SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSFORMATION RETHINKING BUILT ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ADAPTIVE REUSE TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The built environment in the industry responsible for giving of most CO2 gas emissions and has the biggest environmental load of any industry in South Africa, yet in the 21st century with its consumer culture buildings which physical lifespan has not yet depleted get demolished and new ones built without adaptive reuse considerations (UNEP, 2009:9).

Adaptive reuse techniques are the most effective way to reduce the environmental load of a building but often it is overlooked because of its daunting nature and professionals not knowing how to approach it (Conejos, Langston, & Smith, 2012: 37).

Recent sustainability standards encourage built professionals to reuse and reduce the environmental load of the construction industry through adaptive reuse.

The aim of this dissertation is to research and develop architectural adaptive reuse technology and techniques to replace traditional demolishing and new built practice, and reuse technology for circular material lifespan in architecture. The intention is to develop a system of adapting and reusing built structure.