Title: Evaluation of urban sustainability and adaptive reuse of built heritage areas: a case study on conservation in Hong Kong's CBD

Authors: Sheila Conejos; Esther H.K. Yung; Edwin H.W. Chan

Addresses: Building and Real Estate Department, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' Building and Real Estate Department, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' Building and Real Estate Department, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: Conservation principles and sustainability play a vital role in the practice of building adaptive reuse. Building adaptive reuse is a significant strategy for promoting sustainable built environment. Meeting the current needs of existing buildings and ensuring the future 'adaptivity' of new buildings contribute to global climate protection and emission reduction. When designing new buildings, it is important to be concerned with maximising the adaptive reuse potential of buildings later in their lives to help mitigate the effects of a changing climate. Designers should consider the existing urban context and the needs of new buildings through appropriate design technologies. This paper is a further research reporting on the application of the adaptSTAR model to the remaining heritage buildings in Hong Kong's CBD. It is expected that this research will be useful in the practical applications of adaptive reuse in both existing and future buildings while maintaining the existing urban structure for sustainability.

Keywords: urban sustainability; adaptive reuse; built heritage; adaptSTAR model; Hong Kong; sustainable development; case study; conservation; building reuse; global climate protection; emissions reduction; building design; heritage buildings.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2014.065843

Journal of Design Research, 2014 Vol.12 No.4, pp.260 - 279

Received: 05 Sep 2013
Accepted: 24 Feb 2014
Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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