PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR INTEGRATING GREEN BUILDING ELEMENTS INTO HERITAGE CONSERVATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE GEORGE TOWN WORLD HERITAGE SITE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i44.2253Keywords:
green building element, heritage conservation, challenges, strategies, George Town, MalaysiaAbstract
Heritage buildings hold significant architectural, historical and cultural values, yet their conservation increasingly demands alignment with sustainability goals. This study explores the integration of green building elements within heritage conservation, focusing on George Town, Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected experts with relevant professional experience in heritage conservation and green building practices. Interview data were examined using narrative analysis supporting by thematic coding. The findings identified thirteen distinct green building elements currently incorporated into conservation efforts, ten major challenges hindering their integration and nine key strategies supporting successful implementation. By providing evidence-based insights, this study contributes to policy development and industry best practices, guiding practitioners toward more environmentally responsible heritage conservation. It also highlights the need to align green interventions with conservation requirements, sustainability criteria and relevant heritage approval processes while safeguarding heritage authenticity.
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