Abstract
Built heritage acts as a vital link to the past, embodying collective memory and reflecting the historical and cultural values that shape the city's identity. Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings offers a crucial opportunity to revitalize historic structures, preserving cultural heritage while generating economic benefits. However, successful projects necessitate a deep understanding of human needs and preferences. A key factor in unsuccessful projects is the failure to select an appropriate new function for the building that resonates with users, the building's original ambiance, and its historical narrative. There is a gap between the theoretical understanding of humanization principles and their practical application within the adaptive reuse process.This paper explores the concept of "humanization" in architecture, defines its principles, and investigates its integration within the adaptive reuse process, considering the original function and the ambiance of the heritage building. Through a qualitative comparative analysis of three Egyptian heritage buildings that have undergone adaptive reuse, the research reveals best practices, challenges, and significant insights derived from these cases. The findings specifically map the applicability of integrated humanization principles in adaptive reuse, highlighting those with high potential and the associated challenges. This emphasizes the crucial role of these principles in selecting appropriate new functions that ensure both the preservation of the building's original character and the achievement of successful, sustainable outcomes.