CURRENT ISSUES CONCERNING ADAPTATIVE RE-USE IN THE CONSERVATION OF URBAN CULTURAL HERITAGE
This article examines the role and challenges of adaptive re-use in the conservation of urban cultural heritage, with a specific focus on the Asian context. The author argues that while adaptive re-use is a vital tool for extending the lifespan of historic structures through economic, environmental,...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
October 2002
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40004/2692 |
| Summary: | This article examines the role and challenges of adaptive re-use in the conservation of urban cultural heritage, with a specific focus on the Asian context. The author argues that while adaptive re-use is a vital tool for extending the lifespan of historic structures through economic, environmental, and social "recycling," it is not a universal solution. Notably, religious sites—such as Macao’s Ma Kok Miu (Barra Temple)—and buildings requiring high degrees of physical and socio-cultural authenticity are better served by traditional restoration rather than functional conversion.
Through a conceptual analysis of conservation practices, the paper categorizes potential new uses into "active" (revenue-generating) and "passive" (socially beneficial) functions. While active uses like retail and hospitality provide the financial returns necessary for maintenance, passive uses such as museums offer indispensable community value. The study identifies three critical issues that complicate the implementation of adaptive re-use in Asian cities: the determination of appropriate new uses, the constraints of legal and planning frameworks, and the socio-economic impacts of gentrification. Ultimately, the article suggests that successful heritage management must balance contemporary economic viability with the preservation of a site’s authentic cultural meaning and its impact on the local way of life. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |