Nowadays, the challenge of climate change and ecological transition is substantially an energy challenge for every city, which should become as energy self-sufficient as possible. In this perspective, the model of a circular city is capable of producing different multidimensional benefits, related to the economic, environmental, cultural, and social aspects. Advanced technologies and systems for energy generation, circular resource management, and reduced emissions should be implemented in cities, however, the upgrade of the existing building stock can pose challenges, particularly in protected

historic city centres. The adaptive reuse of abandoned and underused historic buildings and sites should be considered within the context of the circular economy, aligning with the principles of a circular city, if the reuse design solutions propose energy efficiency and the use of innovative materials and technologies, According to the “New European Bauhaus” initiative (European Commission, 2020), there is a strong need to create a “new sustainable and circular movement” to enhance city liveability through increased beauty, sustainability, and participation.

Hence, integrating cultural heritage adaptive reuse into the revitalization of urban historic districts and local urban planning enhances the implementation of the circular city model.

Among all the sectors that contribute to pollution in cities, it emerges that the built environment generates an enormous quantity of negative environmental impacts. The existing building stock in Europe represents 80-90% of all buildings that will exist in 2050 (World Green Building Council, 2019), while buildings are responsible for 40% of the energy consumed in Europe. The European initiative of the “New European Bauhaus” mentions that the renovation of cultural heritage is able to contribute to the green transition (European Commission, 2021) in line with the European Green Deal, through the energy retrofitting of historic buildings. Moreover, the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage can generate greater social inclusion, through the valorisation of crafts and creative industries (ICOMOS, 2021) and stimulating participatory decision-making processes.

The regeneration / reuse of architectural/cultural / landscape assets is here proposed as an entry point for the implementation of the circular city due to its multiple transversal dimensions and its multiple structural interdependencies with respect to many economic sectors (Leontief & Leontief, 1986).

Contributions are welcome from the scientific community on issues related to the innovative approach for the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage with particular reference to:

1. Analysis of circular cities' good practices, identifying investment clusters;

2. Analysis of good and best practices in the reuse of built heritage located in historic city centres, along urban waterfronts, and religious architecture;

3. Application of advanced technologies and materials (bio-materials, nano-materials) used for the historic buildings adaptive reuse projects;

4. Application of Green Certifications (LEED, BREAM, etc.) and evaluation tools (e.g. LCA; LCC, Social LCA) to assess cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects sustainability/circularity;

5. Multi-criteria evaluation tools to support cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects.

Furthermore, the selection of case studies should give special attention to participatory co-design and co-planning experiences activated in the context of cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects.

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Frontiers in Built Environment

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