Abstract

<p>This research investigated the feasibility of adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings in Southwestern Ontario. Adaptive reuse is a conversion strategy that has recently been utilized in cities faced with a decline in industry. The cities experiencing a labour shift away from manufacturing now have dilapidated vacant or underutilized industrial buildings cross their urban landscape. Adaptive reuse is the process of reusing an existing building, with or without changes to the structure, for a new purpose. Southwestern, Ontario is a region that has struggled to rebound from the economic shift, and the 2008/2009 recession. The region is located southwest of Toronto, bordering Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. This study, through case study analysis, explored the characteristics that are important in hindering or facilitating the feasibility of adaptive reuse of existing vacant industrial buildings. The case studies demonstrate that location, market characteristics, legislation, council support, and financial implications are the most important factors in assessing the feasibility of adaptive reuse. This research, and the recommendations provided, may aid municipalities and counties in encouraging and working with developers to revitalise their vacant industrial buildings. </p>

Highlights

  • This research investigated the feasibility of adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings in Southwestern, Ontario

  • Adaptive reuse is a conversion strategy that has recently been utilized in cities faced with a decline in industry

  • The ability of the structure to be adapted to a new purpose has been identified as one of the most important factors when considering the adaptive reuse of a vacant industrial building (Ball, 2002; Lute & Marincu, 2016; Louw, 2015)

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Summary

What is Adaptive Reuse?

Adaptive reuse is the process of reusing a site or building for a different purpose from that which it was built for (Yung & Chan, 2012). It is considered a method of preservation, conservation, rehabilitation, renovation and recycling (Tam & Hao, 2018). Adaptive reuse is an alternative to demolition It is premised on the idea of reworking or altering a building for a new use. It is the process of completing repairs, alterations or additions while preserving portions of features of the original structure. The advantages and disadvantages will be explored within three categories: economic, social and environmental

Advantages of Adaptive Reuse
Disadvantages of Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive Reuse Overview
SECTION THREE: METHODOLOGY
Economic Conditions The regions created by Eisen and
Change in Industrial Buildings Given the demise of the manufacturing sector in
SECTION SIX: ANALYSIS This section analyzes all the information summarized in
Sustainability
Changeability
Location The Tannery District, Kaufman Lofts, Tudhope Building, and the Mary Webb
Legislation
Public Interests
Building Condition
Findings
SECTION SEVEN: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
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