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A case study of facilities management for heritage building revitalisation

Huiying Hou (School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Faculty of Business Administration,Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Hao Wu (Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia)

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 3 October 2019

Issue publication date: 5 February 2020

1417

Abstract

Purpose

Heritage building revitalisation (HBR) is gaining its popularity to intervene historic buildings/sites for their conservation and reuse. Given that multiple stake-holding situations are often involved in HBR process, coordination or managerial problem may hinder versatile facilities design for operational efficiency while preserving the heritage values. To address the coordination challenge, this paper aims to examine the relevance and relative advantages of a FM-led revitalisation strategy for HBR, which the existing literature has not yet addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a case study approach to a major HBR project in Hong Kong. This study conducted field observations and interviews, which were combined with publicly accessible policy and project information to identify stakeholders’ opinions and specifications for the role of facilities management (FM) in HBR project process.

Findings

The paper reveals the role of FM in coordinating the HBR process for the benefits of stakeholders and general community. FM allows a balanced approach to heritage building adaptation, sound user experience and broader community effects. This enables efficient decision-making, creative facilities design and effective public engagement. FM’s strength of fitting in the urban renewal context illustrates its comparative advantage for heritage conservation and revitalisation management.

Research limitations/implications

This study develops a conceptual map to identify FM’s role in heritage building conservation and revitalisation. This will enhance process evaluation and project decision-making that are central to heritage conservation policy and HBR intervention practices.

Originality/value

This study examines relevance and advantage of FM-led business strategy for HBR, which the existing literature has not yet addressed. It discovers FM’s strategic roles and initiates a conceptual framework for evaluation of heritage conservation management.

Keywords

Citation

Hou, H. and Wu, H. (2020), "A case study of facilities management for heritage building revitalisation", Facilities, Vol. 38 No. 3/4, pp. 201-217. https://doi.org/10.1108/F-02-2019-0020

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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