VACANT TO VIBRANT – Revitalizing Urban Spaces through Adaptive Reuse

Abstract

How can adaptive reuse design strategies be applied to support urban renewal and better placemaking? Urban areas globally face continuous evolution driven by population, economic, and environmental shifts. This evolution often leads to development projects that prioritize demolition over preservation, resulting in the loss of cultural landmarks, increased waste, and urban sprawl. Adaptive reuse presents a sustainable alternative, challenging the misconception that it merely involves preserving structures in static forms. Instead, adaptive reuse reimagines existing buildings, transforming them into vibrant, multifunctional spaces that meet modern programmatic demands while preserving cultural and environmental assets. This thesis explores how adaptive reuse strategies can serve as tools for urban renewal and placemaking, addressing challenges like demolition bias and the underutilization of existing structures. By integrating innovative architectural interventions as a kit of parts, adaptive reuse enables the creation of spaces that foster community engagement, stimulate local economies, and enhance sustainability. A proposed “kit of parts” framework offers adaptable design strategies, such as vertical additions, facade rejuvenation, and interior reconfigurations, that empower stakeholders to implement adaptive reuse dynamically and effectively. By positioning adaptive reuse as a catalyst for urban regeneration, this research highlights its potential to drive economic growth, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen social and cultural cohesion, ultimately reframing it as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.