Developing a model for computing the building adaptation potential index for public housing in Singapore

Abstract

Building adaptation plays a pivotal role in arresting building deterioration and upgrading existing buildings to match the higher standards of new public housing estates. With limited budget on hand, policy makers in the public sector need to prioritize these buildings based on their adaptation potential so as to identify and rank existing buildings that have high potential for adaptation. This article considers the relevant factors that influence the building adaptation potential (BAP). The conceptual framework and the method adopted for computing BAP are also presented. The findings show that BAP would be determined by the synergies of building owners' utility, owners' risk preference, housing obsolescence, prospective impacts associated with adaptation activities, sustainable performance for buildings and urban planning policies. © 2010 Earthscan ISSN.