[{"source":"ESPI2R","description":"Introduction There are several ways of conceiving heritage conservation. For the purpose of this paper, we need to start from the premise that what we call “heritage” is a dynamic, evolving reality, and that a historic district such as “Old Québec” can undergo structuring transformations rooted in a process of heritage conservation. In Old Québec, the process of conservation —also referred to “patrimonialization”—has not received the attention it deserves. This paper aims to shed light on the process of functional requalification has undergone by Old Québec since the 1950s, within the broader context of its transformation into a historic district. It is based on discourse analysis (Berthold, 2013), supported by a diversifie body of documentation, including primary sources, such as archival documents, press reviews, geospatial and land-use data, and official reports. It is complemented by a body of scholarly literature devoted to Old Québec since the 1970s. First, we explain the sociohistorical process that led to the creation of Old Québec, starting in the 1950s. Then, we highlight the role played by tourism and the real-estate economy —includingdevelopers—in this process. Turning the Champlain District into a historic district At the turn of the 1950s, the area now known as “Old Québec” was referred to as the Champlain District. Named after the city’s main colonial founder, Champlain was one of the first areas to be settled, beginning in the early 17th century. It covers","id":3232003,"titre":"The Old Québec (Vieux-Québec) historic district: Heritage, tourism and real-estate developers since the post-war years","url":"https://www.cahiers-espi2r.fr/2305","pubDate":"Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:33:39 +0200"},{"titre":"Tackling run-down housing and climate change through the restoration of vernacular architecture? Insights on public action in Marseille's historic housing stock","url":"https://www.cahiers-espi2r.fr/2298","pubDate":"Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:33:38 +0200","description":"Context In the face of climate change and with its Mediterranean climate, the city of Marseille and its densely built historic center are likely to be increasingly confronted with risks such as heat waves, drought, and heavy rainfall in the coming years (Gaucher et al., 2020). Marseille’s historic housing stock also faces severe deterioration, especially in working-class areas of the first three districts. These issues have been highlighted since 2018 and the collapse of two buildings in the Noailles district, which caused the deaths of eight residents. The wave of mass evacuations that followed, affecting over 1,200 buildings and between 7,000 and 11,000 people over the following six-year period (Dorier, 2024), and the strong citizen reaction to these events have put run-down housing back on the public agenda in the historic city centre. Today Marseille’s city centre is the focus of an urban redevelopment project (projet partenarial d’aménagement) voted in 2019, which directly resulted from the 2018 building collapse and the crisis that followed. The project aims to tackle run-down housing, while also integrating climate change issues, notably through the restoration of vernacular architecture. This paper draws on the European research project SustHerit1 which considers the sustainable adaptation and transformation of historic housing in the context of climate change in Marseille, Vienna, Prague, Glasgow, and Zurich. It stems from the second work package of the project,","id":3231994,"source":"ESPI2R"},{"titre":"Hikari project: the first positive energy block in Europe","url":"https://www.cahiers-espi2r.fr/2169","pubDate":"Wed, 27 May 2026 10:18:39 +0200","source":"ESPI2R","description":"A block of three buildings in Lyon Confluence Hikari is a mixed-use complex located in Lyon (Confluence district), designed by Kengo Kuma between 2012 and 2015. Covering approximately 12,800 m² across three interconnected buildings, it brings together housing, offices, and retail spaces. It is recognized as the first positive energy urban block in Europe, meaning it produces more energy than it consumes for electricity, heating, and cooling. The buildings are designed to act as active energy producers. Climate-friendly energy The project relies on a combination of climate-friendly energy systems. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the roofs and façades, while solar glass façades generate electricity and regulate daylight. Energy production is further supported by combined heat and power systems using rapeseed oil, geothermal energy, and cooling drawn from the Saône River. This hybrid approach integrates multiple renewable sources. Energy efficiency through passive design Energy efficiency is also achieved through passive design strategies. The bioclimatic architecture maximizes solar gain and enhances natural daylight through the building form. Natural cooling is supported by night ventilation, while heat recovery systems capture energy from ventilation air and wastewater. Rather than relying on overly complex technologies, the design emphasizes natural processes. Energy management & system integration Energy management plays a central role in the project. The goal is to","id":2909544}]