Biography
James is an architecturally trained building conservator specialising in sustainability and recording of the historic built environment. He is currently a senior academic in sustainability at the University College of Estate Management. Previously a senior lecturer in the sustainability of the existing built environment at Kingston University, teaching on the Building Surveying, architecture and historic building conservation courses. Currently, James is the vice-president of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Energy and Sustainability (ICOMOS ISCES). He is also on the ICOMOS UK National Scientific Committee on Digital Heritage and ICOMOS UN Sustainable Development Goals Working Group. James was made a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 2010 for work on the sustainability of the built environment. Published widely on sustainability, health, and conservation issues. James is also an expert reviewer for Routledge and the Journal of Architectural Conservation.
Appointments
Expert Member – ICOMOS
Vice-President ICOMOS ISCES
Qualifications and membershipsTeachingResearch interestsIndustry
Qualifications
Memberships
- Sustainability
- Climate Change
- Existing built environment
Main research interests are sustainability of the existing built environment particularly existing cities and historic buildings and the recording of existing buildings.
In practice, James worked for several years at MBP Architects and Carden and Godfrey Architects, on a variety of projects, including the Palace of Westminster, Beverly Minster and many smaller commercial and residential schemes.
Publications
Chapters in Books
- Ritson, J., Koch, F H. & Cox, P. (2021) Case Study – 19th century Tenements in Use by a Housing Association at Lauriston Place in Edinburgh. In: Labadi, S., Giliberto, F., Rosetti, I., Shetabi, L., Yildirim, E. (2021). Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals: Policy Guidance for Heritage and Development Actors. Paris: ICOMOS.
- Ritson, J. (2013) Sustainable Management of historic urban centres. Found in Developing sustainability (Istanbul Bilgi University Press: Dorich House group Publication)
- Sayce, S., Farren Bradley, J., Ritson, J. and Quinn, F. (2013) Well-being: what does it mean for the sustainable university? In: Sterling, Stephen , Maxey, Larch and Luna, Heather, (eds.) The sustainable university: progress and prospects. Abingdon, U.K.: Routledge. pp. 211-231. (Routledge Studies in Sustainable Development, no. 2)
Refereed Conference Papers
- Ritson, J. & Larsen, G. (2023) Energy performance certificates and historic buildings: a clash between method and context. International Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) Conference. Aug 29th-31st. 2023.
- ICOMOS (2023) Providing Guidance on Evidence for Heritage and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – Report of Phase 1. Paris: ICOMOS – 13 May 2023 available at https://www.icomos.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Secretariat/2023/SDG_SDGWGandGHFjointReport/ICOMOS_GHF_Project_Report_Phase_1.pdf
- Ritson, J. (2022) The Carbon Value of the U.K.’s Historic Housing Stock, The 4th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings 2022, 4- 5 May 2022. Benediktbeuern: Germany.
Selected to be on the Conference’s (Conference on Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings 2022), scientific committee.
- Lindsey, K. & Ritson, J. (2021) The art of placemaking for online learning. ALT Annual Conference 2021.
- Ritson, J. (2021) Conservation as a sustainable philosophy, ICOMOS-UK Conference – Cultural Heritage, Communities, Climate Crisis. ICOMOS UK Conference 14th October 2021 (Conference Keynote)
- Ritson, J. (2021) UCEM, Communities of Practice Sustainability, 16 June 2021 (1 Hour CPD) CPD Delivered
- Ritson, J. (2019) Building conservation as a method of meeting sustainability targets in the historic built environment, Energy Futures Lab, Energy seminars. Imperial College: London. 9 May 2019.
- Ritson, J. (2018) Benign changes and building maintenance as a sustainable strategy for refurbishment of historic (Pre-1919) English dwellings. In: Broström, T., Nilsen, L. & Carlsten, S. Conference Report Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings, Visby, Sweden. Uppsala University: Gotland, pp 172-181 http://eehb2018.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Conference-Report-The-3rd-International-Conference-on-Energy-Efficiency-in-Historic-Buildings.pdf
- Ritson. J. (2017) A comparative analysis of modelling techniques for the reduction of energy and carbon emissions in a London Victorian dwelling, Digital Cultural Heritage: FUTURE VISIONS 2017 London symposium at UCL London, 13-15th November 2017
- Poster at Reconfigurations: Crafting Design research. The Platform Gallery, Knights Park Campus, Kingston University. 6th-24th November 2012
- Greenlines institute Heritage 2012, 3rd International Conference on Heritage and Sustainable Development 2012Chair of Heritage and Environment Parallel session
Selected Presenter at the conference and full publication of article submission (below)
Ritson, J. (2012) Building maintenance and benign improvement strategies as a more sustainable refurbishment strategy for the English historic housing stock. (Green lines institute, Heritage 2012) - Greenlines institute Heritage 2010, conference 2010Chair of Heritage and Environment Parallel session
Selected Presenter at the conference and full publication of article submission (below)
J. Ritson. (2010) The Health and Environmental Benefits of Using Traditional Historic Internal Finishes. (Greenlines institute Heritage 2010) - Ritson,J. & Pretlove, S.(2010) The need for multi-level thinking in meeting the 2050 target reduction in CO2 emissions in domestic dwellings (Energy in the City – Securing the Future Conference C92 – London South Bank University, 2010)
Presentations and symposiums
Presentations
- Ritson, J. (2022) The integration of photovoltaics: An European perspective. Uptake of Sustainable Energy in Egypt. British Council Funded workshop: British University: Egypt 5-7 September 2022.
- Ritson, J. (2022) Sustainable efficiency in the historic (pre1919) housing stock. UCEM Staff Sustainability Symposium. Hilton hotel: Reading. 21 September 2022
- Ritson, J. (2022) Maintenance as sustainability strategy for historic (pre-1919) housing stock. ICOMOS European Quality Principles: Ensuring #QualityforHeritage through sustainable solutions; Part of EU European Week of Regions & Cities. Online: 14th Oct 2022. Available https://www.icomos.org/en/89-english-categories/home/111718-icomos-side-events-at-eu-regions-week-a-summary
- Ritson, J.(2022) Benign Sustainable interventions in Historic Dwellings. Irish Georgian Society energy efficiency in historic buildings seminar. Irish Georgian Society: Dublin. Nov 24th 2022 https://www.igs.ie/events/energy-efficiency-in-historic-buildings-seminar
- Ritson, J.(2023) The Carbon Value of the U.K.’s Historic Housing Stock. ICOMOS United Nations Sustainable Development Goals working group (UNSDG WG): Singapore, April 22nd 2023.
- Ritson, J.(2024) Sustainability Workshop: Our Changing world. Civil Service Senior Leaders Networking Event: Cabinet offices: London. 13th June 2024
Symposiums
- ICOMOS ISCES (2022) Symposium –Sustainable Methods of Managing Rising Temperatures in Historic Buildings. Online. 29 September 2022 found at https://ucem.zoom.us/rec/share/PZCOnjKorMwKQRN1NQ1Xxg-EjX1b9gRdL21DJARAjPd5KHqpTmewJfFFQwqvoDMg.6NVgraMFfCzS0Cpp
- Ritson, J.(2024) The Importance of Dynamic Evolving Architecture- The Importance of Retrofit and Repair in Securing Architecture’s Sustainability Goals. Royal Danish Academy School of Architecture’s ‘Broken World Building’ Symposium. Copenhagen: Demark 30-31 May 2024
