Empowering Criteria for Effective Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings in Egypt

This research is based on a detailed analysis of previous studies concerning historic building's adaptive reuse. This study helps by concluding the main factors used by stakeholders and decision-makers to adopt any conservation project for historical building adaptation. To create an up-to-date criterion for this type of project, respecting new technologies and environment behavior, a study-based questionnaire was created to evaluate all needed processes from the point of view of professionals in the field of conservation and all non-professionals users. The survey questionnaire mechanism was used for its effectiveness in collecting data and identifying various problems that cannot be directly observed. It also produces data amenable to statistical analysis [17]. The standards have been carefully included, along with their definitions taken into account from the relevant preceding.

2.1 Previous studies analysis

Although adaptive reuse is considered a more sustainable option than development, the decision is very sensitive due to the developments and problems related to the requirements of sustainability and the needs of society from one place to another. It is important to overcome these challenges and take advantage of the benefits of adaptive reuse to improve living conditions while preserving historical authenticity and meeting the requirements of sustainable development in different places.

A list of criteria was defined by an in-depth review of studies of adaptive reuse of different types of heritage buildings and by a systematic literature review using a defined set of keywords; it included adaptive reuse, successful standards, sustainable development, and decision-making. Analytical review was conducted in this study, as a scientific method of literature review, which can identify the list of effective criteria for adaptive reuse. Both cited articles and references were extracted from the available databases of ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus, Taylor, Francis, and Sage. In fact, most of the articles reviewed were retrieved from highly-rated journals. Including Sustainable Operations Management, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Habitat International, Sustainability, Sustainable Development and Planning, Cities, as well as government reports, inventories, and conference papers. Some researchers have briefly defined the multi-criteria assessment of adaptive reuse under four aspects, namely, economic, technological, environmental, and social aspects [15-17]. Others classified other criteria into five areas: architecture, economics, environmental, legislative, and social [18]. These five main factors include 26 criterions that should be taken in consideration during an adaptive reuse project. The list of criteria from previous studies of adaptive reuse is summarized in Table 1.

Previously identified criteria for adaptive reuse contain many challenges; due to some deficiency in keeping up with developments related to modern problems and the requirements of sustainable development. For example, reduced energy efficiency and increased urban density. The heritage buildings are not supported by environmental technologies. Existence of intangible obstacles to sustaining the daily life of the surrounding community. The necessity to implement current building regulations, maintenance guidelines, and planning requirements. Incompatibility of new materials with the existing one. Lack of skilled local workers in repair. Limited support from stakeholders and investors to make the buildings sustainable. High cost of maintenance and repair. Lack of awareness and misconceptions about reuse. The idea that adaptive reuse is expensive, and demolition provides reasonable profits is common. Additional costs and time delays due to pollution in buildings. Lack of accurate information on defects or inconsistencies in the dimensions, materials, and drawings of heritage buildings. Requirements for new technologies, technical installations, and innovative solutions. etc. Therefore, reuse must be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to each country, with an innovative approach to enhancing the building's long-term sustainability through adaptive reuse [4, 18-20].

Table 1. Adaptive reuse criteria identified and shaped survey items

2.2 Survey questionnaire for criteria of adaptive reuse

A questionnaire was developed from the previous criteria and given to different related professions, such as, architects and architectural students, academic professors, administrators, project managers and consultants, others who have contributed by their experience and knowledge in the field of adaptive reuse projects, Figure 3. A five-point Likert scale was used for surveying, with "5" denotes strongly agree, "4" agree, "3" Neutral, and "2" disagree, and "1" strongly disagree. Respondents had to choose the importance of each criterion of adaptive reuse identified in Table 1. They were also encouraged to add any other factors that could help the survey and were not included in the original text. Based on reviewing the literature, a detailed questionnaire was developed from the treatment of previous criteria, and a total of 350 samples questionnaires were considered in this study.

3.jpg

Figure 3. Distribution of responses' profession

To evaluate survey responses, an analysis was developed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0) "SPSS," correlation analyzes, initial Eigenvalues, and factor analysis. It is a statistical package designed by IBM, widely used worldwide by academics and researchers. It helps provide high accuracy and quality in decision-making, as it is characterized by quickly understanding large and complex data sets through advanced statistical procedures. It is characterized by comprehensiveness, ease of use, interpretation of results, and multiple statistical tests that the program can perform. Also displays spreadsheets easily and quickly. The main limitation of SPSS is that it cannot be used to analyze a very large set of data and can only find a mechanism for a causal theory by drawing patterns and correlations from the data. This statistical software performs statistical tests of comparison and correlation in the context of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis of both parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. Through SPSS statistics, correlation analysis and raw Eigenvalues were used to interpret the data.

The SPSS is a suitable statistical package if the researcher intends to refine the variables because it provides comprehensive output compared to other statistical programs. There are two methods for determining the primary dimensions of a data set: factor analysis and principal component analysis. These techniques differ in the estimates of the commons used. Principal component analysis was chosen because it is less conceptually complex than factor analysis.

Through the use of Cronbach's alpha, the reliability of the study tool (the questionnaire) was verified. As the internal consistency of the data collected was tested based on the average correlation between the items, reliability ranges were from 0 to 1. Internal consistency is proposed as acceptable if the alpha value in Cronbach is greater than 0.7 [56]. The minimum coefficient alpha Cronbach data collected is 0.83, indicating good internal consistency of these factors.

2.3 Analysis of criteria ranking

Rank Cases procedure is an approach widely used in many fields of research, where the rank variable represents the order of the values of the numeric variable. To reduce many of the criteria for reuse to several criteria that are very important for the case of Egypt, and according to the analysis of the questionnaire data that was conducted, calculating ranking variables was used using the Rank Cases procedure. Five factors were identified as the most empowering criteria to serve as starting points for stakeholders and governments for adaptive reuse in Egypt with an average value above 4 as shown in Table 2.

According to Table 2, all these factors are discussed as follows; Rank No. (1), Add new value for cultural aspects (C12) ranked to be the most important criteria for building adaptation, with a mean value of 4.35. This indicates that adding new value to cultural aspects is the main empowering factor of adaptive reuse of historical buildings in Egypt. This is done by presenting a positive image to preserve the memory to contribute to the generation of new values and to look at a more comprehensive vision. Because of the intrinsic nature of heritage buildings in transmitting the socio-cultural identity to future generations, and to achieve more benefits from adaptive reuse contemporary, these buildings are being adapted for different uses. This creates usable places to breathe new life into an existing heritage building. Which helps develop the identity of the place or act as a landmark by adding new values without erasing the previous ones [43, 57].

Another Empowering factor is the commitment to examine the adaptation of new use in relation to the construction of the local environment (C16), with a mean value of 4.3. It is a problem addressed by local governments around the world. In most developed countries, more spending is on adaptation than on new construction. Innovations in decision-making are major contributions to better understand the best practices for existing historic buildings’ sustainable adaptations, thus providing new practical and theoretical insights. The focus is on applying a balanced approach that includes sustainable and exemplary approaches to the effective management of sustainable adaptation [45].

Rank No. 3. Architectural features of the building’s exterior factor (C1) is the third most important empowering factor for the reusing of historical buildings in Egypt, with a mean value of 4.2. The architectural aspect is critical to consider when making any decision regarding adaptive reuse. The architectural style for heritage buildings including openings, colors, uses of materials [58], must be preserved to respect the prior (artistic) workmanship, features, and historical values [59]. Architectural features including building facade, interior items, finishing. material, function and surrounding site plan, all must be carefully evaluated to identify needed interventions.

Rank No. 4. Retain historical setting and urban or create a livelier urban environment due to new economic and social activities (C10), with a mean value of 4.1. Incorporating the urban aspect into assessing the adaptive reuse potential of existing buildings, is critical to achieving sustainable development. These criteria focus on the neighborhood and landscape/context condition to maintain a comfortable relationship between users and the built environment. The priority of special consideration of activities that may affect the environment, reduce resources, and energy consumption. Retaining the sense of place is related to an appreciation of the general significance of the place by providing a better understanding and recognition of cultural significance and values. Therefore, the use of new sites should be avoided in most adaptive reuse projects [60]. Furthermore, also organized social links can be preserved and strengthened by not severing clear links with the past lives of buildings and sites. These links can be maintained while encouraging diversity through adaptive reuse projects and activities that bring together new and old meanings, also by a sense of place and connections, the impact of heritage buildings on the community thus can be illustrated [37]. Rank No. 5. All adaptive reuse projects should follow a specific protection law for heritage and historic buildings (C14), with a mean value of 4.05. The standards of the legislative aspect must be taken into account when making decisions to reuse and encourage heritage buildings. In terms of regulating the use of land and buildings located on it. As well as official plans, zoning regulations, and building rules. In addition to the requirements of the organization and heritage design, comply with relevant laws, acts, and regulations set by authorized parties. Finally, the availability of building materials, design, workmanship, and setting authenticity [37].

2.4 Principal component analysis

Researchers used the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity for extracting individual factors [61]. The analysis extracted a seven-factor solution, each with eigenvalues above one Figure 4. The KMO was 0.630 indicating a meritorious level based on Kaiser and Rice (1974). The principal component method was analyzed using the SPSS computer package for extracting individual factors. As a result, the 26 factors were grouped and reduced into only seven principals when the rotation converged in their iterations (Table 3). Principal component analysis (PCA) is considered as one of the extraction methods used in many applications, due to its simplicity and efficiency. The SPSS FACTOR program includes different rotation methods [62]. It has three modes of orthogonal rotation (varimax, quartimax, and equamax), and the output depends on the method being chosen because each method differs in how the factors are rotated. Interpretation of variables becomes easier using the Quartimax rotation method because of the greater spread of factor loads for a variable across all factors. But that results in variables being overloaded too much on a single factor. In contrast, the Varimax method increases the dispersion of payloads within factors. Thus, significantly fewer variables are loaded onto each factor, resulting in more explicable combinations of factors [63]. Therefore, Equamax was chosen as it is a combination of the other two approaches due to behaving fairly (erratically). Therefore, it has more interpretable results than other methods [64].

Table 2. Ranking empowering criteria affecting adaptive reuse of heritage buildings )Researchers, 2021)

Table 3. Rotated component matrix

4.png

Figure 4. Seven-factor solution, each with Eigenvalues above one

As a result of the factor analysis studies, all grouped seven factors were studied in detail and given new majors shown in Table 4, to be clearer and easier to use and follow by decision makers.

All major factors are introduced and described as follows:

Table 4. Seven principal components of 26 factors

2.4.1 Heritage value management

The criteria in this group relate to the building's physical characteristics, such as the condition and age of the building, current use, architectural features, structural elements, and physical conditions for exterior texture and indoor finishing. To determine the required level of repair and capital cost, a full survey is required to assess the physical condition of the building and refer if conservative adaptive reuse may not be a viable option in some cases [2]. The adaptive reuse of these buildings must meet the optimization of space use, new functions should follow a planned design and execution qualified to be valued in present and sustainable for future use.

The significance of a place is identified, first by understanding its value, and causes of decay over time; and then by considering the user’s intervention, setting, and context of the place [65].

2.4.2 Integration with the demand of development

Market demand can determine the need for adaptive reuse of old buildings. This conservation type can provide a quick solution to fill in the missing uses into the built environment, as offices, museums, cultural centers, or motels [57].

Heritage building requirements vary by function, country, and location. It is important to inspect the entire building to see how well the future function can meet the requirements. It is necessary to follow protection laws, both at the national, regional, and city levels. Both concerning the building itself where official regulations must be adhered to architectural interventions related to the reuse of the building may affect both architectural solutions and functions, dimensions, technical and sanitary points, etc. The same is true for the formation of the environment [40].

Conservation strategies should aim at protecting the physical structures and basic qualities of historical sites, along with their living resident communities and the preservation of local activities. Sustainable urban conservation must provide conservation projects with appropriate technical and social solutions that serve the different needs and resources within the developing world. Uncoordinated efforts and contradictory approaches to preservation can cause historical and heritage sites to disappear or when turning into unplanned open-air museums, this could be physically enjoyable, but socially lifeless [34].

2.4.3 Environment adaptivity

The preservation of historical buildings, while trying to integrate the surrounding environment, is a reason for the success and safety of conservation principles. So that the building is preserved by adapting to contemporary uses.

Heritage values act as the public interest in places, in any case of ownership. The use of the law, public policy, and public investment are justified to protect that public interest.

Historical and cultural heritage plays a huge role in the tourism development plan. It gives great opportunities for economic, social, and cultural recovery. Information and educational values come from cultural tourism to serve tourists and local residents. The positive value of tourism lies in the improvement of the settlement infrastructure and land. On other hand by increasing awareness and pride in the historical and cultural value [54].

2.4.4 Environmental performance and sustainability

The application of green concepts along with adaptive reuse creates a better solution for neglected heritage buildings in cities. Adaptive reuse doesn’t only protect the building, but it also protects original builders’ efforts and skills. It can conserve different values such as historical values, architectural features, social, economic, and cultural. Therefore, it is an important method of heritage protection. Promoting strategies for sustainable reuse of heritage buildings can be achieved through the beneficial outcomes of adaptive reuse and the intangible values of conservation. By preserving the various features that faithfully reflect the heritage values associated with it, the place can retain its authenticity. Adaptive reuse reactions include environmental sustainability (improving material and resource efficiency), economic sustainability (reducing costs), and social sustainability (a strong memory of place) [4].

Adaptive reuse of historical buildings has gradually appeared in urban conservation, especially, in developing countries. With considering heritage conservation values of the historical buildings and giving the building a present applicable use. Provided that the existing building structure is capable of operation, and adaptive reuse should occupy the upper hand for developers. To improve the long-term sustainability of heritage buildings, and innovative ways be found to case-by-case evaluations and reuse them.

Using effective insulation, heating and low-impact materials can improve the eco-efficiency of buildings. Also, the preservation of streetscapes can be fulfilled, our sense of place maintained and, attention given to the future recyclability of materials during adaptation. Using existing buildings creates the opportunity to form the overall built environment more aesthetic and productive [30].

2.4.5 Public intervention

The knowledge, beliefs, and traditions of different societies are reflected through the historical environment, so it is an important part of their cultural and natural heritage. Which provides a source of identity and continuity for those communities, by creating uniqueness, meaning, and quality for those places. Accordingly, heritage buildings participate in the culture of the community, and the preservation of these buildings can lead to the protection of their original heritage and cultural values [45]. The support and interest of the community are important to promote and support adaptive reuse and improve the use of the building after conversion. Through innovative thinking to incorporate new elements into the existing culture, the local culture can be enhanced, which is a challenge for developers. To achieve better results, both a values-based approach as well as “living heritage” sites must work by engaging a wide range of stakeholders and values.

2.4.6 Adaptation plan

The uniqueness of the location of the heritage buildings, ease of accessibility and public transportation, compatibility within the current surroundings, and neighborhood condition are important factors that help the success of the re-use and revitalization of the heritage neighborhood [43, 66]. As well as the adequacy of public facilities, including public parks and parking lots, schools and hospitals, should follow planned adaptive reuse projects. Additionally, a severe need for determining the required level of annual maintenance, and its cost, according to the technical and structural conditions for heritage buildings [67].

2.4.7 Financial and investment

The high cost of reusing the heritage building is an obstacle to successful reuse. No economic benefit may be considered to retrofit buildings to meet sustainability criteria [68]. Work must be done to enhance cooperation between investors and building users. Financial inducements can be a motivator of adaptive reuse [45]. Governments' review of current policies and the creation of innovative financial incentives are the most important factors in encouraging the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings.