Considering Urban Development Paths and Processes on Account of Adaptive Reuse Projects

Abstract

This article, as part of the ‘SUMcity’ research program, aims to give a comprehensive account of the regeneration that occurred in Athens by the adaptive reuse of the old FIX Brewery to house the new Hellenic National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST). Adaptive reuse is an urban sustainability development evolving process, used to manage assets and resources efficiently, resulting in economic development, increased local attraction, and revitalized community engagement. Other than that, modern societies experience the dynamic stream of social media and smart city initiatives, amid a long-discussed and complex cultural heritage preservation backdrop. Notwithstanding the value added to the city, the interaction of sustainable development with adaptive reuse projects, culture, tourism, social media use, and smart city initiatives, along with the impact of this intangible relationship, has yet to be set in a more tangible form. Methodologically, a newly developed conceptual framework is used in order to re-define the (cor)relations among the existent concepts of sustainable development, smart city and cultural heritage. Subsequently, a primary questionnaire-based research is conducted on Instagram users’ geotagging the Hellenic National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), analyzing their views in an attempt to demonstrate the arising local potential and sustainability.

The importance of heritage conservation in architectural education at university level

“…Theoretical knowledge of general principles of conservation research and design is presented during a compulsory lecture, a seminar on the theory and history of architecture, and an urban and architectural project [30]. The latter includes revitalization of the historic quarter of buildings, renovation of the historic building (with the assumption of limiting interference with the valuable substance to those necessary for its survival and proper functioning), and the architectural and conservation project of the new building implemented in the historic environment [31,32]. It is assumed that in the end, together with other large design classes carried out at the 2 nd degree of studies, it should provide all graduates with the basics of knowledge about the valorization of historical architecture, which is implemented on the basis of the sustainable architecture assumptions [33].…”

Occupational Health and Safety Scope Significance in Achieving Sustainability

“…In connection with the above, as the world struggles to recover from the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the topic of OSH takes on a great significance in achieving sustainability [58,59]. Yet, in the context of COVID-19, new demands on the labour market such as teleworking, adequate protective measures, and proper use of personal protective equipment when physical presence cannot be avoided, are necessary new approaches to ensure health and safety [4,29,[60][61][62][63][64].…”

Shifting the Balance among the ‘Three Rs of Sustainability:’ What Motivates Reducing and Reusing?

“…Sustainability research regarding waste management has expanded in specific disciplines, such as chemical engineering, urban development, and materials science [10]. Antonis A. Zorpas's work has been instrumental in the integration of waste prevention and strategy development, framing waste management as an integral component of sustainability at the local and state level [11].…”

“…Barr tested his conceptual framework by surveying 673 residents of Exeter, UK, and found that stronger environmental values tended to underlie reduction and reuse behaviors, whereas recycling behaviors are motivated more by social pressures and convenience [10]. We built on Barr's work by examining whether certain motivations are likely to influence reducing, reusing, and recycling by testing which of three imagined scenarios was most effective in changing how people reported their likelihood to take part in reducing and reusing behaviors.…”