Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model

Climate change, pollution, and inequalities are prominent issues in cities and regions, calling for an ecological and cultural transition towards a sustainable society where wellbeing, quality of life, ecosystems human health and equity are prioritized. Circular economy and circular city models offe...

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Main Authors: M. Angrisano, M. Bottero, G. Cavana, F. Fabbrocino, A. Gravagnuolo, L. Fusco Girard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Built Environment
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1561982/full
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author M. Angrisano
M. Bottero
G. Cavana
F. Fabbrocino
A. Gravagnuolo
L. Fusco Girard
L. Fusco Girard
author_facet M. Angrisano
M. Bottero
G. Cavana
F. Fabbrocino
A. Gravagnuolo
L. Fusco Girard
L. Fusco Girard
author_sort M. Angrisano
collection DOAJ
description Climate change, pollution, and inequalities are prominent issues in cities and regions, calling for an ecological and cultural transition towards a sustainable society where wellbeing, quality of life, ecosystems human health and equity are prioritized. Circular economy and circular city models offer frameworks for achieving these objectives, promoting symbiotic relationships between different forms of capital within urban ecosystems: economic, environmental, social, cultural, institutional and human capitals. Historic urban areas, through the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage, can contribute to the circular economy model, enhancing urban metabolism while preserving cultural integrity. Co-design and co-planning processes involving stakeholders and communities are essential to realize the circular city, thus integrating conservation with development. The aim of this paper is to conduct an ex post analysis of cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects in Europe, that are particularly well “performing” from the perspective of the circular economy implementation in cities and regions. Circular economy is interpreted not only in terms of reuse/regeneration of waste, but also has promoting a new mindset. These examples are examined based on specific criteria and indicators from the EU-funded Horizon 2020 CLIC research project, identifying success factors, tools, and models emerging from good practices that can potentially be replicated and transferred for the circular adaptive reuse of Italian cultural heritage. Particular attention in the selection of case studies has been given to the co-planning and co-design experiences activated, to highlight the social innovation capacity of the analysed adaptive reuse projects.
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spelling doaj-art-cdc28659d94942feabddbb6707fd0d122025-08-20T03:26:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Built Environment2297-33622025-06-011110.3389/fbuil.2025.15619821561982Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city modelM. Angrisano0M. Bottero1G. Cavana2F. Fabbrocino3A. Gravagnuolo4L. Fusco Girard5L. Fusco Girard6Engineering Department, Pegaso Telematic University, Naples, ItalyInteruniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning - DIST Politecnico di Torino, Turin, ItalyInteruniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning - DIST Politecnico di Torino, Turin, ItalyEngineering Department, Pegaso Telematic University, Naples, ItalyCNR ISPC - Institute of Heritage Science, Naples, ItalyEngineering Department, Pegaso Telematic University, Naples, ItalyProfessor Emeritus University of Naples Federico II, Naples, ItalyClimate change, pollution, and inequalities are prominent issues in cities and regions, calling for an ecological and cultural transition towards a sustainable society where wellbeing, quality of life, ecosystems human health and equity are prioritized. Circular economy and circular city models offer frameworks for achieving these objectives, promoting symbiotic relationships between different forms of capital within urban ecosystems: economic, environmental, social, cultural, institutional and human capitals. Historic urban areas, through the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage, can contribute to the circular economy model, enhancing urban metabolism while preserving cultural integrity. Co-design and co-planning processes involving stakeholders and communities are essential to realize the circular city, thus integrating conservation with development. The aim of this paper is to conduct an ex post analysis of cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects in Europe, that are particularly well “performing” from the perspective of the circular economy implementation in cities and regions. Circular economy is interpreted not only in terms of reuse/regeneration of waste, but also has promoting a new mindset. These examples are examined based on specific criteria and indicators from the EU-funded Horizon 2020 CLIC research project, identifying success factors, tools, and models emerging from good practices that can potentially be replicated and transferred for the circular adaptive reuse of Italian cultural heritage. Particular attention in the selection of case studies has been given to the co-planning and co-design experiences activated, to highlight the social innovation capacity of the analysed adaptive reuse projects.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1561982/fullbuilt heritageparticipationcivic engagementadaptive reusecase studiescircular economy
spellingShingle M. Angrisano
M. Bottero
G. Cavana
F. Fabbrocino
A. Gravagnuolo
L. Fusco Girard
L. Fusco Girard
Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
Frontiers in Built Environment
built heritage
participation
civic engagement
adaptive reuse
case studies
circular economy
title Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
title_full Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
title_fullStr Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
title_full_unstemmed Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
title_short Adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage: towards the implementation of the circular city model
title_sort adaptive reuse of cultural built heritage towards the implementation of the circular city model
topic built heritage
participation
civic engagement
adaptive reuse
case studies
circular economy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2025.1561982/full
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