Identifying Abandoned Industrial Zones in Skopje and Evaluating the Potential of Extending Their Useful Lifespan by Adaptive Reuse

Abstract

The built environment of cities can play a key role in the transition to a circular economy, especially considering the large resource consumption and waste generation of building construction. This paper explores the potential for adaptive reuse of abandoned industrial buildings through the lens of the sustainability within the context of circular economy in Skopje, North Macedonia. The adaptive reuse of vacant industrial buildings can bring environmental, social, and economic benefits by employing an urban strategy based on circular economy principles and innovative approaches. Considering the transformation of Skopje’s industrial zones through the city’s development, this paper identifies potential abandoned industrial sites in the city where the adaptive reuse of buildings, could improve environmental, social, and economic quality of the built environment. The identified abandoned industrial sites were analyzed in terms of their functional transformation and their vulnerability to current demolishing practices.