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Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage
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Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 18 August 2026 | Viewed by 6039

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jorge Feijoo Conde

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Defense University Center at the Spanish Naval Academy, University of Vigo, Plaza de España 2, Marín, 36920 Pontevedra, Spain
Interests: cultural heritage; soluble salts; desalination; consolidation; non-destructive testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Iván Garrido González

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Defense University Center at the Spanish Naval Academy, University of Vigo, Plaza de España 2, Marín, 36920 Pontevedra, Spain
Interests: cultural heritage; infrared thermography; computer vision; digital image processing; machine learning and deep learning.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled “The Sustainability of Architectural and Cultural Heritage”, which seeks to explore innovative approaches and emerging challenges in ensuring the long-term preservation and resilience of our built heritage.

Cultural and architectural heritage represent invaluable cultural, historical, and social assets. Their conservation is not only a matter of material protection, but also of ensuring sustainable management, use, and adaptation in the face of environmental, economic, and social changes. This Special Issue aims to highlight how recent advancements in materials, intervention methods, diagnostic techniques, and management strategies contribute to the sustainable conservation of heritage sites.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development or improvement of materials and sustainable technologies used in architectural and cultural heritage conservation.
  • Use of nanomaterials and eco-compatible solutions that enhance durability and reduce environmental impact.
  • Application of non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring techniques (e.g., infrared thermography, electrical tomography, ground-penetrating radar) for early detection of pathologies and condition assessment.
  • Innovative and sustainable intervention methods that minimize environmental risk and respect the authenticity of heritage.
  • Optimization of conservation protocols and treatment procedures to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Integrated management approaches that promote the long-term sustainability of heritage conservation, including risk management, stakeholder involvement, and policy frameworks.
  • Case studies demonstrating sustainable practices in heritage conservation, from material analysis to strategic planning.

We also welcome contributions on other relevant topics not explicitly listed here, as long as they align with the overarching theme of this Special Issue—advancing the sustainability of architectural and cultural heritage through materials, methods, and management.

Dr. Jorge Feijoo Conde
Dr. Iván Garrido González
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

  • heritage conservation
  • sustainable materials
  • non-invasive diagnostic techniques
  • cultural heritage management
  • sustainable interventions
  • historic building preservation

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 8903 KB  
Article
SiO2NPs/Paraloid B-72 Nanocomposite-Based Formulation for Sustainable Restoration and Mitigation of Fungal Deterioration of Sandstone Cultural Heritage
by Mohamed Hssan Hassan Abdelhafez, Mabrouk Touahmia, Ali Aldersoni, Hassan Ismail, Ahmed Sallam, Mohamed Saleh, Khaled Elkhayat and Mona M. E. Khalil
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083860 - 14 Apr 2026
Viewed by 605
Abstract
This study evaluates a SiO2 nanoparticle (SiO2NPs)/Paraloid B-72 nanocomposite as a restorative and antifungal treatment for deteriorated sandstone at the Ptolemaic Temple of Isis, located within a densely populated residential area. The temple stones exhibit structural damage, soiling, and severe [...] Read more.
This study evaluates a SiO2 nanoparticle (SiO2NPs)/Paraloid B-72 nanocomposite as a restorative and antifungal treatment for deteriorated sandstone at the Ptolemaic Temple of Isis, located within a densely populated residential area. The temple stones exhibit structural damage, soiling, and severe microbiological deterioration. Fungal isolates from the sandstone were cultured on PDA medium and identified by ITS region DNA sequencing as Alternaria alternata, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Aspergillus niger. The SiO2NPs and their Paraloid B-72 nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Stone samples, examined before and after treatment via SEM-EDX, TEM, and XRD, were used to assess both conservation performance and compatibility. Laboratory antifungal tests showed that SiO2NPs at 300 ppm exhibited the greatest inhibition of mycelial growth, reaching 91.59% for P. chrysogenum, 90.77% for A. niger, and 85.2% for A. alternata. Mechanical testing demonstrated that treatment with the SiO2NPs/Paraloid B-72 nanocomposite enhanced stone strength, increasing compressive strength from 26.5 MPa to 27.4 MPa. SEM images confirmed excellent, homogeneous dispersion of the nanocomposite on stone grains, forming a coherent coating without pore occlusion. Overall, the SiO2NPs/Paraloid B-72 formulation improved sandstone surface properties while substantially improving short-term mechanical performance and antifungal efficacy, indicating promise for enhancing restoration procedures when combined with established conservation protocols for sandstone architectural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage)
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37 pages, 4724 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Sustainable Adaptive Reuse Alternative for Architectural Heritage Through the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) Method—A Study of a National Monument of Nigeria
by Obafemi A. P. Olukoya
Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18063070 - 20 Mar 2026
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Adaptive reuse has emerged to become a tool for implementing the understanding of sustainability in the domain of architectural conservation, as it encourages the continued usage of old buildings as means of reducing environmental impact, as well as preserving socio-cultural capital while generating [...] Read more.
Adaptive reuse has emerged to become a tool for implementing the understanding of sustainability in the domain of architectural conservation, as it encourages the continued usage of old buildings as means of reducing environmental impact, as well as preserving socio-cultural capital while generating economic income. However, in its practice, the decisions regarding granting meanings, interpretation, and preserving memories within adaptation processes are dominated by expert-driven approaches that inadequately incorporate stakeholder values or intangible heritage dimensions. To this end, this study aims to contribute to the current debate by adopting a participatory co-evaluation framework that integrates both authenticity perspectives and sustainability dimensions using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for evaluating adaptive reuse alternatives for an abandoned prefabricated wooden heritage building. Stakeholder priorities were drawn through a workshop and transformed into normalized weights using the Simos technique. Four design alternative typologies—namely, Continuity, Cultivation, Differential, and Optimization—were assessed and compared against 20 performance indicators across heritage, social, ecological, and economic criteria using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Indicator-level analyses and sensitivity tests (±10% and ±20% weight variations) were applied to confirm the robustness of rankings. The results from the best-performing alternative demonstrated the trade-offs between heritage authenticity and sustainability objectives, as well as demonstrating how combining participatory methods with quantitative evaluation can support evidence-based decision-making for adaptive reuse. The applied integrated framework helps bridge the gap between heritage theory and practice by combining authenticity, participation, and sustainability in one analytical approach, supporting evidence-based decisions for adaptive reuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage)
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37 pages, 4854 KB  
Article
Culturally Sustainable Site Selection of Bazaars: A Spatial Analytics Approach in Ürümqi, Xinjiang
by Tao Fan, Hao Xu, Chunbo Cao and Bing Li
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010151 - 23 Dec 2025
Viewed by 654
Abstract
This study develops a spatial-analytical framework that integrates commercial hierarchy theory with cultural sustainability principles to support the sustainable development of traditional cultural marketplaces. Using kernel density estimation and Ripley’s K function analysis of 160 bazaars and 83,127 POI data points in Ürümqi, [...] Read more.
This study develops a spatial-analytical framework that integrates commercial hierarchy theory with cultural sustainability principles to support the sustainable development of traditional cultural marketplaces. Using kernel density estimation and Ripley’s K function analysis of 160 bazaars and 83,127 POI data points in Ürümqi, we established a hierarchical business district classification system incorporating both cultural-demographic factors and commercial indicators. Our findings reveal that culturally attuned spatial planning generates synergistic effects between heritage conservation and contemporary development needs. The research contributes to sustainable urban theory by extending Central Place Theory through cultural dimensions while providing practical design strategies validated through 15 case studies. This framework offers urban planners an implementable revitalization approach that maintains cultural authenticity while achieving a balance between commercial vitality and social cohesion, thereby presenting an effective pathway for sustainable urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage)
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33 pages, 28392 KB  
Article
Research on the Integration and Application of Industrial Architectural Heritage Information Under the Concept of Sustainability: A Case Study of the Architecture Building at Inner Mongolia University of Technology
by Long He, Di Cui, Min Gao, Minjia Wu and Yongjiang Wu
Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210022 - 10 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1678
Abstract
In the context of digital transformation for industrial heritage conservation propelled by China’s National Industrial Heritage Management Measures, evidence regarding the trade-offs among accuracy, completeness, and efficiency within the acquisition–registration–integration pipeline, as well as transferable methodologies, remains inadequate. Addressing key challenges in information [...] Read more.
In the context of digital transformation for industrial heritage conservation propelled by China’s National Industrial Heritage Management Measures, evidence regarding the trade-offs among accuracy, completeness, and efficiency within the acquisition–registration–integration pipeline, as well as transferable methodologies, remains inadequate. Addressing key challenges in information integration for industrial architectural heritage in Inner Mongolia—such as fragile media, weak sustainability, and severe information silos—demands a systematic solution. This paper proposes a BIM-based three-dimensional digital preservation framework centered on “Space-Time-Value” and empirically validates its workflow effectiveness and database interoperability. Focusing on the Inner Mongolia University of Technology Architecture Building, a prime exemplar of adaptive reuse in the region, we employed terrestrial 3D laser scanning and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) oblique photogrammetry to acquire a 13.8-billion-point cloud. Using Autodesk Revit, we developed an LOD400 model (comprising 12 component types and 349 parametric families), achieving systematic integration of structural data, spatial evolution information, and non-geometric attributes. Comparative evaluation shows that this workflow outperforms baselines in geometric accuracy, facade completeness, and processing efficiency, while significantly enhancing the integration and retrieval capabilities for heterogeneous data. The research establishes a “Multi-source Data Integration + Sustainable Utilization” digital paradigm for industrial architectural heritage, providing a replicable methodology for whole-life-cycle management and adaptive reuse. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage)
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29 pages, 28319 KB  
Article
A Study on the Defensive Characteristics and Sustainable Conservation Strategies of Ming Dynasty Coastal Defence Settlements in Fujian
by Jingyi Xiong, Chunshan Ke, Mingjing Xie, Kaida Chen and Xiaodong Wang
Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8406; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188406 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 2094
Abstract
The maritime defence settlements of the Ming Dynasty are a key component of China’s military cultural heritage. This study examines the three coastal defence sectors of Fujian by establishing a three-tier evaluation framework utilising GIS spatial analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) [...] Read more.
The maritime defence settlements of the Ming Dynasty are a key component of China’s military cultural heritage. This study examines the three coastal defence sectors of Fujian by establishing a three-tier evaluation framework utilising GIS spatial analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for quantitative assessment. The findings reveal that the synergy between military outposts significantly enhances overall defence effectiveness, while the independent defence capability of each stronghold is crucial for withstanding external threats. A comprehensive evaluation further indicates that the Fujian central coastal defence sector, characterized by its robust economy and densely distributed fortifications, demonstrates the highest level of defensive performance. By systematically quantifying the defensive performance of Fujian’s maritime defence settlements, this study develops an evaluation model that provides a scientific basis and decision support for value assessment, sustainable conservation, and adaptive reuse of this category of military cultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Conservation of Architectural and Cultural Heritage)
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