A process model for industrial heritage adaptive reuse: integrating environmental remediation and structural assessment

Purpose This paper addresses significant geographical and phase-based gaps in adaptive reuse models for industrial heritage, which faces challenges such as pollution and structural decay. It proposes a novel conceptual model integrating environmental remediation and structural capacity into a four-phase process for sustainable urban revitalization. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of 106 peer-reviewed articles (2010–2024) was conducted using the PRISMA approach. Literature was analyzed across adaptive reuse phases to identify trends, gaps and best practices. Findings Analysis reveals a 78% geographical bias toward Europe, North America and East Asia, and a research imbalance with 48% of studies on preparation and only 12% on implementation. Contamination management constitutes 30–40% of remediation costs, and structural complexity requires advanced engineering in 60% of retrofits. These insights inform the proposed four-phase, 11-sub-phase model. Research limitations/implications Reliance on English-language sources and inherent geographical bias limit generalizability, suggesting future empirical testing in diverse contexts such as the Global South. Practical implications The model provides actionable guidance for architects, planners and policymakers to prioritize remediation and structural assessment, fostering economic benefits such as property value increases and aligning with sustainability goals. Originality/value This research develops a dedicated adaptive reuse process model for industrial heritage, extending existing frameworks by integrating industry-specific environmental and structural criteria as core components to bridge theoretical and practical gaps.