Beyond the Bench: Adaptive Reuse for Social Cohesion in the Former North Kowloon Magistracy

This thesis examines the adaptive reuse of Hong Kong’s North Kowloon Magistracy, focusing on transforming this historic building into a community hub through a participatory approach. Amid Hong Kong’s rapid urban growth, the adaptive reuse of heritage sites offers a means to balance preservation with addressing local needs. This project emphasizes community involvement in the revitalization process, aiming to empower Sham Shui Po residents, particularly those in subdivided housing and facing economic hardship, while fostering cultural identity and pride. The participatory approach actively engages residents in decision-making, ensuring the Magistracy’s transformation reflects local aspirations and serves as an inclusive, community-focused resource. This process intends to strengthen connections to local heritage while creating accessible, affordable spaces for recreation, education, and social support. Through a questionnaire analysis, this study captures community insights on needs and priorities, directly informing proposed design interventions. These interventions are centered on preserving the building’s historical character while enhancing its functionality for modern use. To sustain long-term community involvement, a management plan will outline participatory governance strategies that maintain the site’s responsiveness to evolving needs.