MANAGEMENT OF THE RENOVATION OF MONUMENTS TO OPTIMISE THE BUILDINGS UTILITY VALUES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY (CASE STUDY RZUCHÓW, POLAND)

Abstract

Historic buildings are an essential component of the national heritage, constituting the fundamental determinants of the cultural identity of each society. The protection and conservation of monuments is a manifestation of care and evidence of responsibility for them. The way owners deal with historic buildings has its specificity. Management, protection, and sharing should follow the conservation rules defined by law and good practices.  

After World War II, due to Poland's historical, political, and socio-economic transformations, some historic buildings gradually degraded and lost their original functions. Devastated monuments are often considered redundant by society. Effective use of them for new functions allows society to preserve unique elements of the landscape and develop the economic and social potential of the monument's surroundings. 

The renovation of monuments andtheir adaptation to a new function should be preceded by a multi-level analysis allowing for the sustainable revitalisation of the building.

The diversity of types of monuments, their state of preservation, location, and the form of ownership significantly affect the procedure. This article aims to present a holistic approach to the renovation of monuments and sustainable management of these objects. The concept is based on the results of questionnaire research and considers conservation guidelines, pro-environmental solutions, utility value and the socio-economic potential of the monument.   

The survey conducted with the owners of the monuments described in the article is the basis for determining the conditions for the sustainable revitalisation of monuments. The results of the survey will help to develop a management model for this process. An example of a sustainable revitalisation of a monument is the activity of the Foundation for the Protection of Cultural Goods, which is renovating the palace in Rzuchów for cultural and scientific purposes.