Title: Innovative business model for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage in a circular economy perspective

Authors: Ruba Saleh; Christian Ost

Addresses: ICHEC Brussels Management School, 4 Boulevard Brand Whitlock, B-1150 Bruxelles, Belgium ' Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 1, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium

Abstract: This article aims to develop an innovative business model for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage in a circular economy perspective, and in line with the guidelines of the historic urban landscape approach. Adaptive reuse of cultural heritage is considered today as key in urban conservation and sustainable development. This article addresses the relevance of adaptive reuse of cultural heritage to the circular economy objectives. It then suggests an innovative business model which can cope with specific issues of governance and financing processes of adaptive reuse. It is based on the strongly sustainable business ontology and it is related to the flourishing business model, which takes into consideration the multi-dimensional and multi-actors context of sustainability. By building on this model, the paper analyses the different sections (how, what, for whom and why) under the framework of the circular economy.

Keywords: urban conservation; historic urban landscape; HUL; adaptive reuse; circular economy; flourishing business model; positive impacts; Sustainable Development Goals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2023.128181

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2023 Vol.48 No.1, pp.39 - 77

Accepted: 03 Oct 2021
Published online: 10 Jan 2023 *

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