ADAPTIVE REUSE

Revitalising spaces for modern needs

- By Aditya Desai

As the world's fourth largest economy, steadily making its way to become the third, India has evolved into a rapidly urbanising nation.

However, urbanising too comes with its challenges.

Rapid urbanisation and the country's massive population density cause severe space constraints in the built environment. As cities expand at unprecedented rates, urban centers struggle with limited available land, resulting in cramped living quarters, inadequate infrastructure, and vertical growth through high-rise developments.

Another challenge that the built environment needs to address is sustainability. While modern buildings adopt sustainable practices from the development phase itself, existing buildings often find it difficult to meet present needs.

The solution

Where space constraints and sustainability concerns are mounting, adaptive reuse has emerged as a compelling strategy for the built environment. Rather than demolishing existing structures, this approach breathes new life into them while optimising their functionality for contemporary needs. As cities across India face increasing density and environmental pressures, adaptive reuse offers a path forward that balances economic viability with sustainability and urban resilience.