International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability

Identifying and prioritizing energy efficiency improvement measures in historical monuments based on the impact on heritage values (Case study: Asef Vaziri Mansion, Sanandaj)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors
Department of Architecture, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Optimizing energy consumption in historic buildings is a complex task due to their unique physical characteristics and the necessity of preserving heritage values. In Iran, insufficient specialized knowledge and weak regulatory frameworks have sometimes resulted in interventions that harm the building fabric or heritage significance. This study aims to identify energy-efficiency measures applicable to historic buildings and to prioritize them based on their impact on the heritage values of the Asef Vaziri Mansion. Initially, through theoretical research and a qualitative–descriptive analytical approach, a three-level framework—consisting of main strategies, systems, and 30 commonly applied measures in Iran—was developed. Using the EFFESUS assessment framework and the Delphi technique to gather the opinions of 15 experts, the impacts of these measures on the mansion’s heritage values were evaluated according to three criteria: physical, visual, and spatial. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 27). The results indicate that user-behavior-related measures, due to having no negative impact (0.0% of the maximum possible negative impact), received the highest priority. Optimization of the domestic hot-water system (30.8%) ranked second. Conversely, the installation of shading devices, with a 74.1% impact, exhibited the greatest negative effect and therefore attained the lowest priority. Overall, the findings show that less visually intrusive measures cause less harm to heritage; however, the specific characteristics of each historic building may lead to different prioritization outcomes. Consequently, energy-oriented interventions must be selected and prioritized according to the building’s heritage values and the extent of their impact

Graphical Abstract

Identifying and prioritizing energy efficiency improvement measures in historical monuments based on the impact on heritage values (Case study: Asef Vaziri Mansion, Sanandaj)

Highlights

·         A three-level framework of 30 energy-efficiency measures for Iranian historic buildings was developed through qualitative analysis.

·         Heritage impacts were evaluated using the EFFESUS framework and expert consensus via the Delphi method.

·         User-behavior measures showed no negative impact on physical, visual, or spatial heritage values and received top priority.

Highly visible interventions, especially shading devices, caused the greatest negative heritage impact and ranked lowest

Keywords

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Volume 6, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Summer 2025
Pages 218-236

  • Receive Date 02 September 2025
  • Revise Date 04 November 2025
  • Accept Date 07 December 2025