Investigation of Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings in Penang

The Burra Charter has defined building adaptation as modifying a place to suit the existing or proposed use. Many historical buildings in the world have been changed or transformed for alternative uses or functions to meet current needs while remaining of significant value to younger generations. In order to protect and manage the historical buildings in Malaysia, various relevant agencies adopted a few general statutory frameworks such as the National Heritage Act (2005) and the Town and Country Planning Act (1979) for implementation at the national level while, for use at the local level, the Guideline for Conservation Areas and Heritage Buildings (GCAHB) is used in George Town, Penang. Even though standards and guidelines have been made, there are still many buildings that have been adaptively reused without following the regulations, thereby, losing the building’s authenticity and historical significance. This paper will focus on an evaluation of adaptive reuse buildings in Penang in compliance with the GCAHB.