Cultural Heritage in the face of climate change: Between preservation and adaptation. An exploratory case study on the integration of climate adaptation into UNESCO World Heritage Site "Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof"

Climate adaptation within UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) is feasible but fraught with challenges, particularly when balancing preservation needs with structural or visible modifications. A case study of Regensburg’s Old Town and Stadtamhof reveals that while measures like greening or depaving offer climate resilience benefits, they often clash with heritage conservation goals and aesthetic concerns about the historic townscape. Additional barriers include social resistance, institutional constraints, technical limitations, and financial resource shortages. However, the site’s inherent features—such as cool streets, robust historic structures, adaptive reuse potential, and historical knowledge—provide opportunities for climate adaptation. Successful integration requires systemic approaches, cross-sector collaboration, public acceptance, sufficient resources, and a more flexible interpretation of heritage conservation. The study underscores that effective climate adaptation in WHS demands more than technical solutions; it necessitates a holistic, cooperative, and adaptive framework to navigate complex trade-offs.

Brunkhorst, H. (2026). Cultural Heritage in the face of climate change: Between preservation and adaptation. An exploratory case study on the integration of climate adaptation into UNESCO World Heritage Site "Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof" [Zenodo]. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.22813579