. Respect and values of the architecture heritage affect the identity and vision of the culture. The existence of architecture is defined in both time and space, therefore the need for historical monuments to be adapted and reused suited for current time while satisfying the historical context and cultural values, is the present-day demand to bring people together who are otherwise separated by certain boundaries. With the current technological advancement, the 21st century skyline places focus on glass and metal facades that lack personality, hence there is a need for more effort to conserve and readapt heritage sites that stem from our cultures and our values. The purpose of the study is to create awareness towards a more sustainable approach for heritage conservation by adaptive reuse and understand the influence it has on the various sectors of a society and its residents. Based on a qualitative methodology, with a case study approach, this paper uses observation, in-depth interviews, and textual analysis to explore possibilities of sustainable transformation of architectural heritage in present and transferring the culture and values to future. This research paper will open further opportunities in this field to understand the factors behind the influence of these intangible and tangible variables and can be utilized to raise a country to an international standard of competition in terms of economy and societal norms.