Digital Technology and Conservation Science for Sustainable Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Interdisciplinary Studies, Challenges, and Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability, as a social concept and goal of “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”, also accurately defines the essence of cultural heritage conservation.  The evolution of society has raised the awareness to preserve intangible heritage as an ineluctable part of our identity. These efforts for preservation were crystalized into the Faro Convention, which promotes a wider understanding of heritage as an irreversible and unique cultural resource, as well as its relationship to communities and society. The sustainable preservation and management of cultural heritage is increasingly supported by innovative technological advancements that aim to balance heritage conservation with environmental responsibility. Key approaches such as digitization, digital restoration, and reconstructions are integral to sustaining cultural assets by providing virtual representations that can be used for ongoing conservation efforts without physical intervention. The concept of digital twins, where real-time virtual replicas of cultural heritage sites and artefacts are created, offers significant contributions to sustainability. These digital models allow for continuous monitoring, data analysis, and decision-making, enabling the proactive preservation of cultural heritage while reducing the environmental impact of traditional conservation methods Moreover, the integration of digital management strategies for museums, archives, and historical sites facilitates more efficient resource-conscious operations. Innovative theories and methodologies are being developed to ensure sustainable cultural heritage conservation practices, advocating for eco-friendly low-impact approaches that minimise damage to the physical environment and the heritage artefact itself. Multi-modal conservation approaches, which incorporate various technological tools and methods, enhance the effectiveness of conservation strategies and encourage the use of resources more efficiently. In the context of built heritage, reconversion practices—where historical buildings are repurposed for modern use—promote sustainable reuse, reducing the need for new construction, while preserving the cultural and historical value of these sites.

This Special Issue aims to attract high-quality manuscripts that explore how these technologies and methodologies contribute to the sustainability of cultural heritage, highlighting their role in minimising the environmental impact of preservation efforts while ensuring the continued accessibility, engagement, and protection of our cultural legacy for future generations. Dialogue between the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is encouraged, playing a catalytic role in the research and innovation in the heritage conservation field, a common effort which contributes in reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for future generations. The keywords below are not meant to be limiting, and we will consider sustainable cultural heritage conservation in its widest sense.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Lucian-Cristian Ratoiu
Dr. Monica Dinu
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• digitization, digital restoration, reconstructions, and digital twins
• digital management and innovative strategies
• innovative theories and methodologies
• multi-modal approaches
• heritage reconversion
• accessibility
• preventive conservation
• risk assessment studies