Penn Architecture, Weitzman School hosts panel on adaptive building reuse in cities – The Daily Pennsylvanian

Report on Adaptive Reuse of Commercial Buildings for Sustainable Urban Development

Introduction: Aligning Urban Renewal with Sustainable Development Goals

A panel discussion hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design on October 29 examined the practice of converting vacant office buildings into residential units. This report analyzes the key findings of the panel, framing the practice of adaptive reuse within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The discussion, featuring experts in architecture, journalism, and finance, highlighted adaptive reuse as a critical strategy to address post-pandemic office vacancies and a severe housing shortage, thereby advancing urban sustainability and inclusivity.

Key Drivers and Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The panel identified a structural shift toward remote work, which has created unprecedented office vacancy rates. This challenge presents a unique opportunity to advance several targets within SDG 11.

• Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing): Hina Jamelle, Weitzman associate professor, noted the “renewed attention on adaptive reuse” as a response to the housing crisis. The conversion of commercial buildings directly addresses the need to increase the supply of adequate and safe housing.
• Target 11.3 (Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization): The event’s title, “Under Pressure,” was described as a “call for action” to foster vibrant and inclusive urban centers. By creating housing, cities can attract diverse populations, preventing them from becoming exclusive to a single “asset class” and promoting the “engaging vibrancy of younger people coming in.”

Addressing Poverty and Inequality: A Focus on SDG 1 and SDG 10

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the necessity of ensuring that adaptive reuse projects contribute to social equity, a core component of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Findings on Housing Affordability

1. Critical Shortage for Vulnerable Populations: Panelist Vincent Reina, a Weitzman professor and former White House advisor, stated that Philadelphia has a “shortage of 65,000 affordable, available housing units.” He clarified, “We just don’t have enough housing for the very poor households,” underscoring the need to target interventions to reduce inequality.
2. Community Integration: Professor Reina emphasized that housing plays a “critical role” in helping residents feel they are “a part of the community.” Initiatives he helped develop, such as PHL Housing Plus, aim to rehabilitate homes for affordability, directly contributing to poverty reduction and social inclusion.
3. Community-Centric Design: Architecture student Ryan Newbling highlighted the importance of creating urban “space that really connects and drives a community, versus just having repetitive residential units,” aligning with the goal of building inclusive communities.

Economic Viability and Challenges for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The panel acknowledged that while adaptive reuse promotes sustainable economic models, its implementation faces significant hurdles. The successful revitalization of urban cores through these projects can stimulate local economies and create jobs, supporting SDG 8.

Implementation Hurdles

• Structural and Financial Costs: Converting office buildings, which have different structural requirements than residential units (e.g., window access), necessitates expensive renovations.
• Market Disparities: Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Grant noted that the economic model is not universally applicable. He cited New York City as a market where high rents can justify the conversion costs, a condition not present in many other cities. This highlights a challenge in scaling the solution to achieve widespread economic and social benefits.
• A Structural Economic Shift: Grant emphasized that the current downturn in office use is “structural,” not cyclical, making investment in long-term reuse strategies essential for future urban economic resilience.

Conclusion: Adaptive Reuse as an Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Development

The panel concluded that adaptive reuse is not a singular solution to the housing crisis but is “a really important piece to our puzzle.” This practice represents an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

By transforming underutilized assets into essential housing, adaptive reuse contributes to:

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By increasing housing supply and revitalizing urban centers.
• SDG 1 & SDG 10 (No Poverty & Reduced Inequalities): When projects prioritize the creation of “actual affordable units” for the most vulnerable residents.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By reusing existing building stock, minimizing demolition waste, and reducing the carbon footprint associated with new construction.

Therefore, the strategic implementation of commercial-to-residential conversions is a vital tool for municipalities seeking to build more equitable, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article’s primary focus is on urban development challenges, specifically the housing crisis and the vacancy of commercial buildings in cities. The discussion revolves around adaptive reuse as a strategy to make cities more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable by creating housing and revitalizing downtown areas.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article directly connects the housing crisis to poverty by highlighting the lack of affordable housing for the “very poor households.” Professor Vincent Reina points out a “shortage of 65,000 affordable, available housing units” in Philadelphia, emphasizing that the core issue is housing for the most vulnerable, which is a key aspect of poverty alleviation.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article touches upon the theme of inequality in access to urban living. Hina Jamelle’s statement, “We would not want cities to just be for sort of a certain asset class,” argues for urban inclusivity. By focusing on creating affordable housing, the proposed solutions aim to reduce the economic barriers that prevent lower-income individuals and families from living in urban centers.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • This target is central to the article. The entire discussion about converting office buildings into residential units is a direct response to the “rapidly growing demand for housing” and the “housing crisis.” The specific mention of a “shortage of 65,000 affordable, available housing units” underscores the need to provide adequate and affordable housing for all.
2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • The practice of adaptive reuse is presented as a form of sustainable urban planning. It aims to “bring life back to central business districts” and create urban “space that really connects and drives a community.” This approach represents an integrated strategy for managing urban change sustainably, rather than just building new structures.
3. Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services.
   • The article’s emphasis on the housing needs of “the most vulnerable residents” and “very poor households” directly relates to this target. Housing is a fundamental basic service, and the initiatives discussed, such as PHL Housing Plus, are aimed at ensuring the poor and vulnerable can access it.
4. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.
   • The goal of making cities vibrant with “younger people coming in, new ideas coming in, and people being able to thrive” without being restricted to a “certain asset class” aligns with this target. Providing affordable housing is a mechanism to promote the social and economic inclusion of diverse populations within urban centers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 11.1:
   • Mentioned Indicator: The article provides a specific quantitative measure of the housing deficit: the “shortage of 65,000 affordable, available housing units” in Philadelphia. This figure serves as a direct indicator of the gap in adequate and affordable housing. Progress could be measured by the reduction of this number over time.
2. Indicator for Target 11.3:
   • Implied Indicator: While not stating a formal indicator, the article implies that progress can be measured by the number of adaptive reuse projects proposed and completed. The text mentions examples in Chicago, New York, Baton Rouge, and Providence, suggesting that tracking the scale and success of these conversions is a way to measure the implementation of sustainable urban planning. The number of vacant office buildings successfully converted into residential units would be a key metric.
3. Indicator for Targets 1.4 and 10.2:
   • Implied Indicator: The article implies that progress can be measured by the number of affordable units created specifically for low-income or vulnerable households through projects like adaptive reuse and initiatives such as “PHL Housing Plus.” The success of these programs in providing housing to the “very poor households” would be a direct measure of progress towards ensuring access to basic services and promoting inclusion.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thedp.com