Page 13 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Suzhou heritage building reuse

conditions of the heritage building, with the appropriate 3.3. Technology adaptation: Assets feedback to
mode of operation and feedback to the heritage building heritage
itself using adaptive design. This feedback process, On completing the aforementioned two transformations
which includes management and technical support, is of heritage, the final component of technology support
crucial. Consequently, Suzhou’s pathway for the reuse of becomes indispensable (Ru, 2007). Leveraging modern
heritage buildings can be divided into three key steps: technology and techniques, heritage buildings can be
value construction (heritage converted into resources), more effectively conserved and utilized, leading to
benefits operation (resources converted into assets), and improved operational efficiency and management. These
technology adaptation (assets feedback to heritage).
efforts positively impact the heritage buildings themselves
3.1. Value construction: Heritage converted into (ICOMOS, 2011). Suzhou has established a regulatory
resources framework to ensure that the adaptive reuse of historic
buildings adheres to relevant laws and regulations. It has also
The initial step in the reuse of heritage buildings involves created a platform for dialogue and collaboration among
constructing values and transforming heritage into stakeholders, fostering consensus formation. Throughout
resources. This conversion process entails assessing the process of reusing heritage buildings, Suzhou has
the potential of each heritage building, developing a actively embraced advanced technical and technological
comprehensive understanding of its value, and formulating tools. Examples include the utilization of digital
strategies to optimize its value and align it with urban technology and intelligent systems for the conservation
regeneration objectives. Suzhou has conducted extensive and management of heritage buildings, enabling digital
research and studies to identify the significance and value display and intelligent operations within these structures.
of each heritage building. Once the diverse values of the In addition, Suzhou has increased its investment in
heritage buildings have been determined, conservation environmental protection and energy conservation,
and utilization strategies are devised to maximize these aiming to achieve sustainable and environmental-friendly
values and align them with the requirements of urban
regeneration (Wu, 2006). This process involves positioning operations within heritage buildings.
and planning the heritage buildings, as well as identifying By following this reuse pathway, Suzhou’s heritage
the most suitable reuse options and utilization approaches buildings can be successfully adapted to contemporary
for each building, considering their historical and cultural development while retaining their historical integrity,
values, location within the city, and economic development thereby contributing to the revitalization of the city.
potential. On the whole, the reuse of heritage buildings in Suzhou
exemplifies a harmonious balance between the “specimen”
3.2. Benefits operation: Resources converted into and “living” values of heritage. It effectively combines three
assets key dimensions: value construction, benefits operation,
Building on the initial step, the subsequent phase focuses on and technical adaptation, fostering positive interaction
converting heritage resources into heritage assets through between the conservation and use of heritage buildings and
the operation of heritage buildings. This second conversion urban regeneration. In future development, it is necessary
process necessitates the development of appropriate to maintain focus on balancing the contradictions
operational models and management processes that between the “specimen” and “living” values of heritage
maximize the benefits of heritage buildings while meeting buildings, as well as managing the relationship between
the demands of urban regeneration (Wang, 2018). Suzhou different stakeholders’ interests. This approach ensures the
has implemented suitable operating models for different protection of heritage buildings while fostering sustainable
types of heritage buildings, considering their unique urban development (Figure 1).
characteristics and historical context. Examples include
leasing, sale, and cooperative development. In addition, 4. Effectiveness of reuse pathways of
a comprehensive management system and process are heritage buildings in Suzhou: Value
established to ensure the daily operation and maintenance construction as case study
of heritage buildings, guaranteeing their long-term use
and value. Furthermore, this approach takes into account 4.1. Sampling matrix based on value construction
potential risks and challenges that heritage buildings may To verify the effectiveness of the reuse pathway of Suzhou’s
encounter during operation, leading to the development of heritage buildings, this study examined a substantial
appropriate risk control measures to ensure effective and number of reuse projects spanning the past decade. Given
sustainable reuse. the extensive pool of potential cases, specific criteria such

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2158