Religious heritage stands at a crossroads in contemporary society, struggling with shifting social dynamics and evolving urban landscapes. The masterclass on Religious Heritage (7th-8th March 2024) explored these challenges and opportunities in transforming religious buildings during secular shifts within our societies. Experts discussed the dominant role of religious heritage in urban contexts and its modern relevance in towering above the main cityfabric.

Central themes included changes in religious buildings' societal role as our identities become more liquid with an importance of vulnerability. Churches are urged to create spaces for human connection beyond rituals, aligning with core faith principles and take up their function of care for humanity once more. Discussion becomes central instead of authority.

The role of religious buildings in shaping urban social environments nowadays should put the focus on community engagement and inclusive spaces over dominating a neighbourhood and working with exclusion. Projects like the multireligious house in Bern showcase religious heritage's continued relevance. The speakers emphasized adaptive strategies to ensure religious heritage's vitality and relevance in diverse urban landscapes. By embracing secularization and fostering inclusivity, religious institutions can contribute to community well-being and social cohesion, preserving invaluable cultural assets for the future whilst fulfilling their spatial anchorrole.

~ The masterclass was organized by the Future of Religious Heritage initiative and the University of Bologna with sponsorship from the European Union.

Secular Revival Beyond Belief: Redefining Religious Architecture for the communities of the 21th century PART III