Abstract:

Heritage studies focusing on the diverse aspects of sustainability and resilience are becoming increasingly relevant today, especially in light of an aging European housing stock, climate change, rising social inequalities and demand for cohesion. Despite the establishment of agreements to promote and encourage energy retrofit and conservation activity across Europe, most EU universities consider heritage rehabilitation as a marginal discipline. Furthermore, while digital and e-learning tools have proven particularly effective – especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic – the introduction of these tools into higher education on the conservation and sustainability of cultural heritage, seems to be rather limited.

Providing higher education on heritage and sustainability via Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs), constitutes an effective method for broad knowledge sharing and scientific networking among the international community of conservation experts, scholars, practitioners, as well as the wider public. Within this framework, the Erasmus plus organisation funded the Smart Rehabilitation 3.0 programme, which aims to bridge the gap between knowledge offered by universities and the social reality of practical skills needed in the rehabilitation of existing heritage structures. This paper presents the creation of a homogeneous curricula for the new profession of ‘Rehabilitation Expert’ in the sector of existing building stock. With this aim, new MOOC modules are being introduced to the higher education programmes at four European universities (University of Cyprus, University Technological de Catalunya, University degli Studi di Palermo, Kaunas University of Technology) and one research institution (Association Rehabimed, Barcelona). The thematic areas of the courses cover innovative rehabilitation methods and strategies (focused on minimum interventions for improved habitability), vernacular architecture, environmental design principles, timber structures and digital tools.

The theoretical and methodological implications followed in these MOOCs demonstrate the great opportunities offered by e-learning, to provide students and experts with continuous access to education, even in a state of emergency (possibility for remote asynchronous attendance). Through the implementation of such MOOCs, a significant contribution to lifelong learning about rehabilitation strategies and sustainable development is demonstrated. Finally, these courses aim to attract a wider audience across varying different backgrounds, to familiarise themselves with aspects of heritage rehabilitation and sustainability. This in turn would improve their career opportunities, increase their mobility and provide more cross-border relationships.

Keywords:

Mooc, e-learning, rehabilitation, sustainability, heritage.