Adaptive reuse challenges of Jordan’s heritage buildings: a critical review

Abstract

This study addresses the challenges of adaptive reuse in heritage buildings in Jordan. Despite the importance of preserving heritage buildings, particularly given their cultural and historical significance, there is a lack of scholarly investigation into the specific challenges faced in their adaptive reuse in Jordan. This research aims to identify and analyse these challenges to provide insights for policymakers, preservationists, and urban planners. Using they Fuzzy Delphi Method, 10 conservationists specialising in heritage buildings in Jordan were consulted to identify six critical obstacles: scarcity of skilled contractors, financial burdens, lack of awareness among building owners, investment risks, legal constraints, and management challenges. Recognising and ameliorating these identified barriers emerge as imperative prerequisites for fostering the sustainable development of Jordan’s architectural heritage and catalysing the proliferation of adaptive reuse practices within the regional milieu.

Keywords

• Urban Jordan
• adaptive reuse
• heritage buildings
• sustainable urban development
• SDGs
• Fuzzy Delphi Method