IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section A

Abstract

Twentieth-century buildings play a critical role in urban environments, serving as tangible connections to the past for local communities. They embody shared memories and cultural narratives that contribute to a sense of identity and belonging. Strategically identifying and monitoring the factors affecting the social value of buildings can help cities foster a sustainable urban environment, where community identity and well-being are prioritized alongside economic development and modern needs. The development of a people-centric assessment framework for evaluating the social value of buildings is a significant advancement in understanding how urban environments impact community identity and memory. This approach not only acknowledges the physical aspects of architecture but also highlights the human narratives and connections that are vital to community identity. Applied to three 1970s shopping centres in Singapore, with quantitative data from over 800 building users, it identifies factors influencing attachment to these spaces. Unique and shared characteristics across the malls provide insights into how social value evolves over time and can be leveraged for urban resilience. Understanding the social value of buildings and communities is crucial for policymakers and developers, particularly when it comes to urban redevelopment. Additionally, the concept of willingness to pay (WTP) for social value conservation underscores the economic significance of emotional attachment that users feel towards buildings. The findings are particularly useful when the aim is to provide a variety of meeting places in densely populated cities, which can enhance social sustainability and promote resilient, vibrant urban spaces.