How can I emulate 1.7.10's adventure mode in 1.8?

Up until Minecraft 1.7.10 I enjoyed playing in adventure mode, which restricts one to use the right tools to destroy or harvest blocks (to have a more realistic experience).

In this version (and before that), it was still possible to place blocks without much restrictions. But now in 1.8, sadly, I discovered that this behaviour was changed, and my favourite gamemode was "gone": I'm unable to place any blocks and cannot break any blocks even when using the proper tool (axe for trees etc.).

How can I emulate 1.7.10's adventure mode while playing the new version (1.8)? Can I define rules for every tool with the command block somehow?

(PS: i would prefer a solution without modding the game, staying with pure vanilla MC if possible)

Create an entitydata command that will edit your inventory. The only thing it will change is add this tag to all items in the inventory: CanPlaceOn:["minecraft:stone","minecraft:grass_block","minecraft:dirt"... putting all block IDs on. Then create an array of command blocks facing upwards. The bottom layer will be repeating command blocks with: clear @p TOOLNAME 0 1 The top layer will be chain conditional command blocks with command: give @p TOOLNAME 1 1 {CanDestroy:[in this box you put all blocks you want the tool to break]}

This will take a while. But once you are done upload map to the internet and enjoy adventure-loving people wanting to play on it!