Cansu Inal Kaynar
Examining the Effect of Reusing Heritage Buildings on the Resilience of Small-Town Centres in New Zealand
Internationally, earthquake resilience is one of the most challenging issues for heritage buildings in earthquake-prone regions. Retaining essential aspects of heritage whilst ensuring adequate resilience can be difficult, particularly in towns with poor economies. New Zealand (NZ) has many listed heritage buildings in small-town centres, mostly built before the building code following the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake. They are rated earthquake-prone, leading to underuse. This affects their conservation and the town’s overall earthquake resilience, creating a negative spiral of town vitality and economy. This research investigates the potential of adaptive reuse as a strategy for enhancing the resilience of NZ small towns, focusing on heritage buildings. It examines the criteria for successful adaptive reuse projects and their impact on the social, environmental, and structural fabric. An adaptive reuse evaluation criteria matrix is developed, highlighting the multifaceted potential to improve sustainability and overall project quality. By considering factors beyond basic functionality, such as community benefit and cultural heritage preservation, adaptive reuse emerges as a powerful tool for creating more resilient, vibrant, and historically connected communities in small towns. This research aims to broaden the perspective of the construction field, equipping stakeholders with the insights needed to make informed decisions that yield societal rather than just financial optimal outcomes.
Supervisors
Dr. Nigel Isaacs, Professor Andre Brown, & Professor Ilan Noy
Publications
Inal Kaynar, C., et al., An Investigation of the Effective Reuse of Heritage Buildings to Achieve Resilience in New Zealand Small Towns: A Literature Review, in 56th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ASA) 2023, D.M. Dewsbury, et al., Editors. 2023, ASA, Australia: Launceston, Australia. p. 78- 92.
Conference Presentations
QuakeCoRE Annual Meeting 2024
56th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association (ASA), 2023
QuakeCoRE Annual Meeting 2023
ICOMOS New Zealand Annual meeting 2023
Qualifications
Yildiz Technical University, Turkiye - Master of Architectural Conservation and Restoration
Yildiz Technical University - Bachelor of Architecture
Awards
Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE PhD Scholar