Climate change is one of the primary threats to cultural heritage. This course introduces the fundamentals of climate change and its impact on the valuable built environment (VBE). Designed for professionals such as architects, engineers, heritage specialists and students, it explores key climate processes, indicators, and policy frameworks related to both climate change and cultural heritage protection.
Participants will gain an understanding of how climate change affects heritage buildings and sites, while developing practical skills in risk assessment methodologies and tools. Through discussions and case studies, the course provides insights into real-world examples from both EU and non-EU contexts, enabling learners to formulate effective strategies for enhancing climate resilience in cultural heritage.
This structured self-paced online course introduces the concept of circular economy in the built environment through five focused lectures. It examines the historical development of circular principles, their connection to cultural heritage, and practical tools that help apply circular principles in heritage and renovation contexts. The course also examines renovation strategies that extend building lifecycles and discusses current problems and challenges based on Estonian examples. The course is designed for architecture, construction and heritage students and professionals, as well as stakeholders interested in sustainable renovation and conservation.
This course addresses energy efficiency in the context of climate change and building renovation, focusing on the critical role of the valuable built environment in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. It introduces the fundamental principles of energy efficiency and building renovation strategies within the VBE.
Participants explore key topics such as energy efficiency policies and regulatory frameworks, CO₂ reduction strategies, and methods for calculating emissions in buildings. The course also covers building physics, energy performance assessment, and certification systems, providing a solid foundation for evaluating building efficiency and renovation measures.
The course Repair and Refurbishment in VBE is an asynchronous intermediate to advanced module that introduces key repair and refurbishment strategies for existing and historic buildings, with a focus on sustainable materials, component repair, pollutant treatment, and heritage practice. It covers topics such as low-CO2 cements, Roman-inspired cement materials, geopolymers, CycloPlasma, window repair, wood conservation, salt-related deterioration, and adaptive reuse through the case study of the Alte Schaefflerei in Benediktbeuern. The course is designed for practitioners and experts working in refurbishment, heritage conservation, building materials, and building physics.
Climate change presents significant challenges for the built environment, particularly for valuable buildings and built heritage, which require careful management, protection, and sustainable renovation. Preserving these buildings while improving their environmental performance is essential for reducing carbon emissions and ensuring long-term resilience.
This course, developed within the EU‑REPAIR Project, focuses on practical approaches to the repair, reuse, and renewal of valuable built environments (VBE). It supports professionals, students, and communities in developing the knowledge and skills needed to manage heritage buildings in a climate-responsible and sustainable way.
Through research, training, and collaboration, the project promotes climate-friendly renovation solutions and encourages stronger connections between professionals, educators, and institutions working in the field of sustainable built heritage.