Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings: Sustaining an Icon or Eyesore

Abstract

There is growing acceptance that heritage buildings are an important element of Australia‘s social capital and that heritage conservation provides economic, cultural and social benefits to urban communities. The decision whether to reuse a building entails a complex set of considerations including location, heritage, architectural assets, and market trends. The role of building conservation has changed from preservation to being part of a broader strategy for urban regeneration and sustainability. A growing body of opinion supports the view that adaptive reuse is a powerful strategy for handling this change. Urban development and subsequent redevelopment has a significant impact on the environment and this research investigates how the conservation of heritage buildings may contribute to a more sustainable urban environment. This paper examines practitioners‘ views and experiences associated with adaptive reuse of heritage buildings within the context of urban regeneration, conservation and sustainability .