Wenny Arminda, Putri Qonita Nurdin, Rakha Efriza, Syafiqah Nazurah Mukhtar
Betung Bay served as the administrative centre during Dutch colonialism. However, the city was later destroyed and abandoned. Many heritage buildings in the area showcase Art Deco and Indische styles, but they are currently empty and neglected. This research aims to delve into the historical significance of the old city and explore potential uses for these heritage buildings. The research utilizes a post-positivism approach with a qualitative method using a grounded theory approach. Data was gathered through observation, interviews, and documentation, and subsequently analysed to uncover historical, cultural, and social values. The findings highlighted that the area once housed numerous entertainment amenities and fully catered to community needs. However, these heritage buildings now stand empty, with some repurposed as parking lots. It is essential to safeguard these buildings and consider adaptive reuse for new functions while preserving their historic significance and structure. The hope is for the outcomes of this research to serve as the foundation for the government in managing historical areas for conservation. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Regional and Infrastructure Technology, Institute Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, Selatan, Indonesia; Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia