Architecture in times of climate crisis – selected aspects

Julia Sowińska-Heim

doi:10.26485/AI/2024/26/8

Authors

Julia Sowińska-Heim Department of History of Architecture Institute of History of Art, University of Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3810-596X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26485/AI/2024/26/8

Keywords:

circular design, adaptive reuse, recycle, sustainable design, climate change, buildings and the climate crisis, refurbishment architecture

Abstract

Growing crises and social challenges, as well as environmental threats have catalysed the search for new solutions and rethinking of priority issues in relation to the contemporary architectural design process. Taking into account that, according to the UN, world's population living in urban areas will grow to almost 70 per cent by 2050, it is essential to seek solutions that will lessen negative environmental impacts in order to reduce growing threats, ensure living comfort and preserve biodiversity. Cities are a key contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, energy and raw material consumption. Buildings play a prominent role in this process, with significant adverse environmental impacts present at every stage of their life cycle. This paper will examine activities based on the triad: recycle, repair and re-use, which, by changing the way of thinking about the building process, will contribute directly to softening its negative impact on the environment.

Author Biography

Julia Sowińska-Heim, Department of History of Architecture Institute of History of Art, University of Lodz, Poland

Professor at the University of Łódź. She is an art and architecture historian currently working on contemporary reinterpretation of architectural heritage and its preservation. She was the vice president of the standing commission of Łódź Centre of Revival Committee and a member of the international expert committee of the Belgian Research Foundation (two terms).

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