Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.7
3.3
Journals
Sustainability
Special Issues
Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas
sustainability-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 10189

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iasmina Onescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: risk reduction; vulnerability assessment; sustainability; heritage preservation; urban studies; resilience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alexandra Iasmina Keller

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture and Town Planning, Polytechnic University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: architectural engineering; preservation of heritage buildings; aesthetic of structures; urban planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sergio Ruggieri

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Construction and Chemistry, Politecnico di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: structural engineering; seismic engineering; existing structures and infrastructures; seismic vulnerability; seismic fragility; finite element modelling; performance based earthquake engineering; machine learning; computer vision
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the current challenges in modern society is tackling sustainability’s impact on structures, architecture, and heritage. Hazardous events, such as earthquakes, fires, extreme winds, and climate change issues, have often impacted cities, causing economic, social, and human life losses. The scientific community is continuously working on defining new methods for estimating the vulnerability of existing buildings and cities and designing appropriate intervention strategies to mitigate risk and prevent catastrophic consequences. However, the correlation between architectural and structural design and sustainability aspects is currently not very well defined, highlighting the need to explore their connection. Besides the impact of various hazards on heritage buildings, it is also of utmost importance to look at the problem at an urban level and, through this, employ assessment methodologies and sustainable urban heritage management strategies.

With these goals in mind, this Special Issue aims to spur the exchange of ideas regarding innovative approaches for evaluating the vulnerability of heritage structures and urban areas under sustainability concerns. Original contributions about fundamental and applied research, exciting case studies, and complete state-of-the-art reviews are encouraged for submission to this Special Issue.

Dr. Iasmina Onescu
Dr. Alexandra Iasmina Keller
Dr. Sergio Ruggieri
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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.

Keywords

  • natural hazards
  • design and assessment
  • heritage structures
  • urban areas
  • sustainability

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

27 pages, 12741 KB  
Article
The Impact of Window Visual Permeability on Socio-Spatial Accessibility in Iranian Cultural Heritage Houses
by Seyedeh Maryam Moosavi, Còssima Cornadó, Reza Askarizad and Chiara Garau
Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9742; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219742 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
This research offers a fresh lens on Iranian cultural heritage houses by interrogating the overlooked role of Orosi windows in shaping socio-spatial accessibility and visual permeability. While these decorative stained-glass features are traditionally appreciated for their artistry and environmental performance, their functional impact [...] Read more.
This research offers a fresh lens on Iranian cultural heritage houses by interrogating the overlooked role of Orosi windows in shaping socio-spatial accessibility and visual permeability. While these decorative stained-glass features are traditionally appreciated for their artistry and environmental performance, their functional impact on visibility and spatial interaction remains underexplored. The study aims to assess how window visual permeability influences socio-spatial accessibility within the hierarchical layouts of historic houses in Iran. To this end, a quantitative approach was adopted, applying convex space analysis to examine socio-spatial dynamics and visibility graph analysis (VGA) to study visual permeability within the space syntax framework. Fifteen heritage houses were analysed under two conditions using VGA: their current status quo, and a hypothetical model in which windows were treated as fully transparent, allowing unobstructed sightlines. The analyses demonstrated that removing window barriers enhanced visual integration and connectivity across all cases. Statistical t-tests further confirmed that these differences were significant, establishing that Orosi windows exert a profound influence on visual permeability. Beyond their ornamental and climatic roles, this study redefines Orosi windows as dynamic cultural devices that actively script human visibility, privacy, and interaction, revealing how historical design intelligence can inform sustainable, culturally responsive architectural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

40 pages, 10922 KB  
Article
Beyond Energy Efficiency: Integrating Health, Building Pathology, and Community Through the Building Identity Passport for Prefabricated Housing
by Ivett-Greta Zsak, Adrian Horațiu Pescaru and Lucia-Daniela Manea
Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188176 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1162
Abstract
The preservation of architectural heritage must extend beyond historic city centres to include the large-scale prefabricated housing stock that characterises many post-socialist urban environments. These structures, often overlooked, hold both material and social value. This study focuses on prefabricated residential buildings and proposes [...] Read more.
The preservation of architectural heritage must extend beyond historic city centres to include the large-scale prefabricated housing stock that characterises many post-socialist urban environments. These structures, often overlooked, hold both material and social value. This study focuses on prefabricated residential buildings and proposes a scalable methodology for sustainable rehabilitation through a prototype tool: the building identity passport (BIP). The proposed approach integrates multi-layered diagnostics—combining building integrated modelling (BIM), thermographic surveys, occupant questionnaires, and expert interviews—into a replicable decision-support framework. Results demonstrate that the passport can synthesise tangible (physical) and intangible (perceptual, social) resources of prefabricated blocks into a coherent framework, highlighting both technical pathologies and lived experiences. Thermographic validation of BIM simulations confirms the feasibility of combining digital and on-site diagnostics, while community surveys and expert insights reveal the tensions between comfort, health, and energy efficiency. The resulting prototype provides a transparent overview of building identity, making rehabilitation strategies easier to compare, communicate, and adapt. Beyond its local application, the study underscores the broader replicability of the method: core diagnostic layers remain constant, while context-sensitive indicators can be tailored to different regions. The proposed framework thus offers municipalities and communities a practical tool to align rehabilitation with circular resource use and occupant well-being. Future work will focus on automating data processing and extending validation to diverse housing contexts, strengthening its potential as a platform for sustainable urban regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 8454 KB  
Article
Architectural Heritage Conservation and Green Restoration with Hydroxyapatite Sustainable Eco-Materials
by Alina Moșiu, Rodica-Mariana Ion, Iasmina Onescu, Meda Laura Moșiu, Ovidiu-Constantin Bunget, Lorena Iancu, Ramona Marina Grigorescu and Nelu Ion
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5788; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135788 - 24 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1505
Abstract
Sustainable architectural heritage conservation focuses on preserving historical buildings while promoting environmental sustainability. It involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to ensure that the cultural value of these structures is maintained while minimizing their ecological impact. In this paper, the use of the [...] Read more.
Sustainable architectural heritage conservation focuses on preserving historical buildings while promoting environmental sustainability. It involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to ensure that the cultural value of these structures is maintained while minimizing their ecological impact. In this paper, the use of the hydroxyapatite (HAp) in various combinations on masonry samples is presented, with the aim of identifying the ideal solution to be applied to an entire historical building in Banloc monument. The new solution has various advantages: compatibility with historical lime mortars (chemical and physical), increased durability under aggressive environmental conditions, non-invasive and reversible, aligning with conservation ethics, bioinspired material that avoids harmful synthetic additives, preservation of esthetics—minimal visual change to treated surfaces, and nanostructural (determined via SEM and AFM) reinforcement to improve cohesion without altering the porosity. An innovative approach involving hydroxiapatite addition to commercial mortars is developed and presented within this paper. Physico-chemical, mechanical studies, and architectural and economic trends will be addressed in this paper. Some specific tests (reduced water absorption, increased adhesion, high mechanical strength, unchanged chromatic aspect, high contact angle, not dangerous freeze–thaw test, reduced carbonation test), will be presented to evidence the capability of hydroxyapatite to be incorporated into green renovation efforts, strengthen the consolidation layer, and focus on its potential uses as an eco-material in building construction and renovation. The methodology employed in evaluating the comparative performance of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-modified mortar versus standard Baumit MPI25 mortar includes a standard error (SE) analysis computed column-wise across performance indicators. To further substantiate the claim of “optimal performance” at 20% HAp addition, independent samples t-tests were performed. The results of the independent samples t-tests were applied to three performance and cost indicators: Application Cost, Annualized Cost, and Efficiency-Cost-Performance (ECP) Index. This validates the claim that HAp-modified mortar offers superior overall performance when considering efficiency, cost, and durability combined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 6059 KB  
Article
Characterizing Sustainability and Assessing Biophilic Design in Vernacular Architecture: Case of Kasbahs and Ksour in South of Morocco
by Zakaria Abyaa, Khalid El Harrouni and Robin Degron
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4680; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104680 - 20 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2548
Abstract
In recent decades, sustainability and biophilic design have gained significant attention as revived concepts in architecture, offering innovative pathways to reconnect the built environment with nature. Can these principles be characterized and assessed in vernacular architectural contexts so as to be incorporated into [...] Read more.
In recent decades, sustainability and biophilic design have gained significant attention as revived concepts in architecture, offering innovative pathways to reconnect the built environment with nature. Can these principles be characterized and assessed in vernacular architectural contexts so as to be incorporated into contemporary sustainable practices? This research seeks to answer this question by examining the vernacular architecture of Kasbahs and Ksour in southern Morocco through the lens of biophilic design. The link between the two remains underexplored, specifically in the context of southern Morocco—a gap this article seeks to address. This research analyzes these heritage architectures by combining a theoretical exploration of sustainability, biophilic design (BD), and operational BD frameworks with a practical evaluation using a Biophilic Interior Design Matrix. This analysis is particularly pertinent as the contemporary society spends roughly 90% of its time indoors and is considered to be an “indoor generation”. After examining eleven vernacular buildings spread over key areas of Ouarzazate Province in southern Morocco against 54 biophilic design attributes, the findings reveal that Kasbahs and Ksour showcase sustainability and biophilic qualities. This demonstrates that Moroccan traditional architectural values can enable heritage preservation through biophilic principles to deliver culturally contextual and sustainable architectural solutions for contemporary practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 11223 KB  
Article
A Comparative Study of Bazaar Cultural Spaces in Central Asia and China
by Yingjie Ding, Tao Fan, Huan Wang and Zhao Yang
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 9083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209083 - 20 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3713
Abstract
With the advancement of modernization, traditional bazaars have encountered challenges, such as diminished vitality. Concurrently, the trend of integrating cultural spaces into bazaars has become increasingly evident. Understanding the relationship between bazaars and cultural spaces, as well as the preferences of users of [...] Read more.
With the advancement of modernization, traditional bazaars have encountered challenges, such as diminished vitality. Concurrently, the trend of integrating cultural spaces into bazaars has become increasingly evident. Understanding the relationship between bazaars and cultural spaces, as well as the preferences of users of these spaces, is crucial for enhancing bazaar vitality. Employing field research, questionnaire surveys, cross-analysis, and the narrative preference method, this paper compares the bazaar cultural spaces of Central Asia and Chinese from four perspectives: the current state of the bazaar, development overview, user preferences, and cultural space type preferences. This aims to deepen the understanding of the commonalities and differences between the two regions, and to explore the development trends of bazaars and their cultural spaces. The study reveals that (1) Spaces with diversified functions, high accessibility, and openness can enhance the vitality of the bazaar; (2) There exists a synergistic, mutually beneficial relationship between the bazaar and the cultural spaces; (3) Central Asian residents place greater emphasis on the environmental quality of the bazaar and the engaging content of its cultural spaces. In contrast, Chinese residents are more focused on the accessibility of the bazaar and the openness of the cultural spaces; (4) The function of art and culture is the preferred type of cultural space in the bazaar among residents of both regions. This study significantly contributes to the planning, design, and optimization of bazaars and their cultural spaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Design and Assessment of Heritage Structures and Urban Areas)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop