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Adaptive reuse: a review and analysis of its relationship to the 3 Es of sustainability

Rayman Mohamed (Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
Robin Boyle (Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA)
Allan Yilun Yang (U-Haul International Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, USA)
Joseph Tangari (Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 7 March 2017

2480

Abstract

Purpose

There is a resurgence in the adaptive reuse of buildings. However, there is a lack of literature that pulls all the strands of adaptive reuse together. Furthermore, despite claims that it is motivated by the 3 Es of the sustainability triangle, the authors could find no research that critiques adaptive reuse from this perspective. The purpose of this study is to review the literature to collect pertinent information in a single place and to critically examine whether adaptive reuse incorporates the 3 Es of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach of this study is a literature review and a critical analysis of the practice of adaptive review.

Findings

Adaptive reuse is concentrated at the environment and economic development corners of the sustainability triangle. There are positive interactions along this edge. The authors attribute this to the fact that the same actors – the private and public sectors – are located at both corners of the triangle, and they have shared interests. This is different from the wider sustainability literature, where major actors at each corner are different and tensions along each edge are resolved through mediation. In adaptive reuse, there are no actors at the equity corner of the triangle, and there are minimal attempts to address concerns along the equity–environment and equity–economic development edges of the triangle.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on the USA.

Practical implications

This study suggests policy interventions that address the equity issue in adaptive reuse.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide a succinct review of contemporary adaptive reuse and that places the practice within the framework of the 3 Es of sustainability.

Keywords

Citation

Mohamed, R., Boyle, R., Yang, A.Y. and Tangari, J. (2017), "Adaptive reuse: a review and analysis of its relationship to the 3 Es of sustainability", Facilities, Vol. 35 No. 3/4, pp. 138-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-12-2014-0108

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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