Identification and Prioritization of Heritage Value Assessment Criteria in Historic Buildings
Keywords:
Historic buildings, heritage values, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)Abstract
In the field of architectural heritage conservation, the value-based approach has emerged as a contemporary paradigm that emphasizes the identification and safeguarding of the intrinsic values embedded within heritage assets and the alignment of conservation interventions with these values. However, a substantial portion of existing research has been limited to the typological classification of values through predetermined lists, and less attention has been devoted to developing a systematic framework capable of encompassing all components influencing the assessment of the heritage significance of historic buildings, as well as determining the relative importance of each criterion. To address this gap, the present study aimed to identify, classify, and assign weights to the criteria for assessing heritage values in historic buildings. Initially, using qualitative content analysis, a comprehensive set of criteria for evaluating heritage values was identified and subsequently organized into a three-level hierarchical structure consisting of groups, values, and sub-values. Finally, the relative weights of the criteria were estimated through an expert questionnaire and the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The findings indicated that the set of criteria can be structured into five principal groups: “form and physical fabric,” “socio-cultural,” “contextual,” “informational,” and “economic–functional.” Among these, the form and physical fabric group obtained the highest weight and was considered the most significant from a heritage value perspective, followed respectively by the socio-cultural, contextual, and informational groups. The economic–functional group received the lowest weight. Accordingly, the prioritization of conservation interventions should be grounded in the preservation of the physical fabric, meaning, and identity of the heritage asset, prior to functional and economic considerations.
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Copyright (c) 1404 Mozhdeh Soroush (Author); Vahid Ghobadian; Shervin Mirshahzadeh (Author)
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