The adaptive reuse of urban structures is gaining significant attention due to its multiple benefits for sustainable urban development. Current research on repurposing initiatives provides valuable insights that can guide these practices from a research-based perspective. This paper aims to systematically review the existing literature on the adaptive reuse of buildings to develop a framework that outlines studies and findings on how repurposing practices contribute to specific sustainable development goals and their targets. The systematic literature review focuses on research published from 2018 to the end of 2024, serving as the foundation for this framework. The findings indicate that repurposing projects can make direct contributions to nine sustainable development goals. The strongest impacts were identified in relation to goals 4, 11, and 17. For goal 4, repurposing projects serve as valuable case studies, demonstrating how existing architecture can function as an asset that benefits urban sustainability. Concerning goal 11, the literature emphasises the importance of inclusivity in decision making throughout various stages of adaptive reuse and highlights the protection of unique architectural features as a strategy to enhance social capital and provide cultural and economic improvements. Adaptive reuse supports goal 17 by fostering public–private partnerships and encouraging transparent policy communication, which aids the development of new policies focused on sustainability. The results can assist urban planners, architects, and developers in making research-based decisions regarding underutilised buildings in urban contexts.

The proper maintenance of historical monuments and their use is one of the pillars of sustainable development. Over the years, historic architectural buildings have undergone numerous changes resulting from reconstruction, expansion, or damage caused both by natural and other disasters. Therefore, their contemporary appearance is the result of these changes. Thanks to the documentation of their transformations, one has the opportunity to get to know their history. Currently, thanks to advanced technology, it is becoming easier and easier to document various historical monuments. However, the method of their documentation, especially the possibility of their reconstruction and the creation of 3D models depends mostly on the data resources at one’s disposal. This article compares two extreme methods of recreating an architectural object that has undergone some changes throughout history. One of the methods is to reconstruct the object on the basis of a photograph using geometrical rules and computer aid, while the other is based on laser scanning. Due to the fact that the same object is being reconstructed by means of both methods, it is possible to evaluate and compare the applied methods and estimate their accuracy, as well as to draw conclusions about the transformations of the reconstructed object over the years.

The aim of the paper is to present some experiences of using modern technologies to historical buildings digitalization. The emphasis is placed on the possibilities of spatial data collecting, as well as on subsequent 3D modelling. The paper describes the proposed survey techniques which are based on the Terrestrial Laser Scanning and photogrammetry. The authors obtained the point cloud by using the laser scanner Faro Focus 3D and dedicated software to combine scans (target based and cloud to cloud methods). The paper also provides an introduction to issues related to a method of building structure modelling based on a pointcloud. The authors proposed some computer software tools that could improve work with a point cloud and the modelling process. The resulting 3D model could be both a source of information about historical building and a sufficient base to create computational model with spatial finite elements. The subject of the case study is the St. Hubert Chapel located in Rzeszów (Poland) and built in the middle of the 18th century under the patronage of the Lubomirski family. This rococo chapel is one of the most valuable architectural monuments in the region. Historical Building Information Model (HBIM) could be helpful in analysis, visualisations and conservation practice of this precious monument. Diagnosing the current object state and assessing its technical condition could be the purpose of creating a computational FEM model.

The article concerns the illusory presentation of non-existent architectural objects directly in the place of their original location. This specific conservation method is considered as a tool for disseminating knowledge about the original architectural landscape of places where it has undergone transformations. The authors believe that its implementation may contribute to the growth of the identity of cities and their inhabitants. The concept refers to augmented reality, but the authors use only optical means to create a virtual component, The article presents the results of theoretical analysis and practical experiments, pointing to the advantages and disadvantages of the method.