Adaptive reuse projects in Belgium are seen as opportunities to develop green skills among professionals involved in these projects. Training and education programs are increasingly focused on sustainable building practices and the conservation of heritage buildings. These programs not only aim to equip workers with the necessary skills but also focus on incorporating sustainable practices that align with global sustainability goals​ (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative)​​ (www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com)​.

There are considerable innovations in green practices within the field of heritage adaptive reuse. For example, projects that transform old industrial buildings into community spaces often include the installation of modern HVAC systems that significantly reduce energy consumption. Such projects not only preserve the cultural heritage of the buildings but also transform them into examples of sustainability​ (IntechOpen – Open Science Open Minds)​​ (MDPI)​.

Often, projects related to the adaptation of tangible cultural assets are closely linked to the concept of sustainability and the preservation of existing environments and resources for future generations. This goal should be pursued alongside enhanced knowledge of materials and techniques from the object’s specific period, which often involve more manual labour and increased potential for reusing materials, as well as various ways to preserve and restore them. The transformation of cultural assets provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills related to active community engagement, and often also to social innovations.

Innovation in the field of natural materials is applied to some of the examples of adaptive heritage reuse, especially where technically needed because of the original building substance. Such innovations can be observed from two directions. The first one is through the reinvention of vernacular building practices through private organisations such as Meshtra – Traditional knowledge and crafts. Although not an innovation in a purely technical sense, it could be considered as an advance in the direction of a more sustainable built environment. The other direction is through international mass manufacturers of building materials, who research and develop technical solutions in the form of building materials with natural components, especially designed for cultural heritage.

Every building that is preserved and repurposed instead of being demolished is always more environmentally sustainable in terms of responsible consumption and production compared to any new construction. However, there is considerable room for improvement in public outreach and engagement in projects that represent common value. The potential of such projects to be a generator of innovations related to materials or methods for sustainably extending their lifespan is not fully utilised, nor is their social impact and ability to reduce inequalities.

In Cyprus, initiatives for adaptive reuse often involve integrating green skills and competences among the human resources engaged in such projects. These encompass a wide range of knowledge, abilities, and practical techniques geared towards sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship within the context of heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. This integration occurs through various means, including training and education programs aimed at equipping professionals, craftsmen, and workers with relevant green skills, such as sustainable construction techniques and energy-efficient building practices. Capacity-building activities further enhance the green skills of architects, engineers, and planners through workshops and seminars, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in sustainable design principles. Collaborative partnerships among government agencies, educational institutions, industry associations, and non-profit organizations facilitate knowledge sharing and the dissemination of best practices in green construction. Additionally, community engagement efforts raise awareness about the importance of green skills in heritage conservation, empowering local communities to contribute to sustainable development initiatives and cultural heritage preservation. Overall, these initiatives underscore the commitment to sustainability while promoting the preservation of cultural heritage in Cyprus.

In the field of heritage adaptive reuse in Cyprus, there have been notable innovations in the adoption of green practices and the emergence of green jobs aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. One example is the integration of passive design principles and energy-efficient technologies in the renovation of historic buildings for adaptive reuse. This includes strategies such as improving insulation, optimising natural lighting and ventilation, and installing renewable energy systems like solar panels or geothermal heating. Another innovation involves the use of sustainable building materials sourced locally or from recycled sources, reducing the carbon footprint associated with construction activities. Furthermore, initiatives to incorporate green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and permeable pavements into heritage adaptive reuse projects contribute to environmental conservation and climate resilience. These innovations not only enhance the energy performance and environmental sustainability of heritage buildings but also create opportunities for green jobs in fields such as sustainable construction, energy auditing, and green building certification. Overall, these examples demonstrate how the integration of green practices and the development of green jobs play a vital role in advancing sustainable development goals while preserving cultural heritage in Cyprus.

The overall environmental sustainability of heritage transformations in Cyprus can be defined by their ability to balance the preservation of cultural heritage with the promotion of sustainable development principles. Heritage transformations that prioritise energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship contribute positively to environmental sustainability. By incorporating green building practices, such as adaptive reuse, energy-efficient retrofits, and sustainable materials, heritage transformations can reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste generation, and enhance resilience to climate change impacts. Moreover, heritage transformations that respect the natural environment, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable land use contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Cyprus, including Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 15 (Life on Land), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By aligning heritage transformations with SDG objectives, Cyprus will leverage its cultural heritage assets to advance environmental sustainability and promote inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations.

In terms of green skills and competences for adaptive reuse, there are several skills that are discussed such as: 

• Manual Skills Despite all the abstract planning and administrative steps that building demands, it is ultimately about real built results. The role of the skilled trades is correspondingly essential. The shortage of skilled personnel has stood in the way of many goals of the construction industry – such as the renovation rate, housing construction and climate neutrality. In 2021, 33.5 % of all companies in the building sector reported that they did not have enough skilled personnel. In civil engineering the figure was 37.4 %. The lack of apprentices in the building trades is similarly high: In 2020, 30.7 % of all training positions in the concreting and reinforced concrete trade were unfilled, in plumbing businesses the figure was 41.1 % (BAUKULTUR Report 22/23).
• Tasks that extend beyond the mere assembly of industrial building products also restore the feeling in skilled trades personnel of having greater self-efficacy.

   

In the survey of the skilled trades, 69 % of the firms were convinced that a return to manual skills is relevant for the construction sector. The interaction of traditional techniques and new possibilities (such as through automation or laser-assisted measurement of works) could also make digital natives enthusiastic about the skilled trades. DIY stores now not only offer equipment to hire but also training courses for all those who enjoy DIY work.

Green-skills for Organization / Community (e.g social innovation and entrepreneurship; environmental ecosystem and awareness, project management, digital skills…). grasp the local context through green and sustainable values to support equity and justice for current and future generations and learn from previous. generations for sustainability.

In the context of the green skills, it is important to recognise and embrace the value of diverse perspectives and experiences is crucial for developing inclusive and effective policies. Different communities bring unique insights, knowledge, and experiences that can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development. By involving diverse voices in the decision-making process, policymakers and stakeholders can:

• Identify potential issues and obstacles that might not have been considered otherwise.
• Develop innovative and effective solutions that address the specific needs of various communities.
• Enhance the overall legitimacy and impact of the EGD, Green skills and competences.

Additionally, in Frankfurt University of Science, there has been a summer academy offering the course for Green Building in Germany: Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Monuments and Sites. By completing this course, students will be able to better understand and design energy and stormwater systems for large brownfield sites and buildings. We will produce a polished document that captures the work of the class design exercise and associated research. The design of low-carbon districts and buildings, focusing on adapting post-industrial landscapes and buildings to new ecologically restorative uses. The course will examine the adaptive reuse of both listed industrial monuments and other non-listed structures. We will consider various strategies for intervention at both the landscape scale and the building scale. (https://www.frankfurt-summer-university.de/en/courses/green-building-in-germany-adaptive-reuse-of-industrial-monuments-and-sites/)

The increased focus on green transition is leading to the expansion of professions operating in this field. As a result, the market demands more specialised technical experts capable of guiding the building or restoration process to ensure the sustainability of the final product. Consequently, companies and institutions dedicated to training these new professionals are emerging.

Good examples of this phenomenon are the organisations Green Building Council Italia and the Institute for Innovation and Transparency in Procurement and Environmental Compatibility – National Association of Regions and Autonomous Provinces (ITACA). In addition to providing green certifications for buildings, they also offer training programs for technicians who wish to learn how to issue them

Besides technical requirements for greener performances, environmental sustainability in the adaptive reuse of heritage is often addressed by recurring to a circular economy approach. This approach emphasises minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency through the continuous reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of materials. Principles belonging to this paradigm, such as designing for longevity, encouraging material recovery, and promoting regenerative practices, are considered foundational for shaping processes and resource management within these projects. By incorporating circular economy principles, adaptive reuse initiatives not only preserve cultural heritage but also contribute to broader environmental goals, creating sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient communities.

Spain has seen considerable innovations in the field of green practices and green jobs used in heritage adaptive reuse. Examples include Energy-Efficient Retrofitting, Renewable Energy Integration (integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, into heritage buildings allows for on-site generation of clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to climate mitigation efforts); Water Conservation Measures (implementation of water-saving technologies, such as rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling, and low-flow fixtures, helps conserve water resources and reduce water consumption in heritage buildings and landscapes); and ecologically-sensitive approaches to landscaping and site design, including native plantings, biodiversity enhancements, and habitat restoration, promote ecological resilience and support local ecosystems within heritage sites.

Other very useful tools for the documentation and conservation of cultural assets, linked to new technologies and which are rapidly developing, are georadar systems and drones, especially relevant for the study of archaeological heritage since they allow the necessary data to be obtained before carrying out the excavation itself. Georadar systems are used for geophysical prospecting, facilitating the non-invasive characterisation and delimitation of archaeological structures, while drones are extremely useful for the documentation, research and safeguarding of sites, especially with regard to imaging and monitoring. Moreover, other tools include the BIM methodology, GIS programs, LiDAR technology, monitoring via sensors or robotics, which help, among other tasks, to monitor environmental conditions, visualise possible damage (avoiding the handling of delicate assets, for example) or perform non-invasive analyses. One noteworthy example of robotics applied to heritage is that of devices for exploring underwater sites, designed for their documentation, surveillance and protection. 

The aforementioned digitisation of heritage is an essential resource, especially for documentary and bibliographic heritage, as well as for assets sensitive to adverse or fluctuating environmental conditions and handling. It is an essential tool for preservation and dissemination, since today there is affordable equipment that can reproduce incredibly high-quality images. It is important, however, to point out one issue that goes unnoticed when this type of project is undertaken, and that is the problem of obsolescence in the preservation of digital and digitised heritage. In order to ensure the conservation of these collections, strategies must be developed that focus on updating digital formats and systems, the ability to create sufficient backup copies, and the establishment of minimum quality standards for the documents generated or the exchange of information, respecting copyrights and national and international legislation in this regard. 

Other highly relevant resources for asset management that are linked to these digitisation processes include 3D recreations and video mapping, virtual reality and augmented reality. Virtual reality makes it possible to design and reproduce fictional images, while augmented reality completes an existing scenario enriched with digital elements. Both can have interesting applications when it comes to recreating architectural structures that have disappeared, showing the evolution of the natural landscape, completing the physical shape of an asset that is not fully intact, reproducing lost processes and techniques, etc. 

The overall environmental sustainability of heritage transformations in Spain varies depending on the specific project and its implementation. While heritage adaptive reuse projects have the potential to contribute positively to environmental sustainability by conserving historic buildings, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable practices, they may also pose challenges related to energy consumption, resource use, and environmental impacts. In general, heritage transformations in Spain have a positive impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs) which are at the core of national strategies and plans, by:

1. Preserving Cultural Heritage: Contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by preserving cultural heritage assets and promoting sustainable urban development practices.
2. Promoting Economic Growth: Supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by generating green jobs, fostering innovation, and stimulating economic activity in heritage-related sectors.
3. Reducing Environmental Impact: Addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource use through sustainable building practices and green technologies.
4. Enhancing Social Inclusion: Contributing to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by fostering community engagement, promoting cultural diversity, and ensuring equitable access to heritage resources and benefits.