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Heritage
Special Issues
Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment
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Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2428

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alexandra Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
2. VICARTE Research Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: heritage; conservation science; materials characterisation; cultural heritage inorganic materials; glass/stone/metal deterioration and preservation
Dr. Carla Machado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
VICARTE Research Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: heritage; conservation science; stained-glass materials; painted glass; materials characterisation
Dr. Fernanda Carvalho

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
VICARTE Research Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Campus de Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Interests: heritage; materials science; ceramic; mortars characterization; conservation–restoration
Prof. Dr. Amanda Corrêa Pinto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Conservation, Restoration and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Conservation and Restoration, Post-Graduation Program in Cultural Heritage Sciences—Federal University of Pará, Mercedários UFPA, 66010-020 Campina, Belém, Brazil
Interests: heritage; conservation science; materials characterization; biodeterioration; restoration of architectural heritage

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historical buildings can provide a unique and authentic setting for collections and can help to convey a sense of history and cultural significance. Hence, many organizations are still committed to hosting and preserving heritage collections within them.

Preserving built heritage can be a complex process when the sites also host historical collections. The maintenance of structural soundness, as well as balancing their preservation and use, can often be difficult.

In turn, preserving heritage collections in historical buildings can present several other limitations, including climate control and space constraints, security, and more costly actions for long-term conservation.

Moreover, the need to consider buildings can make use of clean energy, engage in energy-saving initiatives, provide efficient environmental controls, promote sustainability, and practice ecological awareness in regard to the conservation of heritage within the built environment seem to be growing needs.

Contributions for this Special Issue are encouraged to address (but are not restricted to) structural, architectural, or different types of materials’ deterioration and preservation, environmental control (outdoor and indoor challenges), newly developed products and materials for restoration, the sustainability of practices and environmental impact—all within the perspective of:

  • The preservation of buildings with historical and architectural value, hosting heritage collections;
  • The indoor environment and collection care challenges;
  • The use of environmentally friendly preventive and active conservation innovative approaches for heritage structures and collections, including the use of newly designed techniques and materials.

Dr. Alexandra Rodrigues
Dr. Carla Machado
Dr. Fernanda Carvalho
Prof. Dr. Amanda Corrêa Pinto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • buildings preservation
  • built heritage materials
  • outdoor environment
  • heritage care indoors
  • heritage and environment
  • sustainable conservation
  • restoration materials and techniques

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5550 KiB  
Article
Between Tradition and Practical Necessities, the Transmission of the Construction Know-How of Salt Stone Known as Agharf
by Nedjla Belkis Hamidi and Barkahoum Ferhati
Heritage 2025, 8(4), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8040144 - 20 Apr 2025
Viewed by 184
Abstract
This work explores issues related to traditional heritage, its evolution, and its transmission within construction practices. It focuses on a case study concerning the reintroduction in Tamentit, an oasis in southwestern Algeria, of a nearly forgotten construction technique: the use of a local [...] Read more.
This work explores issues related to traditional heritage, its evolution, and its transmission within construction practices. It focuses on a case study concerning the reintroduction in Tamentit, an oasis in southwestern Algeria, of a nearly forgotten construction technique: the use of a local stone known as “Agharf”, composed of saline pebbles, bound or assembled with a clay mortar enriched with salt, allowing the construction of robust structures adapted to their environment. Traditionally used in certain specific areas of the Sahara, it was notably employed in isolated regions such as Siwa in Egypt. After a long period of disuse, this technique is experiencing a renewed interest and appears to be gradually reintegrating into the local practices of artisans. This raises several questions: What justifies the return of this technique? What role does contemporary society assign to it, and what actions are being taken to ensure its sustainability? Fieldwork, consisting of on-site observations and semi-structured interviews with artisans and master artisans, the ma‘alem, was conducted to analyze their perception of this heritage, to understand the tangible and intangible aspects of the construction process, and to explore the challenges related to its transmission. The interviews reveal that, despite the challenges and reservations expressed by the community, the Agharf remains for the artisans a symbol of identity and craftsmanship, far from being a lost intangible heritage. The conditions and benefits of its use are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment)
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26 pages, 4582 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approach of Proactive Preservation of the Religions Complex in Old Cairo—Part 2: Structural Challenges
by Hany M. Hassan, Hesham E. Abdel Hafiez, Mariam A. Sallam, Chiara Bedon, Marco Fasan and Ahmed Henaish
Heritage 2025, 8(3), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8030089 - 21 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 479
Abstract
Old Cairo, also known as Islamic Cairo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing a rich tapestry of history and culture. Today, among various significant aspects, its cultural heritage necessitates the elaboration of a proactive conservation strategy, which should take advantage of the [...] Read more.
Old Cairo, also known as Islamic Cairo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing a rich tapestry of history and culture. Today, among various significant aspects, its cultural heritage necessitates the elaboration of a proactive conservation strategy, which should take advantage of the intrinsic support provided by the efforts documented in the literature that have been made in several scientific fields, disciplines, and directions over the years. Most historic religious monumental buildings in Old Cairo, in particular, not only face the effects of local seismic hazards, which are emphasized by damage by past earthquakes, but also suffer the consequences of several influencing parameters that are unique to the Cairo city context. In this sense, it is known that the structural retrofitting of these monumental buildings requires sound knowledge of technical details and criticalities, based on inspections, numerical simulations, the in-field integration of technologies, and laboratory tests. Many other gaps should also be addressed, and a sound conservation strategy should be elaborated on the basis of a multi-target approach, which could account for the structural engineering perspective but also contextualize the retrofit within the state of the art and the evolution of past events. This is the target of the contemporary “Particular Relevance” bilateral Italy–Egypt “CoReng” project, seeking to define a multidisciplinary strategy for conserving Old Cairo’s cultural heritage and focusing primarily on the case study of the Religions Complex. To this end, a review analysis of major oversights and challenges relating to historic monuments in Old Cairo is presented in this paper. Learning from past accidents and experiences is, in fact, the primary supporting basis for elaborating new operational steps and efficient approaches to mitigating challenges and minimizing the consequences of emergency events. As such, this review contribution specifically focuses on the structural vulnerability of historic monumental buildings in Old Cairo, reporting on past efforts, past strategy proposals, research experiences, and trends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment)
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21 pages, 6873 KiB  
Article
Multidisciplinary Approach of Proactive Preservation of the Religions Complex in Old Cairo—Part 1: Geoscience Aspects
by Hany M. Hassan, Hesham E. Abdel Hafiez, Mariam A. Sallam, Chiara Bedon, Marco Fasan and Ahmed Henaish
Heritage 2025, 8(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8020056 - 31 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 784
Abstract
Old Cairo is a unique site in the world because of its historical, cultural, and religious values. Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, represents a rich tapestry of history and culture. Its significance lies in its role as a center of Coptic [...] Read more.
Old Cairo is a unique site in the world because of its historical, cultural, and religious values. Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, represents a rich tapestry of history and culture. Its significance lies in its role as a center of Coptic and Islamic civilizations and its preservation of numerous historical monuments. Today, the conservation of cultural heritage demands a proactive approach that integrates a robust multidisciplinary strategy. This approach must consider the unique characteristics of the heritage itself and the extensive research and efforts devoted to various scientific fields and avenues. As a case study, the focus is on the Religions Complex, the target of the “Particular Relevance” bilateral Italy–Egypt “CoReng” project. The historic Religions Complex in Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, faces significant seismic hazards, threatening its irreplaceable Coptic and Islamic heritage. This research contribution focuses on reviewing and assessing aspects of geological and seismic hazards. This assessment serves as a crucial foundation for future vulnerability analyses and the development of effective retrofitting strategies for the Complex’s historic structures. The current work identifies critical vulnerabilities related to sub-surface geology and geotechnical conditions, various deterioration driving forces, rising groundwater levels, and earthquake ground shaking of the complex site to mitigate these risks and ensure the long-term preservation of this invaluable cultural heritage. In addition, attention is given to missing/weak characterization aspects and the proposal of possible future solutions and research developments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment)
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21 pages, 26780 KiB  
Article
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Co-Design Strategies for Achieving Harmony Between Heritage Sites and Accessibility Needs
by Maryem Lakoud, Ernesto Morales, Alicia Ruiz-Rodrigo, Isabelle Feillou, Samuel Mathieu, Jonathan Riendeau and François Routhier
Heritage 2025, 8(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8010019 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 907
Abstract
Canada’s heritage sites, while fewer in number compared to Europe, face significant challenges in accessibility due to strict preservation laws. Many were built before social inclusion became a priority, making them difficult to navigate for individuals with disabilities. For example, cobbled streets with [...] Read more.
Canada’s heritage sites, while fewer in number compared to Europe, face significant challenges in accessibility due to strict preservation laws. Many were built before social inclusion became a priority, making them difficult to navigate for individuals with disabilities. For example, cobbled streets with uneven surfaces or significant level differences create obstacles for wheelchair users and others with mobility challenges. This qualitative action research aimed to develop guidelines for shared street designs and innovative solutions that balance heritage preservation with inclusive accessibility. The study involved go along interviews with 21 participants with disabilities in Quebec City’s Petit-Champlain and Place-Royale areas, as well as the Old-Seminary. Insights from these interviews informed a co-design methodology involving three sessions with participants with disabilities, family caregivers, and experts in accessibility and heritage. The co-design sessions generated practical solutions such as lift platforms, accessible signage, and guided handrails, addressing both outdoor and indoor accessibility barriers. For indoor spaces, solutions included integrating acoustic panels and foldable seating, while outdoor recommendations emphasized autonomous access solutions like non-slip coatings and accessible elevators for winter conditions. It was concluded that achieving a balance between preservation and accessibility requires collaboration among architects, designers, heritage experts, and individuals with disabilities. This research highlights the importance of co-design as a method to ensure heritage sites remain culturally significant and universally accessible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Materials and Historic Buildings: Preservation and Environment)
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