The Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) recently hosted a session of the Kazim Bacchus Research Seminar (KBRS) featuring Dr. Jeff Tan, who presented his research titled Harnessing Heritage: Traditional Materials and Techniques to Reduce CO₂ Emissions and Improve Thermal Mass in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Malaysia). The session was hosted by Mr. Amjad Ali, Assistant Manager of Research and Outreach, followed by a formal welcome and introduction of the speaker by Dr. Sajid Ali, Professor at IED.
Dr. Tan situated his study within the priorities of the British Academy, the project's principal funder, highlighting its focus on cultural heritage, climate action, and policy-relevant research that supports sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and co-created knowledge in informing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly within heritage environments.
In his presentation, Dr. Tan examined the comparative performance of traditional and modern building materials with respect to carbon emissions, thermal efficiency, durability, and cost. Drawing from empirical evidence, he outlined how climate change has intensified environmental and economic pressures including the rising cost of flood damage and the growing impact of extreme heat on urban infrastructure.
Dr. Tan noted that traditional building materials, such as clay bricks and lime mortar, exhibit lower embodied carbon and superior thermal regulation compared to contemporary construction alternatives. Their natural breathability, moisture management, and reduced heat retention contribute to healthier indoor environments and greater energy efficiency, particularly in tropical climates.
The session also highlighted satellite imagery and temperature analyses showing increases of up to 6.6°C in Land Surface Temperature (LST) in heritage urban areas undergoing densification and shifts toward modern materials. Dr. Tan attributed these trends to declining vegetation cover, expanded use of concrete, and the replacement of traditional architectural systems.
He underscored that heritage architectural elements such as shaded walkways, ventilated timber frameworks, and high-albedo lime plasters provide effective passive cooling strategies. These approaches, he noted, can significantly reduce reliance on mechanical cooling systems and support climate-responsive urban planning.
Dr. Tan discussed life-cycle assessments demonstrating that traditional materials offer distinct long-term sustainability advantages. While acknowledging challenges such as limited skilled labour, regulatory constraints, and market preferences for modern materials, he emphasized the need to strengthen the use of heritage-compatible systems in contemporary conservation and development efforts.
In concluding his presentation, Dr. Tan outlined recommendations for policymakers and conservation practitioners. These included integrating climate mitigation measures into heritage guidelines, offering incentives for low-carbon materials, investing in capacity building for craftspeople, and increasing public awareness of the benefits of traditional building practices.
The session highlighted the potential of heritage-informed approaches to contribute meaningfully to climate-resilient urban development. Dr. Tan's research reinforced the importance of drawing from long-standing architectural wisdom to address modern environmental challenges.
Rapporteur - Salah Uddin, MPhil Student Batch 2026
