Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings in Cultural Tourism: A Multi-Layered Design-Tourism Interface Framework from Kota Lama Surabaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29303/intour.v5i1.2994Keywords:
Adaptive reuse, Cultural tourism, Heritage buildings, Spatial design, Tourism experienceAbstract
Historic urban heritage areas are key resources for cultural tourism but often face challenges of functional obsolescence and underutilization. Existing studies, however, often examine adaptive reuse from architectural or tourism perspectives separately, with limited integration between these dimensions. This study examined how design-based adaptive reuse of heritage buildings contributes to cultural tourism development in Kota Lama Surabaya by analyzing functional repositioning, design mediation, and tourism value structuring as interconnected processes shaping tourism outcomes. A qualitative multi-case study approach was employed, focusing on four heritage buildings representing different cultural zones. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, and analyzed using within-case and cross-case comparative methods. The findings reveal that adaptive reuse operates as an integrated interaction-based system rather than a linear transformation. Functional repositioning redefines the role of heritage buildings within socio-economic and tourism systems, while design mediation translates these changes into spatial experiences and cultural narratives. Tourism value emerges through the interplay of economic, experiential, and symbolic dimensions, which are often characterized by inherent tensions. This study proposes a multi-layered design-tourism interface framework, demonstrating that the effectiveness of adaptive reuse depends on the alignment between function, design, and value. Through integrating design and tourism perspectives, the study contributes to adaptive reuse literature by conceptualizing heritage transformation as an interconnected socio-spatial and experiential process within tourism systems.
References
Agapito, D., Mendes, J.D., & Valle, P.O. (2013). Exploring the conceptualization of the sensory dimension of tourist experiences. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 2, 62-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JDMM.2013.03.001
Andrade, M.J., Jiménez-Morales, E., RodrÃguez-Ramos, R., & MartÃnez-RamÃrez, P. (2024). Reuse of port industrial heritage in tourist cities: Shipyards as case studies. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 13(1), 164-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2023.09.005
Ashworth, G.J. (2011). Preservation, conservation and heritage: Approaches to the past in the present through the built environment. Asian Anthropology, 10, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/1683478X.2011.10552601
Bastiaansen, M., Lub, X. D., Mitas, O., Jung, T., Han, D.-I., Passos-Ascencao, M., Moilanen, T., Smit, B., & Wim, S. (2019). Emotions as core building blocks of an experience. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 31(2), 651-668. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-11-2017-0761
Bigné, E., Fuentes-Medina, M.L., & Morini-Marrero, S. (2020). Memorable tourist experiences versus ordinary tourist experiences analysed through user-generated content. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 45, 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JHTM.2020.08.019
Bullen, P.A. & Love, P.E.D. (2011). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Structural Survey, 29, 411-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630801111182439
Campos, A. C., Mendes, J., do Valle, P. O., & Scott, N. (2018). Co-creation of tourist experiences: A literature review. Current Issues in Tourism, 21(4), 369-400. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2015.1081158
Creswell, J.W. & Poth, C.N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design choosing among five approaches (4th Ed.). SAGE Publications.
Dodds, R., & Butler, R. (2019). Overtourism: Issues, realities and solutions. De Gruyter.
Foster, G. (2020). Circular economy strategies for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage buildings to reduce environmental impacts. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104507
Gallarza, M.G., Gil-Saura, I. & Holbrook, M.B. (2011). The value of value: Further excursions on the meaning and role of customer value. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 10, 179-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cb.328
Geels, F. W. (2002). Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: A multi-level perspective and a case-study. Research Policy, 31(8-9), 1257-1274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00062-8
Ghida, D.B. (2024). Revitalizing urban spaces: Ten key lessons from the “Viaduc des arts†adaptive reuse and placemaking. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 13(5), 1095-1112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2024.03.011
Gravagnuolo, A., Angrisano, M., Bosone, M., Buglione, F., de Toro, P., & Girard, F. (2024). Participatory evaluation of cultural heritage adaptive reuse interventions in the circular economy perspective: A case study of historic buildings in Salerno (Italy). Journal of Urban Management, 13(1), 107-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2023.12.002
Gravari-Barbas, M., & Guinand, S. (2017). Tourism and gentrification in contemporary metropolises: International perspectives. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315629759
Kaya, D.I., Dane, G., Pintossi, N., & Koot, C.A.M. (2021). Subjective circularity performance analysis of adaptive heritage reuse practices in the Netherlands. Sustainable Cities and Society, 70, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.102869
Kim, J. H. (2017). The impact of memorable tourism experiences on loyalty behaviors: The mediating effects of destination image and satisfaction. Journal of Travel Research, 57(7), 856-870. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287517721369
Langston, C. (2018). Sustainable practices in the built environment (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Misirlisoy, D., & Günçe, K. (2016). Adaptive reuse strategies for heritage buildings: A holistic approach. Sustainable Cities and Society, 26, 91-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2016.05.017
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D. & Ladkin, A. (2015) Smart technologies for personalized experiences: A case study in the hospitality domain. Electronic Markets, 25, 243-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-015-0182-1
Pintossi, N., Kaya, I.K., & Roders, A.P. (2023). Cultural heritage adaptive reuse in Salerno: Challenges and solutions. City, Culture and Society, 136, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccs.2023.100505
Pintossi, N., Kaya, I.K., van Wesemael, P., & Roders, A.P. (2023). Challenges of cultural heritage adaptive reuse: A stakeholders-based comparative study in three European cities. Habitat International, 136, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2023.102807
Plevoets, B., & van Cleempoel, K. (2019). Adaptive reuse as a strategy towards conservation of cultural heritage: A literature review. In Adaptive reuse of the built heritage (pp. 13-33). Routledge.
Prebensen, N. K., Chen, J. S., & Uysal, M. (2018). Creating experience value in tourism. CABI.
Richards, G. (2021). Rethinking cultural tourism. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Rudan, E. (2023). Circular economy of cultural heritage-possibility to create a new tourism product through adaptive reuse. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(3), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16030196
Song, J., Chen, J., Yang, X., & Zhu, Y. (2024). Research on adaptive reuse strategy of industrial heritage based on the method of social network. Land, 13(3), 383. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030383
Spina, L. D. (2021). Cultural heritage: A hybrid framework for ranking adaptive reuse strategies. Buildings, 11(3), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030132
Spina, L., D. & Giorno, C. (2021). Cultural landscapes: A multi-stakeholder methodological approach to support widespread and shared tourism development strategies. Sustainability, 13(13), 7175. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137175
Stylidis, D. (2018). Residents' place image: A cluster analysis and its links to place attachment and support for tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26, 1007-1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2018.1435668
Tan, J., Xu, L., & Hutter, A. (2026). Post-occupancy evaluation of waterfront industrial heritage reuse in China: Assessing satisfaction and importance on Jingzhou Yang Pier historical area. Journal of Urban Management, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jum.2026.01.005
Timothy, D. J. (2011). Cultural heritage and tourism: An introduction (Vol. 4). Channel View Publications.
Tussyadiah, I. P. (2020). A review of research into automation in tourism: Launching the Annals of Tourism Research curated collection on artificial intelligence and robotics in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102883
UNWTO. (2023). Tourism and cultural heritage: A review of global practices. World Tourism Organization.
Vafaie, F., Remøy, H., & Gruis, V. (2023). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings: A systematic literature review of success factors. Habitat International, 142, 102926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2023.102926
van Laar, B., Greco, A., Remøy, H., & Gruis, V. (2024). What matters when? – An integrative literature review on decision criteria in different stages of the adaptive reuse process. Developments in the Built Environment, 18, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2024.100439
Vardopoulos, I., Giannopoulos, K., Papaefthymiou, E., Temponera, E., Chatzithanasis, G., Goussia-Rizou, M., Karymbalis, E., Michalakelis, C., Tsartas, P., & Sdrali, D. (2023). Urban buildings sustainable adaptive reuse into tourism accommodation establishments: a SOAR analysis. Discover Sustainability, 4 (50). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-023-00166-2
Vargo, S.L., & Lusch, R.F. (2008). Service-dominant logic: Continuing the evolution. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 36, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-007-0069-6
Waterton, E., & Watson, S. (2015). The Palgrave handbook of contemporary heritage research. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137293565
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Pandu Mau, Freddy Hendrawan, Ramanda Dimas Surya Dinata
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
1.png)
