Empowering Criteria for Effective Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings in Egypt

Abstract

This study identifies a list of effective criteria for the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in Egypt. Adaptive reuse is one of the most important conservation strategies. The qualitative nature of this approach and its reliance on many diverse and often conflicting heritage factors and values has made decision-making complex, difficult, and fragmentarily supported in a way within the framework of sustainability. The research examines the factors influencing the adaptive reuse of buildings to determine effective and influencing criteria in Egypt for changing resistant perspectives. Criteria from previous studies were reviewed and evaluated for their potential use through a questionnaire tool targeting professional and non-professional, then analyzed by the SPSS statistics program. The results showed five empowering criteria for effective buildings adaptability in Egypt. Based on the analysis for principal components, identified criteria are grouped into seven principal components; heritage value management, integration with the demand of development, environment adaptivity, environmental performance and sustainability, public intervention, adaptation Plan, and financial and investment. The identified empowering criteria and principal factors are considered as a reference for stakeholders and governments to get a clearer vision of adaptive reuse to achieve better and more sustainable planning, and management.