Adaptive reuse of a military dependents’ village in Taipei: integrating living heritage with Net Zero urban regeneration through creative industries

This study explores the adaptive reuse of Taiwan’s military dependents’ villages as a strategy to integrate cultural heritage preservation with Net Zero urban regeneration. Using the Four-Four South Village in Taipei as a case study, it examines how creative workers engage with living heritage through design innovation, cultural expression, and market activity. Data were collected from 15 semi-structured interviews and participant observation, and analyzed using a dual-dimensional attitude measurement framework that assesses awareness of cultural damage (building decay, infrastructure strain, and loss of historic character) alongside awareness of creative activation (cultural identity, design innovation, and consumption practices). The findings indicate that while creative workers contribute significantly to innovation and economic vitality, the integration of cultural narratives remains limited, constraining the site’s potential for heritage-led sustainable regeneration. A smaller number of cases illustrate how embedding heritage identity with sustainable practices can align adaptive reuse with embodied carbon reduction and cultural continuity. The study develops a transferable approach that lays the groundwork for a Culture – Climate Integration Framework linking heritage conservation with urban regeneration, and calls for policies and design guidelines that combine cultural authenticity with low-carbon strategies to transform living heritage sites into climate-conscious creative hubs across Asia.