Politecnico di Torino participates in FRH Conference

Politecnico di Torino, as the Advisory Lead Partner of REliHE, took part in the Future for Religious Heritage (FRH) Conference 2024 in Kraków, where experts from around the world gathered to discuss the evolving role of religious heritage in the face of contemporary challenges. The conference, titled "Religious Heritage in Transition: Challenges and Solutions," explored how religious heritage sites can adapt to modern needs while preserving their historical and cultural significance.

Key topics at the conference included the impact of climate change, demographic shifts, and secularization on religious heritage. As evidencied in our project, many religious buildings, particularly in rural areas, are losing their original function and falling into disrepair. This creates complex challenges related to their management, ownership, and reuse. Experts at the event emphasized that the future of these sites lies not only in conservation but in finding sustainable, innovative ways to reuse them.

The conference featured several study visits to religious heritage sites in Kraków and took place at the Galicia Jewish Museum, offering attendees an immersive experience within the city's rich cultural and historical context.

Politecnico di Torino contributed to the discussions, engaging with specialists on themes such as resilient heritage, addressing issues like abandoned sites and renewable energy, and digital futures, which looked at new technologies such as 3D mapping and virtual reality to promote and preserve heritage. The conference also focused on quality of life, exploring the role of religious heritage in enhancing community well-being and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event provided an important platform for exchanging ideas and experiences to ensure that Europe’s religious heritage remains a fundamental and sustainable part of its cultural landscape.