Formulating a Priority Framework for the Conservation of Heritage Structures to Function as Urban Catalysts for Regeneration

Urban heritage buildings possess significant potential to serve as catalysts for urban regeneration while preserving their historical value. This research aims to establish a comprehensive set of criteria[s] for identifying heritage buildings that can act as urban catalysts and foster regeneration. Alongside these criteria, a detailed checklist of parameters has been developed to guide researchers, policymakers, and communities in evaluating and prioritizing heritage buildings for intervention. The checklist is designed to help urban planners, and researchers identify heritage structures that meet essential criteria for placemaking and redevelopment, enabling the determination of priority buildings for action and facilitating the efficient allocation of resources. The framework was developed through an extensive review of literature, which included insights from books, research papers, articles, and doctoral thesis. Initially, four thematic lists were created, focusing on (1) Urban Regeneration, (2) Urban Conservation, (3) Built Heritage Conservation, and (4) Built Urban Catalysts. These lists were reviewed, refined, and consolidated into a definitive set of criteria to identify heritage buildings that could serve as urban catalysts. Based on these criteria, quantifiable parameters were generated to establish a priority list for intervention in a group of heritage structures. This comprehensive framework provides a practical guide for governments and conservation agencies to plan targeted interventions within budgetary constraints while also enabling communities to assess and utilize their heritage assets for sustainable development. By bridging the gap between conservation and urban regeneration, this study contributes to both the conservation of historical heritage and the promotion of sustainable urban growth.