Adaptive Re-Use of Historic Covered Markets: A Review of Selected Cases in European Capital Cities

Adaptive re-use is essential for the sustainability of heritage buildings. It ensures cultural and socio-economic benefits through morphing conservation to regeneration urban environs. The rehabilitation historic covered markets erected in cast/wrought iron European capitals reinforces this philosophy. Through critical assessment case studies on restoration adaptive Malta, Spain, Bulgaria, paper identifies themes relevant their conservation. Based Nara Document Authenticity, artistic, historic, social, scientific dimensions each building were identified. contributes (i) an analysis areas (ii) highlights success such minimal private investment. All involve adaptation former uses associated with culinary arts products, case, a degree tampering was observed which could be said affect buildings’ significance terms authenticity. However, new interventions predominantly reversible thus overall preservation national was, all cases, ensured protected posterity.