Framework for the quantitative assessment of authenticity : a case study of heritage buildings in Karachi

Abstract

This research develops a comprehensive framework for assessing authenticity in heritage conservation by addressing the methodological gap between material-based evaluations and experiential, socio-cultural dimensions. Conventional conservation practices have predominantly emphasized the physical preservation of heritage structures, often overlooking the dynamic, perceptual, and community-embedded aspects of authenticity. As a result, assessments tend to remain incomplete, lacking sensitivity to local cultural narratives, spatial experiences, and evolving urban contexts. Building upon a critique of traditional qualitative approaches, this study conceptualizes authenticity as a multi-dimensional and co-constructed phenomenon, shaped by memory, perception, cultural practice, and spatial engagement. In response, the research proposes a new Framework for the Assessment of Authenticity (FAA), developed through case studies of adaptively reused heritage buildings in Karachi, Pakistan. The FAA comprises three interconnected methodological tools: the Heritage Building Inventory Form (HBIF), the Place Authenticity Matrix (PAM), and the Quantitative Authenticity Assessment Matrix (QAAM). Together, these instruments enable the collection of visual, technical, and experiential data, which are synthesized into a structured, quantifiable authenticity grading system. The study employs a mixed-methods design, integrating site surveys, memory recall tasks, card-sorting exercises, and semi-structured interviews to capture both qualitative and quantitative insights. The QAAM, as the culminating tool, translates complex authenticity indicators into measurable outputs, allowing for comparative evaluation across diverse heritage contexts. The framework was tested and validated on twelve heritage buildings in Karachi, with further feedback obtained from international conservation experts in Portugal, India, Bahrain, and Thailand. Findings confirm that the proposed framework provides a replicable, contextually sensitive, and comprehensive tool for assessing authenticity in heritage buildings. It contributes both theoretically by bridging authenticity theory and empirical evaluation and practically by offering heritage professionals, planners, and 5 policymakers a robust model for conservation assessment. The research thus enhances existing discourse on authenticity and proposes a meaningful contribution to heritage management practices globally.