Adaptive Reuse of Heritage: Observations from Flanders

Abstract

Adaptive reuse, which is the process of altering an existing building for a new or continued use, has became a crossing between architecture and conservation. Not only is it an important aspect of the architectural practice in Europe today, but the the field of heritage conservation, which traditionally occupies the leading position in Europe, is also shifting its focus from strict restoration towards reuse and, modest, adaptations. This article elaborates on the role of adaptive reuse by positioning the phenomenon from a historical perspective and then introduces the contemporary European policy. The current policy and practice in Flanders are elaborated through case analysis and the future of the discipline and the influence of other cultural perspectives are expounded here.