STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AND TENSILE MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN REGENERATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i41.2006Keywords:
Architectural Heritage, Tensile Membrane Technologies, Sustainable Urban Regeneration, Structural Integration, Adaptive Reuse, Resilient DesignAbstract
The present research examines the integration of architectural heritage with tensile membrane technologies as a pathway to sustainable urban regeneration. A theoretical framework is developed merging adaptive reuse with structural innovation, using interdisciplinary methods, literature review, and case studies. Tensile membranes, known for their lightweight, flexible, and reversible nature are especially valuable in heritage contexts. Their visual transparency preserves modern functionality while enabling the visibility and integrity of historic architecture, pathing the way to become ideal for minimal-impact interventions.
Computational simulations and material testing demonstrate the structural resilience and environmental performance of these systems. Findings reveal that tensile membranes reduce energy consumption, increase durability, and strengthen heritage conservation. The study suggests an evaluation framework to assist architects and planners in assessing membrane compatibility with existing structures. While this approach fosters balanced urban renewal, the research underscores its potential to drive economic revitalization as well as maintaining cultural identity. Future research will concentrate on applying these strategies to diverse climates and urban settings for comprehensive global application.
Downloads
References
Aigwi, I. E., Duberia, A., & Nwadike, A. N. (2023). Adaptive reuse of existing buildings as a sustainable tool for climate change mitigation within the built environment. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 56, 102945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102945
Amro, D. K., & Ammar, S. (2024). Rehabilitation of heritage buildings in conflict zones: A case study of Al-Khader Library in Gaza Strip and its impact on sustainable development. Buildings, 14, 2759. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092759
Bollens, S. A. (2006). Urban planning in post-conflict contexts. Urban Affairs Review.
Bridgens, B., & Birchall, M. (2012). Form and function: The significance of material properties in the design of tensile fabric structures. Engineering Structures, 44, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.05.044
Chen, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, Y., & Zhao, H. (2022). Wind resistance of tension structures. International Journal of Structural Engineering.
Chen, Z., Wei, C., Li, Z., Zeng, C., Zhao, J., Hong, N., & Su, N. (2022). Wind-induced response characteristics and equivalent static wind-resistant design method of spherical inflatable membrane structures. Buildings, 12, 1611. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101611
Di Meo, A., Borzi, B., Faravelli, M., Pagano, M., Ceresa, P., Monteiro, R., & Al-Dabbeek, J. (2018). Seismic performance of existing structures. Journal of Earthquake Engineering.
Di Meo, A., Borzi, B., Faravelli, M., Pagano, M., Ceresa, P., Monteiro, R., & Al-Dabbeek, J. (2018). Seismic vulnerability assessment of the urban building environment in Nablus, Palestine. International Journal of Disaster Resilience. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2018.1503364
Doğan, H. A. (2020). Perception of the modern movement in architecture as cultural heritage. Art History & Criticism / Meno Istorija Ir Kritika, 16. https://doi.org/10.2478/mik-2020-0004
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., & Liston, K. (2011). A guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers, and contractors. Wiley.
Fish, M. (2020). Culturally sensitive architecture. Architectural Review.
Ghazaleh, N. (2008). Informal structures in urban research. Cities Journal.
Gugliuzza, A., & Drioli, E. (2013). A review on membrane engineering for innovation in wearable fabrics and protective textiles. Journal of Membrane Science, 446, 350–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.07.014
Hussein, H., Al-Zubaidi, M., & Hamdan, H. (2019). Heritage recovery in conflict zones. Journal of Urban History.
Hussein, S. H., Abdulla, Z. R., & Daood, N. M. (2019). Urban regeneration through post-war reconstruction: Reclaiming the urban identity of the old city of Mosul. Journal of Islamic Architecture, 7(1), 294–301. http://pen.ius.edu.ba
Ijla, A., & Broström, T. (2015). The sustainable viability of adaptive reuse of historic buildings: The experiences of two World Heritage old cities; Bethlehem in Palestine and Visby in Sweden. International Invention Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2(4), 52–66. http://internationalinventjournals.org/journals/IIJAS
Kallus, R. (2013). Reconstructed urbanity: The rebirth of Palestinian urban life in Haifa. City, Culture and Society, 4, 99–109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccs.2013.02.001
Kamali, M., Suhas, D. P., Costa, M. E., Capela, I., & Aminabhavi, T. M. (2019). Sustainability considerations in membrane-based technologies for industrial effluents treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 368, 474–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.02.075
Lin, Z., Wang, Y., Fu, Z., Zhong, D., Du, X., & Zhang, J. (2025). Optimization of mechanical properties and finite element simulation analysis of hollow fiber membranes in gas-liquid membrane separation technology. Desalination, 599, 118456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2024.118456
Liu, R., Wu, Y., & Cheng, L. (2018). High-performance membrane materials for urban structures. Journal of Building Physics.
Liu, Y., Han, Y., & Li, B. (2024). Geometric characteristics, deployment mechanisms, and digital fabrication methods of a free-form deployable membrane system based on CNC-knitted fabrics and CNC-bent frames. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 23(4), 1355–1370. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2023.2267645
Mendizabal, M., Heidrich, O., Feliu, E., García-Blanco, G., & Mendizabal, A. (2018). Stimulating urban transition and transformation to achieve sustainable and resilient cities. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 94, 410–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.06.003
Micocci, F. (2016). Envisioning a post-conflict Tripoli: The inclusive urban strategy and action plan for Bab Al-Tabbaneh and Jebel Mohsen.
Min, W. (2025). A scientometric review of cultural heritage management and sustainable development through evolutionary perspectives. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1), 215.
Mosoarca, R., Popescu, C., & Ardelean, C. (2024). Livability in urban regions post-conflict. Urban Studies Journal.
Osman, A. R., Khan, M. I., & Al-Ameri, H. (2024). Membrane structures in climate responsive design. Building and Environment Journal.
Othman, A. A. E., & Elsaay, H. (2018). Adaptive reuse: An innovative approach for generating sustainable values for historic buildings in developing countries. Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, 10, 1704–1718.
Ripp, M., Gustafsson, C., Jones, Z., Majumdar, S., & Ginzarly, M. (2025). Historic Urban Landscapes and heritage systems as the basis for sustainable urban development. Land, 14(9), 1783.
Sakalasuriya, M. M., Haigh, R. P., & Amaratunga, D. (2018). A conceptual framework to analyse consequences of post-conflict reconstruction interventions. Procedia Engineering, 212, 894–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2018.01.115
Saksheshwari. (2024). Thriving the future: Transitioning from 2D plans to 3-D digital models with building information modelling. Journal of Computer Science and Emerging Trends, 1(1).
Shadar, H., & Shach-Pinsly, D. (2024). Maintaining community resilience through urban renewal processes using architectural and planning guidelines. Sustainability, 16, 560. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020560
Shehab, A. M. A. (2018). Influences of socio-cultural values to community housing design in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Sowińska-Heim, J. (2020). Adaptive reuse of architectural heritage and its role in the post-disaster reconstruction of urban identity: Post-communist Łódź. Sustainability, 12(19), 8054. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198054
Stein, N., Dabaieh, M., & Ben Bih, K. (2020). Post-conflict reconstruction in the Middle East and North Africa region: A bidirectional parametric urban design approach. International Journal of Architectural Computing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478077119899584
Stone, S. (2023). Notes towards a definition of adaptive reuse. Architecture, 3(3), 477–489. https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture3030026
Tian, G., Fan, Y., Gao, M., Wang, H., Zheng, H., Liu, J., & Liu, C. (2021). Indoor thermal environment of thin membrane structure buildings: A review. Energy & Buildings, 234, 110704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110704
Tian, J., Zhang, X., & Li, F. (2011). Tensional structures in urban design. Structures Journal.
Wang, J., & Zakaria, S. A. (2025). Morphological characteristics and sustainable adaptive reuse strategies of regional cultural architecture: A case study of Fenghuang Ancient Town, Xiangxi, China. Buildings, 15(1), 119.
Wang, W., & Zhao, J. (2018). Seismic load effects in urban buildings. Earthquake Spectra.
Ying, W., Zhang, T., & Shen, L. (2017). Thermal properties of membrane materials. Journal of Architectural Research.
Zhang, Q., Ali, Z. M., & Abidin, N. Z. (2025). Sustainable adaptive reuse of historic buildings: Development of a framework from systematic review. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1), 619.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
