Date of this Version Building adaptive reuse is an important
global topic. In the context of sustainable development and the
effects of climate change caused by previous disregard for our
environment, adaptive reuse has significant implications. This
paper aims to examine how the construction industry can
reposition itself to increase focus on the revitalization of
existing buildings as an alternative to demolition and
replacement. The paper reports on current research undertaken in
Australia as part of a nationally-funded program in
collaboration with industry, proposes a new model for early
identification of adaptive reuse potential, tests this model
with case study data, and looks at the social advantage from
making better use of what we already have. The paper proposes
that adaptive reuse needs to be planned at the outset, and if
this is done wisely and routinely, it will provide a means of
realizing sustainability objectives without reducing investment
levels or economic viability for the industry. In fa