Bridging conservation and modernity: Evaluation of functional priorities for architectural heritage adaptation in China

The conservation of architectural heritage increasingly focuses on modern functional demands. However, while some existing evaluation frameworks incorporate aspects such as social value, many still emphasize structural preservation and aesthetic restoration, often underrepresenting user-centred sustainability. This study designed a template based on focus group interviews with 16 experts and a literature review. A survey involving 425 residents was conducted to evaluate the functional adaptability of heritage buildings. The findings revealed notable gaps between perceived importance and actual performance. Indicators like Ease of Maintenance and Accessible Design were rated as highly important but performed poorly, while Structural Safety and Fire Safety Systems showed strong performance but lower perceived importance. The results indicate a shift in stakeholder priorities, with operational relevance and inclusivity now outweighing traditional safety concerns. By aligning historical preservation with modern usability, the proposed framework promotes sustainable and inclusive heritage adaptation. It offers actionable insights to integrate stakeholder perspectives into evaluations and inform policy and conservation practices.