Adaptive reuse in sustainable development: An empirical study of a Lui Seng Chun building in Hong Kong

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Balancing a conflict between cultural heritage and development is an important topic for our society around the world. In many countries, historic buildings are well-preserved for economically viable uses. Lui Seng Chun is a Grade 1 historic building in Hong Kong. It is not only has collective memory for local residents, but also requires particular expertise and care. To encourage cultural tourism and ensure a good adaptive reuse of Lui Seng Chun project, the government has invited non-profit making organizations with charitable status and relevant experience to operate the building through applying the “Revitalizing historic buildings through partnership scheme”. This historic building can be allocated for cultural or commercial uses. Therefore, this paper explores public opinions on governmental measures and the introduction of conservation and revitalization of historic buildings as well as their comments on the reuse plan of the Lui Seng Chun project by conducting a questionnaire survey. Learning from the Lui Seng Chun project, the government should makes effort for protecting our heritage assets and considering public wants, a balance between development and heritage conservation can be achieved as a win-win situation.