Managing microclimate challenges for museum buildings in Egypt

Global challenges of climate change, environmental control, and energy conservation are persisting. In museum buildings, facing these challenges is prominent to achieve the sustainability of our cultural heritage. Controlling the microclimate of the indoor environment in exhibitions where artefacts are conserved, stored and exhibited is a critical challenge that faces museums not only in Egypt but worldwide as well. The aim of this paper is to analyze the main operational practices for rational environmental control that consider preservation and conservation requirements. In order to achieve the objective of this paper, a literature review of recent papers discussing this problem has been performed and analyzed. Then, a survey was conducted to analyze the operation practices in museums in Egypt. At last, environmental assessment criteria were suggested to manage the museum indoor environment to conserve energy and preserve artefacts. The findings of this paper could guide those involved in decision making and setting legislations in Egyptian museums.