An investigation into the adaptive re-use of industrial buildings: a case studies approach in Kampala's industrial area.

Abstract

The adaptive reuse of buildings as a strategy for `sustainability has become a common and encouraged trend worldwide. Its growth is greatly credited to a movement that has cut across all construction professionals that are putting cutting carbon emissions and promoting sustainable construction practices at the forefront of their work. This phenomenon has also become a common practice among business owners and developers in Kampala. The rapid economic and population growth in the city has caused business owners to expand or set up establishments often near the city centre. The cost of constructing new structures on prime land in Kampala is however too high hence business owners often resort to converting already existing buildings like residentials to suit their needs. This has led to some businesses adapting to industrial buildings in Kampala’s traditional industrial area as there are several that are obsolete and can be leased at an often-fair price for the floor area they offer. In adapting to these industrial buildings however, most have not addressed the necessary requirements for proper habitation like lighting, thermal comfort, utilities, ventilation and functionality to change these spaces to offer a conducive internal environment. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyse how some of the industrial buildings in Kampala’s industrial area have been adapted to new uses. It was carried out using a case study approach with buildings purposively selected to investigate the design strategies, processes, construction techniques involved, the factors that affect this process as well as analyse how effective the new spaces that had been adapted to their new functions were. The study finally recommends ways of effectively adapting industrial buildings to new uses and how to best go about the whole process.