Does our understanding of a Circular Economy necessitate a broader perspective on heritage? On 22 October, the sixth debate in the ‘Making the Circular Built Environment a Reality’ series focuses on the cultural dimensions of transitioning to a circular built environment. This conversation introduces a fresh viewpoint on cultural heritage, focusing on historical and aesthetic values embedded in materials.

All buildings are composed of finite materials, whether or not they are protected by heritage regulations. The need for a new ecological culture, one that prioritizes the intrinsic value of materials regardless of their historical significance, should be debated. Simultaneously, efforts to renovate buildings to enhance energy efficiency, as part of the European Renovation Wave, should align with an expanded conception of cultural heritage. By integrating material conservation, historical narratives can be honored while meeting environmental objectives. The discussion will explore how to balance heritage preservation with ecological responsibility, and how renovation, heritage, and landscapes can coexist in harmony.

Programme

Three guests will be joining us for this highly interactive session: Ana Roders (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft), Chiara Pradel (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft), and Aditya Parulekar (Royal HaskoningDHV). 
 
They will share their lessons learned and help us to understand:

1. How can we extend our cultural understanding of heritage? And what measurements should be done?
2. How should we establish a structure that protects materials the same way as buildings?
3. Can we protect buildings that are not regarded as culturally valuable? 
4. How can buildings be renovated and preserved in a circular way?

After three presentations, participants will divide into four groups, each focused on a case study of a circular renovation project. With the guidance of our guest, they will elaborate on these questions. A plenary session in the second half of the event will allow us to contextualize and reflect on the insights gained, considering the impact of material preservation. Should we scale these efforts up or make them more widespread? What can we learn from both their successes and failures?