Towards Decreasing Encroachments on Conserved Historic Buildings, Users Participation as an Approach: The Case of Youth Center- Sebastia

Encroachments on conserved historic buildings, such as unsystematic interventions and vandalism, can be significantly reduced by involving users in the conservation process. This study identifies three key approaches to user participation—social-benefits, economic-benefits, and emotional-needs—that effectively mitigate harmful practices. Using the Youth Center in Sebastia, Palestine, as a case study, researchers analyzed the causes and manifestations of encroachments, such as neglect and vandalism, which often arise from exclusionary conservation efforts. The findings underscore that integrating user participation through targeted approaches can preserve both the historic value and visual integrity of buildings, offering a practical solution to long-standing challenges in heritage conservation.

Itma, M., & Zawawi, Z. (2024). Towards Decreasing Encroachments on Conserved Historic Buildings, Users Participation as an Approach: The Case of Youth Center- Sebastia. Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering, 35(2), 168–181. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.35.2.33657