Sindh Univ. Res. Jour. (Sci. Ser.) Vol. 50 (3D) 194-198 (2018) SINDH UNIVERSITY RESEARCH JOURNAL (SCIENCE SERIES) Analytical Study on the Viability of Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Building, Case study of Asia Heritage Row, Kuala Lumpur B. BASHA, A. R. SOOMRO, F. ABDULLAH Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University, Malaysia Received 10th June 2018 and Revised 15th September 2018 Abstract: Historic buildings maintain the local characteristics and preserve the culture and history of a country. It is mainly through conservation of heritage buildings that we can pass on currently identified cultural significances to future generations. Adaptive Reuse is an effective way to preserve building heritage, especially when the building is no longer able to function its original purpose. In the pursuit of sustainable development, adaptive reuse holds different dimensions of sustainability. The aim of this study is to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse application to historic buildings as an approach to achieve .Sustainable Heritage. In this regard in this paper, an attempt has been made to explore adaptive reuse with .sustainability through literature review. After that, the case study of Asian Heritage Row located in Doraisami Street and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur has been used for the hypothesis testing. The variable measured as parameters in achieving .sustainability are categorized into cultural, aesthetical, .and human comfort. Data collections were obtained from case study, survey questionnaires at Asia Heritage Row and literature review. The associations between variables are examined by correlation. The findings of this research have presented facts that the successful adaptive reuses of historical buildings hold .value approach. It preserves the heritage significance of a building, ensures its sustainability, and generates the building into a .interaction place. By the means of adaptive reuse, the .life of the inhabitants in historical buildings at Kuala Lumpur can be preserved sustainably in the end and passed on to future generations. Keywords: Adaptive Reuse, .Sustainability, Sustainable Preservation, Built Heritage, Architecture, Historic Building 1. INTRODUCTION The Heritage is something that is passed down from one generation to another. Thus, the identity of a people and nation is largely defined by their heritage and one of the heritage objects, which have to be kept for the future generations, is heritage building. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) considered heritage building as a tangible man made environment with its cultural (heritage) significances. It is mainly through conservation of heritage buildings that we can pass on to future generations what is currently identified as being of cultural significance today. An important phrase to consider when discussing cultural conservation is "adaptive reuse," the process of retrofitting building for new uses, which allows structures to retain their historic integrity, while providing for the occupants' modern needs3. Where a building is no long able to function with its original purpose, a readapted use may be the only way to preserve its heritage significance. 2. BACKGROUND Preserving and reusing historic buildings has longterm benefits for the communities that value them. If adaptive reuse is applied well, it can restore the heritage values of the building, help to ensure its survival, and become a place for community .interaction. New relationships between human and architecture is adapted through reuse. Without understanding and prioritizing .sustainability, buildings, no matter how environmentally and economically sustainable, are not truly sustainable. Several initiatives of adaptive reuse have been applied to heritage buildings throughout the world. In Malaysian Context, since 1990’s until 2000, the government, through the Department of National Heritage has taken several initiatives to protect and conserve the Malaysian heritage buildings. Many historic buildings have been preserved and conserved while others have been converted to become premises for a bank, restaurant, information centre or a printing office. The adaptive re-use of the Central Market building, in 1986, in Kuala Lumpur has opened the eye of all Malaysian on local heritage building conservation. In addition, building conservation has long been of concern, although its popular application is relatively recent in origin, particularly in Malaysia5. The conservation in Malaysia is guided by the three types of laws and regulations relating to the conservation of historic buildings: Johore Enacment 1988, Malacca Enactment 1988, and National Heritage Act 2005. Asia Heritage Row, located in Doraisami B. BASHA et al., Street and Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Kuala Lumpur, is a classic example of adaptive reuse applied to valuable heritage building in Malaysia. Asia Heritage Row was 80-year old pre-war houses, that were once abandoned with dilapidated structures After adaptive reuse application, the building was turned into elegant and charming restaurants, cafes, and bars; that contributing not only in maintaining the heritage and identity of the place, but also increasing the activities around the area 3. RESEARCH FRAME WORK In the pursuit of the sustainable development, .sustainability has been the new parameter to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse. In this regard, an attempt has been made as a main objective to investigate the viability of adaptive reuse and its .sustainability. Asia Heritage Row is used for the hypothesis testing. The variables that are measured as parameters in achieving .sustainability are categorized into cultural, aesthetical, .and human comfort. 195 five-point liker’s scale is used. The values in the scale are as follows: 1-Strongly Disagree, 2Disagree, 3-Neutral, 4- Agree, and 5- Strongly Agree. The data is analysed by determining the statically reliable relationship between adaptive reuse and .sustainability parameters. This research uses parametrical statistical data collection and consequently parametric analyses have been applied. Initial analysis comprises a variety analysis to determine the baseline data for the respondents. The second phase consists of determining that exist statistically reliable relationship between adaptive reuse and .sustainability parameters6. The association between variables are examined by correlation. (Fig. 1) shows the independent and dependent variables. 4. DISCUSSION 4.1 Correlation analysis Correlation analysis is the study of the relationship between variables. Correlation is a measure of strength of the linear relationship between independent variable and dependent variable. The aim of correlation is to evaluate the degree of relationship of co variation that exists between them. The value of correlation coefficient is between -1.0 to 1.0. Thus, Table 1 shows the Pearson Product Moment Correlation between independent variables (Cultural Value; Aesthetical Value; Sense of Community; and Sense of Comfort) and depended variable (Adaptive Reuse). Table 1: Pearson Product Moment Correlation for Independent Variables Fig.1: Independent and Dependent Variables The data is mainly collected from literature review, case study and questionnaires distributed to the users of the case study area. 150 respondents, as end users of the building, were asked on the main important factors in .sustainability. For measuring the satisfaction levels, a Construct Correlation of Coefficient, r p-value 1. Cultural Value (X1) 0.597 0.000 2. Aesthetical Value (X2) 0.234 0.004 3. Sense of Community (X3) 0.185 0.024 4. Sense of Comfort (X4) 0.142 0.083 (Table 1): shows the table of Pearson product moment correlation for independent variables (Cultural Value(X1), Aesthetical Value (X2), Sense of Community (X3), and Sense of Comfort (X4)) with Adaptive Reuse. Since, the p-value for the independent variables is less than α=0.10 this indicates that the independent variables (Cultural Value (X1), Aesthetical Value (X2), Sense of Community (X3), and Sense of Comfort (X4)) are statistically significant on adaptive reuse of historical buildings. Analytical Study on the Viability... Thus, there are the interpretations of correlation: 1. For variables Cultural Value (X1) Since r = 0.597, there is a moderate positive relationship between Cultural Value and Adaptive Reuse. 2. For variables Aesthetical Value (X2) Since r = 0.234, there is a weak positive relationship between Aesthetical Value and Adaptive Reuse. 3. For variables Sense of Community (X3) Since r = 0.185, there is a weak positive relationship between Sense of Community and Adaptive Reuse. 4. For variables Sense of Comfort (X4) Since r = 0.142, there is a weak positive relationship between Sense of Comfort and Adaptive Reuse. 4.2 Scatter Diagram (Fig. 2): shows the matrix scatter plot of independent variables (Cultural Value (X1), Aesthetical Value (X2), Sense of Community (X3), and Sense of Comfort (X4)) and dependent variable (Adaptive Reuse). From the matrix scatter plot above, there is positive linear relationship between independent variables (Cultural Value (X1), Aesthetical Value (X2), Sense of Community (X3), and Sense of Comfort (X4)) and dependent variable (Adaptive Reuse) since all directions are moving upward. 196 variables was added, all four variables (cultural, aesthetical, community, comfort) in the model are checked to see if their significance has been reduced below the tolerance value. The variables are removed if it is non-significant. The model is presented as follows in the (Table 2): Table 2: Final Model for Variables Significant Independent Variables Involved Model Final Model Cultural Value (X1) (Table 2): shows the independent variables for the final model after using the Stepwise Selection procedure the Cultural Values are statistically significant on an adaptive reuse of historical buildings. 4.3.2 Overall F-test- Test for Significance of Regression Model (Table 3): below shows the results testing of the F-test. Table 3: The results testing of the F-test Model Sum of Squares Degree of Freedom Mean Square F pvalue Regression 12.320 1 12.320 82.126 < 0.000 Residual 22.202 148 0.150 Total 34.522 149 The tabulated value for F-test was 82.126 with degree of freedom for regression and residual were 1 and 148 respectively. Since the p-value was less than alpha value, α=0.05, it indicates that the regression model was statistically significant and the null hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, the regression model is significant in this study. Fig. 2: Scatter diagram for Correlation Matrix between Dependent Variable and Independent Variables. 4.3 MULTIPLE LINEAR REGRESSION ANALYSIS 4.3.1 Stepwise Selection Procedure Stepwise selection procedure in SPSS 22.0 has been used to obtain the models in Multiple Linear Regression analysis. The Stepwise selection procedure is combination of the backward and forward techniques. The stepwise selection begins with the backward selection so that each step in which the independent 4.3.3 Coefficient of Multiple Determinations, R2 Table 4: below table shows the coefficient of multiple determinations, R2. Table 4: Coefficient of Multiple Determinations Independent Variables R2 Cultural Value (X1) 0.357 The value of R2 was 0.357 that strongly fits. Meaning that, 35.70% of the total variations of the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings were explained by the Cultural value. The balance of 64.30% was explained by others factors. B. BASHA et al., 197 4.3.4 Significance of Individual Predictor Variables (Table 5) below shows the significant for the Independent variables. Table 5: The Significant for the Independent Variables. B=Beta Coefficient Variables B Standard Error t-statistic p-value (Constant) 1.028 0.328 3.137 0.002 Cultural Value (X1) 0.736 0.081 9.062 0.000 4.3.6.2 Significance of Individual Predictor Variables (Table 7): shows the significant for Independent Variables. Based on the (Table 5-10) shows, the p-value of Cultural Value is less than α=0.05. This indicates that, there is a significant relationship between Cultural Value on Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. 4.3.5 Estimated Regression Equation Given below is the estimated regression equation model: Y = 1.028+0.736X1 Where: X1=Cultural Value Furthermore, additional information can be obtained from the coefficient value. The adaptive reuse of historical buildings is expected to be increased by 1.028 when there is no change in Cultural Value on Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. One unit increase in the score of Cultural Value, the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings will increase by 0.736 when all the other variables are holding constant. 4.3.6 Simple Linear Regression Analysis According to Kirchner (2001), Simple linear regression is the most commonly used technique for determining how one variable of interest (the response variable) is affected by changes in another variable (the explanatory variable).The terms "response" and "explanatory" mean the same thing as "dependent" and "independent". Simple Linear regression analysis was used to answer questions. Firstly, .life variable was checked to see if its significance has been reduced below the tolerance value. 4.3.6.1 Overall F-test- Test for Significance of Regression Model (Table 6): below shows the results testing of the F-test. Table 6: The results testing of the F-test Model Sum of Squares Regression 0.041 Degree of Freedom 1 Residual 34.481 148 Total 34.522 149 Mean Square F pvalue 0.041 0.176 0.675 0.233 The tabulated value for F-test was 0.176 with degree of freedom for regression and residual were 1 and 148 respectively. Since the p-value was greater than alpha value, α=0.05, it indicates that the regression model not statistically significant and the null hypothesis was accepted. Therefore, the regression model is not significant in this study. the Table 7: The Significant for the Independent Variables Variables B Standard Error t-statistic p-value (Constant) 3.793 0.456 8.309 0.000 0.119 0.420 0.675 Sense of Community 0.050 (X3) B=Beta Coefficient (Table 7) shows, the p-value of Sense of Community is greater than α=0.05. This indicates that, there is no significant relationship between Sense of Community on Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. Therefore, the Sense of Community does not affect the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. After that, Human comfort variable was checked to see if its significance has been reduced below the tolerance value. 4.3.7 Overall F-test- Test for Significance of Regression Model (Table 8) below shows the results testing of the Ftest were presented. Table 8: The results testing of the F-test Model Sum of Squares Degree of Freedom Mea n Squa re F pvalue Regression 0.015 1 0.015 0.064 0.800 Residual 34.507 148 0.233 Total 34.522 149 The tabulated value for F-test was 0.064 with degree of freedom for regression and residual were 1 and 148 respectively. Since the p-value was greater than alpha value, α=0.05, it indicates that the regression model not statistically significant and the null hypothesis was accepted. Therefore, the regression model is not significant in this study. Analytical Study on the Viability... 198 4.3.8 Significance of Individual Predictor Variables (Table 9): below shows the significant for the Independent variables. Table 9: The Significant for the Independent Variables. B=Beta Coefficient Variables B Standard Error t-statistic p-value (Constant) 4.073 0.353 11.533 0.000 Sense of Comfort (X3) -0.022 0.088 -0.254 0.800 Based on the Table 9: shows, the p-value of Sense of Community are greater than α=0.05. This indicates that, there is no significant relationship between Sense of Comfort on Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. Therefore, the Sense of Comfort does not affect the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings. 5. CONCLUSION As a conclusion, it is found that Asia Heritage Row has a feasible input towards .sustainability. End users of Asia Heritage Row and the community around the site agreed to be comfortable with adaptive reuse of the old historic buildings. Based on the results, Asia Heritage Row adaptive reuse is most significant in terms of cultural values and lesser in terms of human comfort level, or .life of the community. Although the overall responses on Asia Heritage Row were complimentary on .sustainability, however, there are few aspects need to be reconsidered and improve for the future projects. The component in which Asia Heritage is lacking is in the .life and human comfort aspect. Most of the activities held inside the buildings are commercial (such as restaurants, clubs) and religion considerations are absent. Few of the restaurants offer alcohol at night, the clubs will hold dancing and singing. Muslim families are unable to attend under this atmosphere. Another element found from observation is that the activities do not involve people of all ages. Most of the users of the buildings vary between the ages 20-55. Consequently, children and elderly somehow do not visit the place. Another weakness found during observation was absence of the design consideration for people with special needs, such as ramp, lift, and signboards. All the designers, architects, urban planners, and policy makers should be to create a place where people want to be, and live longer. The upcoming approaches need to consider the .aspect crucially in decision-making process. It is recommended, that an earlier investigation must take place before embarking in any future adaptive reuse projects. Public should be involved in decision-making process seriously. REFERENCES: Prentice, R., (1994)..Perceptual deterrents to visiting museums and other heritage attractions. Journal of Museum UNESCO. (2007) Asia conserved, lessons learned from the UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage awards for culture heritage conservation (2000- 2004). Available from http://www.unescobkk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/cultu re/cultureMain/publications/Asia%20Conserved%20%2 8For%20Web%29.pdf. Clark, D. 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