The adoption of adaptive reuse practices in the construction industry is increasingly recognized as a sustainable approach to addressing urban development challenges. However, despite its potential, the uptake of adaptive reuse remains limited due to various barriers. This study aims to identify the key strategies that can enhance the adoption of adaptive reuse practices in the construction industry and explore how these strategies are perceived by industry stakeholders, including developers, policymakers and construction professionals.
This is a mixed-methods study conducted between January and September 2025. The research began with a literature review, followed by a structured survey of construction professionals. A convenience sampling method was used to distribute questionnaires, resulting in 187 valid responses. To strengthen validity, postsurvey expert interviews were conducted and analyzed using content analysis.
The findings indicate that promoting the circular economy, focusing on organizational management and incorporating energy efficiency are among the most effective strategies for promoting adaptive reuse. The qualitative insights further reinforce the feasibility of these strategies and highlight context-specific considerations relevant to policy and practice.
Findings from this study provide valuable insights into effective strategies for overcoming the barriers to adaptive reuse adoption in the construction industry. These strategies can inform the development of policies, incentives and practices that encourage the widespread adoption of adaptive reuse, promoting more sustainable urban development. Additionally, the study offers evidence-based guidance that can support revisions to professional standards, training frameworks and urban regeneration programs.
This study contributes to adaptive reuse research by developing an empirically grounded and context-specific strategic framework for advancing adaptive reuse adoption in Nigeria’s construction industry. While previous studies have largely focused on identifying barriers to adaptive reuse or have concentrated on developed-country contexts, this study specifically identifies, categorizes and validates implementation strategies suited to the institutional, economic and professional realities of a developing economy. The novelty of the study lies primarily in its strategy-oriented framework, which links practical interventions to previously identified barriers and organizes them into thematic clusters that can guide policy and industry practice.
