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Assessment of Underused Public Buildings and Opportunities for Functional Transformation

Abstract

Underused public buildings represent a significant opportunity for improving the efficiency and sustainability of the built environment. Many public facilities experience declining occupancy or reduced functionality due to changes in population patterns, institutional needs, economic conditions, building condition, or shifts in service delivery. When these buildings remain partially vacant or inadequately utilized, valuable land, infrastructure, and resources may be wasted. Assessing their existing conditions and identifying opportunities for functional transformation can therefore contribute to more effective use of public assets and support broader urban development objectives. This study assesses underused public buildings and explores opportunities for their functional transformation into uses that respond to current community and institutional needs. It examines factors such as building condition, spatial configuration, accessibility, location, structural capacity, existing services, surrounding land uses, and patterns of current occupancy. The study also considers the reasons for underutilization and evaluates the potential suitability of existing spaces for alternative functions without necessarily requiring complete demolition and reconstruction. Functional transformation can involve adapting underused public buildings for community centres, educational facilities, healthcare services, cultural spaces, offices, social services, recreational facilities, or other appropriate uses. The flexibility of existing floor plans, structural systems, circulation arrangements, natural lighting, ventilation, and building services can influence the feasibility of different transformation options. Careful assessment of these characteristics can help determine which interventions are practical while retaining valuable existing building resources. The study also considers the environmental and social benefits associated with transforming existing public buildings. Reusing existing structures can reduce the demand for new construction materials, minimize construction waste, and preserve embodied energy within buildings. Functional transformation can also improve access to public services and reactivate neglected areas, potentially strengthening community engagement and supporting local economic activity. However, successful transformation requires consideration of accessibility, safety, building regulations, user needs, cultural significance, and long-term operational requirements. Several challenges may limit the transformation of underused public buildings, including physical deterioration, outdated building services, inflexible layouts, inadequate accessibility, structural limitations, ownership issues, limited funding, and high renovation costs. Some buildings may also contain spaces that are difficult to adapt to new functions without substantial intervention. A comprehensive assessment is therefore required to determine the technical, economic, environmental, and social feasibility of each transformation opportunity. Stakeholder participation can further help ensure that proposed new uses respond to actual community requirements. The study aims to provide a framework for assessing underused public buildings and identifying appropriate opportunities for functional transformation. The findings are expected to assist architects, urban planners, public authorities, facility managers, and community stakeholders in making informed decisions about the future of underutilized public assets. By prioritizing adaptive transformation where feasible, public buildings can be reactivated to provide useful services, reduce resource wastage, improve urban environments, and support more sustainable and responsive patterns of public development.

Keywords: Underused public buildings, Functional transformation, Adaptive reuse, Public architecture, Building assessment, Building rehabilitation, Urban regeneration, Community facilities, Spatial adaptation, Sustainable development, Public assets, Building reuse, Functional flexibility, Existing building stock.