”The rate of building renovation needs to be increased,as the existing building stock represents the single biggest potential sector for energy savings.Moreover,buildings are crucial to achieving the Union objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990”according to Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union,2012.We have international objectives in Europe today,but not international regulations.Among other things,minimum energy requirements are defined at the national level and they are often not clear in case of existing buildings,including heritage buildings.The existing building stock in Norway has a great potential.Most of the buildings expected to be used in 2050,around 70-80%,are already built.A large part of them represents older buildings with a high value of cultural heritage.The use and re-use of them instead of demolition should be considered as important environmental protection.The current regulations in the Norwegian Planning and Building Act of 2010,PBL10/TEK17,are formulated for all buildings,including existing buildings.In general,in the event of modernization of any existing building,the investor must apply for an exception if the building does not meet the current requirements.Therefore,demolition is often preferred due to the lack of clear retrofitting regulations and requirements as well as uncertainty in terms of profitability for investors.However,buildings with the highest value of cultural heritage are protected by the Cultural Heritage Act of 1979,Kultunninneloven,before they meet the requirements set out in the Norwegian Planning and Building Act.This means that demolition or any changes to these buildings are not allowed or very difficult to carry out.In practice,revitalization of these heritage buildings,including upgrading them to current minimum energy requirements or higher energy standards,is a challenge.Can we effectively protect them without interrupting their revitalization? In this article,the current status of regulations and requirements for existing buildings with the highest value of cultural heritage protected by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway,Riksantikvaren,are analyzed.Conflicts and gaps in the current regulations,as well as ownership-related challenges that stop revitalization projects,are mapped.Today,the revitalization of protected buildings in Norway is challenging.Upgrading existing buildings and protecting buildings with the highest value of cultural heritage requires clear and separate regulations,requirements and guidelines that take into account to specific situation of protected buildings and cultural landscape that they create,and we can enjoy today,to preserve these unique values for future generations.
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