Abstracts – Browse Results
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Aikivuori, A (1996) Periods and demand for private sector housing refurbishment. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 3-12.
Arditi, D and Mochtar, K (1996) Productivity improvement in the Indonesian construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 13-24.
Carrillo, P M (1996) Technology transfer on joint venture projects in developing countries. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 45-54.
Gann, D M and Barlow, J (1996) Flexibility in building use: the technical feasibility of converting redundant offices into flats. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 55-66.
- Type: Journal Article
- Keywords: change of use; conversion; flexibility; technical feasibility
- ISBN/ISSN: 0144-6193
- URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/01446199600000007
- Abstract:
The potential for converting empty offices into housing depends upon demands for converted space, the ability to finance conversions and attitudes of owners of empty buildings, together with flexibility in planning and ability to overcome technical constraints. This article explains the reasons for the large stock of redundant office buildings in the UK and questions whether some of these can be converted to provide much needed affordable housing. Technical constraints on their own are rarely insurmountable but the cost of making necessary changes may often be higher than other options of demolition and new building. Case studies of converted buildings show that it is necessary for project managers to deal with a range of issues from planning, location and finance to the accurate assessment of technical criteria in order for successful outcomes. It has often been difficult to find sites where all the necessary variables coincide in a positive manner and for this reason, the conversion of offices into flats has limited potential. It cannot therefore be seen as a panacea for housing shortages or for the reuse of redundant office buildings. Lessons from the experience of the UK property and construction industries illustrate the need to incorporate greater flexibility to meet unforeseen changes in use in the future.
Goh, B-H (1996) Residential construction demand forecasting using economic indicators: a comparative study of artificial neural networks and multiple regression. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 25-34.
Kaka, A P (1996) Towards more flexible and accurate cash-flow forecasting. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 35-44.
Li, H (1996) Selecting KBES development techniques for applications in the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 14(01), 67-74.