Climate Solutions Based on Cultural Heritage Development

Climate change continues escalating worldwide, and people struggle with adverse weather conditions. This change necessitates developing strategies for suitable microclimates, harnessing natural energy and utilising local materials. The impact of climate change has yet to be defined, but it is evident that low-income communities often bear the brunt of global warming's effects. Studying vernacular architecture allows for understanding early forms of resilience that can evolve for innovative climate adaptation. Hassan Fathy's work shows how tradition evolves while maintaining and enhancing its identity. Crafts fall under these traditions, showing another form of this adaptation carrying aesthetic, functional and social significance. Cultural heritage is an early stratification representing the evolution of tangible and intangible traditions over time. Its perseverance depends on the capacity to evolve in contemporary rituals and new social conventions. Cultural heritage is essential in this research while maintaining an identity as a key growth factor. These crafts facilitate working avenues and aid the economy. Exploration of vernacular architecture through literature review and some exhibitions shows cultural heritage's proactive role in adapting to climate change, circular economy, inclusion and sustainability development of urban contexts. In particular, the contribution explores the (مشربية) “Mashrabiya” craft, a traditional element rooted in the architecture of the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe. This architectural element provides a means for exploring this intersection between heritage and contemporary design. Maintaining local memory means maintaining identity and tradition and, therefore, the heritage of practices and techniques that constitute the “know-how” of each territory and community. Sustainable development and the protection of cities must instead stimulate discussion, cooperation and interdisciplinary exchange between researchers, urban planners, designers, and artisans to innovate tradition and increase resilience in continuity with the cultural roots of the territories. The document also highlights the importance of the role and commitment of artisans in this new approach aimed at recovering and innovating traditional climate adaptation methods. Cities’ development and protection with innovation, the aim is to stimulate discussion, cooperation and interdisciplinary interchange among researchers, planners, designers and craftspeople.