The revitalization of endangered heritage buildings in developing countries: A Decision-making framework for investment and determining highest and best use in Egypt
Description
Egypt's major cities, especially Alexandria and Cairo, have been losing heritage and historical buildings due to neglect and misuse, prompting non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and researchers to advocate for adaptive reuse strategies to preserve the cities' heritage and identity. Adaptive reuse involves changing, modifying, or repurposing an existing space based on multiple factors, such as community needs, the business model, location, and proximity to facilities and services. This study identifies the benefits and methodology of investing in heritage buildings and the factors that help investors decide on project function, type, scale, and category. Investing in heritage buildings has many tangible and non-tangible benefits, many of which can be debated on relevance and priority, but what is certain is that they all contribute significantly to the financial return for such projects, making them challenging yet feasible and attractive for investors with a vision and appreciation of the value introduced by authenticity, uniqueness, and sustainability. Also, the basis of asset evaluation in terms of the above factors and how it could be achieved based on different analyses on different levels, such as understanding market value, old and current property prices and sales, market demand and direction, specific acquisition opportunities, target clients, age groups, and socioeconomic status, This paper addresses Egyptian case studies, identifies stakeholder roles, and concludes with establishing development guidelines and decision-making parameters that significantly influence architectural project design and functions in buildings, creating the ideal mixed-use development. The findings of this research are guidelines for the investment in heritage buildings and a developed framework for the decision-making process that assists different stakeholders in determining the highest and best use for adaptive reuse projects in downtown areas in Egypt in particular and in developing countries in general, as such a framework was intended to be generalized in order to potentially be implemented in different settings. The data provided in this dataset includes: - All figures seen in the research paper - Detailed data from the case studies (Avierino, Little Venice, and Ouzonnian building) such as drawings and photos from before and after development - Maps and their sources (Photoshop) of the downtown areas of the major cities of Alexandria and Cairo - Axonometric diagrams for the 3 case studies and their source (pptx) Please contact the author if you require any further information or have any inquiries at ar.mohanned.selim@gmail.com.
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The data was developed following professional practice in the field of Heritage Preservation and Adaptive Reuse, this practical knowledge helped the author develop the framework and guidelines of this study as they were implemented in the field and were proven successful and feasible. The tools used were as follows: - Microsoft Office (PowerPoint and Word) for tables and diagrams - AutoCAD (Autodesk) for 2D drawings used in Axonometric Diagrams - Photoshop for presentation and post-production of diagrams - Sketchup and Twinmotion for simple renders and 3D models In order to reproduce this study their are a couple of aspects: - Replicate the findings of this research This could be done by the implementation of the provided guidelines and framework when deciding to invest and redevelop heritage buildings in similar contexts and analyzing the proposed outcomes. This could be done also by adopting the comparative approach between multiple buildings in order to decide on which building to redevelop or which one to prioritize. - Further developing the findings of this research This could be done by implementing the findings and incorporating them through a digital tool such as a computer software, or an AI model which builds on those findings. Another way of further developing this research is through adding other aspects that have an impact on the decision-making process which could be introduced in different countries and contexts. Also, this research could be used as a comparison tool between developing countries and developed countries which could potentially introduce different perspectives on investment and highest and best use decisions. Finally, other researchers could focus on certain aspects found throughout this research in order to develop a thorough approach regarding the broad guidelines mentioned in the study.