Decarbonizing the Built Environment Through Heritage (DBTH)
Case Study Evaluation
The Decarbonizing the Built Environment Through Heritage (DBTH) team has been collecting examples of heritage-informed decarbonization (HID) projects, programs, and policies to inform the development of a DBTH Toolkit. The project team now requests the feedback and expertise of CHN members on the dozens of examples we have collected to date to inform the selection of the final ~15 case studies. (Cases not developed into detailed case studies may still be included in a living index of examples.)
As part of the DBTH Toolkit, case studies must support of the DBTH project aim to accelerate the integration of transformative, cultural heritage-based solutions into climate policy at all scales. The final selection of cases must illustrate cultural, ecological, and other co-benefits of heritage-informed decarbonization (defined below) by elevating proven, replicable approaches to an ultimate audience of built environment and climate policy makers.
If you would like to participate, please review the list of cases for one or more of the regions below and consider the following questions:
Is this case likely to yield a high-quality, in-depth case study?
Is this case an effective example of HID?
Will this case effectively communicate the benefits of HID to policy makers?
If you are familiar with the case, what other sources of information should the DBTH project team be referencing?
Are there important cases in this region that are missing?
Once you have reviewed the list of cases, please complete the corresponding linked survey for that region.
Please note this case study list is in progress and is not for distribution. This site is being shared with CHN members only for feedback.
Heritage-Informed Decarbonization definition (version 4)
Heritage-Informed Decarbonization applies wisdom, practices, and places of the past to minimize greenhouse gas emissions contributions from the built environment in the present and future.
HID approaches reduce greenhouse gases while safeguarding or generating cultural value by using strategies based in both tangible heritage – materials, buildings, and places that have significance to the people who use them – and intangible heritage – traditions, knowledge and practices passed down from generation to generation.
HID can be applied to both the existing built environment and new construction from the material scale to the urban scale and across the building life cycle from project planning, design, and construction, through use and maintenance and end-of-life.
Examples of heritage-informed decarbonization include:
Use of traditional low-carbon, repairable materials in both new construction and repair or conservation of existing buildings (e.g. mud/earth and timber).
Materials salvage and reuse and deconstruction, sometimes referred to as part of materials circularity or circular economy.
Building reuse, encompassing a range of approaches from conservation to adaptive reuse.
Design of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems that are centered on occupant comfort rather than space conditions.
Passive design features that increase energy efficiency through use of formal elements like overhangs or courtyards and architectural elements such as operable shades and mass walls.
Occupant behaviors that increase energy efficiency by minimizing the need for active heating, cooling, and lighting.
Urban planning practices that support water conservation, passive cooling through wind flow, or other.
Cultural practices and relationships between built places and their inhabitants that foster practices of care and climate-responsive behaviors
Mechanisms for maintaining and recovering the knowledge, practices, and relationships that support all the above strategies.
EUROPE
Heritage Partnership Agreements
Westminster Retrofit First Policy
Caring for Our Built Heritage Sustainably Preserved (CALECHE Project)
Built Heritage Sustainable Conservation (BEACON)
BIM for Energy Efficiency in the Public Sector
European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS)
Julie's Bicycle - Arts Council England
Danish Building Code: LCAs & Emissions Threshold Standards
London Circular Economy Statement Guidance
Christo and Jeanne-Claude Center
Victorian Terrace Refurbishment & Chapel Conversion
Holm Farm Cottage Refurbishment
Government of Ireland Climate Action Plan
The Use of Natural Insulation Materials in Retrofit
European Cultural Heritage Green Paper
Course Handbook for Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings