Adapt or Abandon; The Future of Heritage Buildings in England's Changing Climate
My master's thesis aims to explore one of the defining challenges facing the built environment: how can we protect historic buildings while ensuring they remain viable in a rapidly changing climate?
Historic buildings hold cultural memory, community identity, and significant embodied carbon, yet they are often among the most difficult buildings to adapt. As climate change intensifies and the drive toward Net Zero accelerates, tensions are emerging between traditional conservation approaches and the need for environmental intervention. Too often, decisions about retrofit are influenced by short-term risks to heritage significance, while the long-term consequences of climate inaction remain less visible.
The research investigates the political, procedural, technological, and societal barriers that affect the climate-resilient retrofit of England's heritage buildings, with a particular focus on vacant and underused industrial and civic assets. Through policy analysis, case study research, and a review of contemporary conservation practice, the study examines whether current planning frameworks provide sufficient support for balancing heritage protection with climate adaptation and decarbonisation goals.
At its heart, the thesis asks a broader question about stewardship. If historic buildings are to survive for future generations, should conservation be defined solely by protecting historic fabric, or by enabling these places to continue serving communities in a changing world? The research argues that the long-term future of heritage may depend not on resisting change, but on managing it thoughtfully and responsibly.
Thesis Proposal
