Architecture Dissertation Topics

Architecture Dissertation Topics

Info: Architecture Dissertation Topics
Published: 20th May 2025 in Architecture Dissertation Topics

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Dissertation Topic 1: Declining research trends in adaptive reuse: Causes and future research directions

Background Context

In spite of the increasing importance of adaptive reuse (AR) to sustainability and the overlay of urban development on societal needs, I have just completed some bibliometric research that indicates a marked decline in output since 2021. This paradox, of the research not being in alignment with the on-the-ground relevance of the issue, is indicative of a research-practice gap and consequently it would be beneficial to investigate why AR is diminishing in the research context.

Research Questions

1. What is contributing to the decline in adaptive reuse research in recent years?
2. Is the change due to new funding, policy, or academic interest?
3. What areas of adaptive reuse are least explored or outdated in knowledge?

Potential Implications

– Identification of unconsidered areas of research around AR.
– Suggestions for how to return AR to a level of academic concern that supports the practical need.
– Recommendations for future research agendas and rankings for consideration by journal editors.

Suggested Reading

  • Bullen, P. A., & Love, P. E. D. (2011). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Structural Survey.
  • Lu, Y., & Tam, V. W. (2013). A review on the impact of adaptive reuse on building sustainability. Facilities.
  • Plevoets, B., & Van Cleempoel, K. (2019). Adaptive Reuse of the Built Heritage. Routledge.
  • Dissertation Topic 2: International Collaboration in Adaptive Reuse Research: A Network Analysis

    Background Context

    The bibliometric evidence suggests that adaptive reuse research is fragmented, with little international co-authorship and regional and national clustering of research collaboration across countries. The absence of cross border research collaboration may be hampering the development of globally relevant reuse models and knowledge sharing.

    Research Questions

    1.What regional clusters in AR research are dominant and how do they interact with one another? 2.What are the reasons for the limited international collaboration in this field? 3.How can researchers improve cooperation and working together on research internationally?

    Potential Implications

  • Increased cross-national collaboration as part of shared research projects.
  • Identification of strategic opportunities for partnerships on funding (e.g. trans-national research funding) and providing innovation for the coninent and world.
  • Greater global exchange of knowledge relating to sustainable architecture.
  • Suggested Reading

  • Yung, E. H. K., & Chan, E. H. W. (2012). Social sustainability in urban conservation. Facilities.
  • Glänzel, W., & Schubert, A. (2005). Analyzing scientific networks through co-authorship. Scientometrics.
  • Chatterjee, S. (2021). Science collaboration in the global south. Current Science.
  • Dissertation Topic 3: Policy Gaps in Adaptive Reuse: A Comparative Study of Italy, China and Turkey

    Background

    The bibliometric analysis reveals that AR research has been published by these three countries more than any others; despite this great interest, the applicable emerging AR policies in Italy, China and Turkey have very different actualization across the three countries. Understanding their regulatory environments might provide valuable insights into what encourages or prevents successful AR at a policy level.

    Research Questions

    1. What are the opportunities and challenges of the adaptive reuse policy regimes in Italy, China and Turkey?
    2. What role do national and local planning legislation play in relation to adaptive reuse?
    3. What best practices can be recognized to create a more global involvement in adaptive reuse legislation at the policy level?

    Potential Implications

  • A comparative framework for adaptive reuse at the national level.
  • Recommendations for harmonizing sustainable development and heritage policy.
  • Policy Guidelines for professionals and municipal authorities.
  • Suggested Reading

  • Douglas, J. (2006). Building Adaptation. Butterworth-Heinemann.
  • Shipley, R., Utz, S., & Parsons, M. (2006). Does adaptive reuse pay?. Journal of Property Research.
  • Langston, C. (2012). Validation of the adaptive reuse potential (ARP) model. Facilities.
  • Dissertation Topic 4: Stakeholder Participation in Adaptive Reuse: Moving from Expert-Led to Community-Driven Approaches

    Background Context

    Adaptive reuse has largely been framed and discussed from a technical perspective; however. the bibliometric analysis highlighted a lack of consideration for local stakeholders when planning and executing, reuse projects. There is a need for a greater emphasis on participatory approaches to ensure social sustainability and community buy-in.

    Research Questions

    1. What is the role of local community members in an adaptive reuse design process?
    2. How can participatory models be utilized in AR planning?
    3. What happens when diversity in stakeholders is included in project identity?

    Potential Impact

  • Frameworks for community-seeking AR approaches.
  • Evidence of improved outcomes from socially engaged reuse.
  • Contributions to the theoretical emphasis of participatory design in heritage.
  • Suggested Reading

  • Yung, E. H. K., & Chan, E. H. W. (2012). Urban conservation and community engagement. Facilities.
  • Chitty, G. (2017). Heritage, Conservation and Communities: Engagement, Participation and Capacity Building. Routledge.
  • Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners.
  • Dissertation Topic 5: Thematic Evolution of Adaptive Reuse Research: A Keyword and Citation Trend Analysis (1992–2022)

    Background context

    This study suggests a thematic shift in research on adaptive reuse: greater emphasis on sustainability, cultural heritage, and levels of urban regeneration beginning in 2017. This illustrates that there has been a shift in emphasis in the last five years. Knowing that there has been a change in and themes of research may assist in providing research themes that academic scholars need to travel to when they seek to produce new ideas at this time, and possibly preventing stagnation in the area of adaptive reuse.

    Research Questions

    1. What are the overarching themes in AR research between 1992-2022?
    2. What do keywords, citation trends and changing scholarly conversation indicate over a period of time?
    3. What are new areas of inquiry in adaptive reuse?

    Potential Impacts

  • Trend guesses regarding future themes of AR research.
  • Framework for developing curriculum in design(architecture) education.
  • Further consideration for journal publishers and funding organizations.
  • Suggested Reading

  • Zhang, Y., & Ma, L. (2020). Bibliometric analysis of urban regeneration research. Sustainability. Plevoets, B., & Van Cleempoel, K. (2011). Adaptive reuse as an emerging discipline. Journal of
  • Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development.
  • Leydesdorff, L., & Rafols, I. (2009). A global map of science based on new keyword co-occurrence techniques. Journal of the American Society for Information Science.
  • Dissertation Topic 6: Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Economic Feasibility & Lifecycle Assessment in Adaptive Reuse Projects

    Background Context

    As adaptive reuse is widely positioned as a sustainable and less-costly way forward than a new build, we have almost no empirical analysis that encompasses its economic feasibility across a building life cycle. Most examination of adaptive reuse projects exist primarily in architectural or heritage context and make evident their general avoidance of analysis that balances costs and benefits over a longer term. The lack of standardized methods of estimating lifecycle costs and reuse opportunity costs, and value after occupancy contributes to the uncertainty developers, policy makers and investors face deciding whether to pursue reuse investments.

    Research Questions

  • What economic and lifecycle assessment models are best for AR projects situated in dramatically different urban contexts, such as suburbs, rural areas, and downtown economic districts?
  • What part do multi-criteria decision-making tools play in helping evaluate economic feasibility and viability related to AR initiatives
  • What are the positive/negative economic trade-offs associated with costs of preservation, retrofit, and new builds looked at across a building life cycle?
  • Potential Contributions

  • Framework that lends to a practical way to provide credible feasibility studies for adaptive reuse.
  • Decision making and evaluation tools that provide assistance to investors, architects and urban planners.
  • Evidence-based policy recommendations and increased understanding of private investment in to adaptive reuse.
  • Suggested Reading

    • Langston, C., Wong, F. K. W., Hui, E. C. M., & Shen, L. Y. (2008). Strategic assessment of building adaptive reuse opportunities in Hong Kong. Building and Environment, 43(10), 1709–1718.
    • Douglas, J. (2006). Building Adaptation. Butterworth-Heinemann.
    • Shipley, R., Utz, S., & Parsons, M. (2006). Does adaptive reuse pay? A study of the business of building renovation in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 12(6), 505–520.

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