Adaptive Reuse to Enrich City Cultural Life

Adaptive reuse is a strategy of converting an existing building to a new kind of function or activities. It is a strategy that supports the smart growth of the city with its infill development while also serving as a historic and cultural preservation method. Grcheva (2019), presented a precedent of the adaptive reuse of an existing building located in the former military centre in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. Along with the National Strategies on Creative Industry, a Centre for Design and Innovation was proposed that would utilise one of the buildings in this heritage area.

After a structural reinforcement process while preserving the main form and visual character, the building known as “Public Room” has been used by locals as a place for various social activities. The adaptive reuse project successfully brings back the life of the city area that has started to fade from people’s memory. It is a thriving place for active citizen engagement that enriches the city's cultural life.

Reference:

Grcheva, O. (2019). Cultural Benefits of Former Military Buildings’ Reuse: Public Room, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia. Journal of Tourism Leisure and Hospitality, 1(2), 76-84.

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