The challenges of adaptive building reuse towards decarbonization of the built environment were discussed at Prodexpo North at Thessaloniki on February 27th, 2024. Charalampos Giannikopoulos, MD DCarbon, Thanasis Karagiannis, CIO Prodea Investments, Architect Rena Sakellaridou SPARCH and Agis M. Papadopoulos, Professor Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Chairman BoD THESSALONIKI WATER SUPPLY & SEWERAGE CO. S.A. – EYATH S.A. participated in the discussion which was moderated by Lazaros Theodorakidis, Editor VORIA.GR.

As Charalampos Giannikopoulos emphasized, investors should focus on reusing and repurposing to extend the life of their properties through necessary retrofits instead of choosing demolition and new construction. Adaptive reuse can return triple bottom-line benefits. Financially, compared to new construction, it can be significantly more attractive, whereas performing smart and sustainable retrofits while repurposing can enhance property performance and valuation as well. Socially, it can boost the neighborhood and preserve the cultural heritage. Environmentally, tons of embodied carbon can be avoided by choosing reuse over demolition.