The importance of a new approach for sustainable revitalization of heritage buildings: Erbil Citadel Houses as best practices

A groundbreaking methodology for sustainable heritage reuse, applied to the UNESCO-listed Erbil Citadel houses, demonstrates how adaptive reuse can preserve cultural integrity while enabling modern functionality. This approach minimizes invasive construction and extends building lifespans, serving as a blueprint for global heritage conservation. By integrating strategies that balance architectural significance with contemporary uses—such as cultural centers, museums, and boutique accommodations—the study highlights the potential to stimulate economic activity and foster urban development without compromising historical identity. The framework offers a scalable model for other World Heritage Sites, emphasizing environmental sustainability, cultural continuity, and adaptive reuse as key pillars of heritage conservation.

Anwar Sulaiman Goriel, W., Molnár, T., & Szeréna Zoltán, E. (2025). The importance of a new approach for sustainable revitalization of heritage buildings: Erbil Citadel Houses as best practices. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1546(1), 12090. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1546/1/012090