The Netherlands is a country where centuries of living with water have produced both a rich water-related heritage and a tradition of design knowledge that is increasingly relevant for contemporary climate adaptation strategies. At the same time, the vulnerability of cultural heritage itself to climate change remains widely underestimated. In response to this gap, the Platform Climate & Heritage was founded in 2022 to raise awareness of emerging threats and to stimulate dialogue on possible strategies for preservation, adaptation, and, where necessary, transformation.

Designers play a crucial role in this context, not only in maintaining and transforming existing buildings, but also in translating historical knowledge into new architectural and spatial interventions.

Bio:

Sander van Alphen is a board member and co-founder of the Platform Climate & Heritage in the Netherlands. He currently works remotely as a researcher and policy advisor in the field of cultural heritage. In his presentation, he will also share some of his personal observations from living in Türkiye.