Assessing the environmental benefits of adaptive reuse in historical buildings. A case study of a life cycle assessment approach

This investigation delineates the environmental ramifications of the adaptive reuse of historic buildings through a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA) posed against traditional demolition and construction approaches. The principal research question probes the extent of environmental conservation achieved through adaptive reuse. Objectives include the empirical quantification of adaptive reuse benefits across five impact categories using a historical edifice in Zabrze, Poland, as a case study. The LCA methodology facilitates a comparative assessment of the benefits of adaptive reuse. The outcomes reveal a substantial diminution in environmental impacts, notably an 82% reduction in global warming, 51% smog formation, 27% acidification, and 21% eutrophication potential. These insights substantiate adaptive reuse as a pivotal strategy for environmental impact mitigation in the construction sector. The study highlights the challenges of maintaining the historical, cultural, and social value of old buildings while improving their sustainability and usability.