Austria

Prof. Dr. Christian Hanus is a leading expert in sustainable cultural heritage, architectural conservation and the reconstruction of historic environments. As Scientific Director of the Research Lab Sustainable Cultural Heritage at the University for Continuing Education (Danube University Krems), he brings together research, education and innovation to address the complex challenges facing historic buildings and cultural landscapes.

Since his appointment as Professor of Building and Environment in 2013, with a focus on architecture and engineering, Christian has developed pioneering approaches to the preservation, adaptation and sustainable use of cultural heritage. His research explores the reconstruction of historic cities affected by natural disasters, including the development of implementation concepts for earthquake-damaged settlements and his coordination of the Scuola di Ricostruzione in Accumoli. He also specialises in the building physics, energy efficiency and long-term ecological and economic assessment of historic buildings through life cycle analysis (LCA).

Christian is the founder of the Centre for Architectural Heritage (2010), the Centre for Cultural Property Protection (2015) and the Sustainable Cultural Heritage Research Lab at Danube University Krems (2023). Through these institutions, he has established international research and teaching programmes that connect heritage conservation with resilience, sustainability and interdisciplinary innovation.

An author of specialist publications and a member of numerous scientific committees in Austria and internationally, Christian contributes actively to academic exchange and professional education across Europe.