Integrating built heritage and sustainable development: can assessment tools be used to understand the environmental performance of existing buildings with heritage significance?

Attention is turning to the long-term management of the existing building stock, and in particular the adaptation of existing buildings, to achieve more efficient use of resources, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (CSIRO, undated; Kohler and Hasser, 2002; Itard and Klunder, 2007; Empty Homes Agency, 2008; Thomsen and van der Flier, 2009). It is asserted that adaptation of existing buildings can play a key role in sustainable development (Wood, 2005; Douglas, 2006; Kohler and Yang, 2007; Bullen, 2009; Wilkinson, 2009).