An Overview of Seismic Risk Management for Italian Architectural Heritage

The frequent occurrence of seismic events in Italy poses a strategic problem that involves either the culture of preservation of historical heritage or the civil protection action aimed to reduce the risk to people and goods(buildings,bridges,dams,slopes,etc.).Most of the Italian architectural heritage is vulnerable to earthquakes,identifying the vulnerability as the inherent predisposition of the masonry building to suffer damage and collapse during an earthquake.In fact,the structural concept prevailing in these ancient masonry buildings is aimed at ensuring prevalent resistance to vertical gravity loads.Rarely do these ancient masonry structures offer relevant resistance to actions other than vertical ones and then they are intrinsically vulnerable to stresses induced by the earthquakes.One of the main technical activities carried out by the Civil Protection after an earthquake is to assess the damage in the buildings and to evaluate their own usability.Regarding historical buildings,ad-hoc synthetic forms,drafted in agreement between the Italian Civil Protection Department and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism and based on visual inspection,are adopted by qualified technicians.In this paper,such activities are described and discussed along with the Italian Civil Protection System.However,given the complexity of the main technical activities to be performed after an earthquake there is a need for more accurate methods based on Structural Health Monitoring.

Structural performance of authentic architectural heritage designs:A masonry monument in Western Anatolia

The aim of the study is to present a multi-leveled comparative evaluation approach for structural characteristics of historic masonry monuments so that the consciousness in their authentic designs is comprehended,and the optimum structural performance is clarified.A case study approach is preferred by the examination of the Bedesten(15th‒16th centuries)located in Bergama,_Izmir,Turkey.The structure is documented through tacheometric techniques.The construction techniques of structural elements are mapped.These documented qualities are compared with similar period and/or function structures in order to rank the frequency of construction details.The geometrical factor of safety state is defined theoretically for domes and arches.Finite element macro model of the Bedesten is generated in ANSYS software and overall structural analysis of the structure is made to evaluate the safety level of historic building by the limit states through self-weight analysis.The presented study shows that the rare structural characteristics can both contribute to structural safety and cause vulnerability.Therefore,total consciousness in structural design cannot be stated for the studied Bedesten,but the structural designs that are often preferred in the monuments built at the same period in the proximity to each other have low vulnerability,yielding to conscious preferences.

The development of the concept of architectural heritage conservation and its inspiration

Over recent decades,heritage conservation has developed in concept and scope.This paper uses a systematic literature review approach to collect charters and documents on heritage conservation issued by UNESCO and ICOMOS,divided into two periods,before 2000 and from 2000 to the present,for analysis from a qualitative perspective.The study results show that the scope of architectural heritage is expanding,and the definition of conservation is changing from individual to holistic conservation and from holistic to sustainable conservation.The focus of conservation has evolved from tangible to intangible attributes.The changing scale of conservation,from object to landscape,incorporates a more comprehensive range of heritage values,and the status of conservation has changed from static to living conservation.This study systematically structures the development of the concept of architectural heritage conservation,providing insight in the international field of architectural heritage conservation and encouraging reflection on the conservation of architectural heritage in historic cities.

国际建筑遗产保护研究进展——基于《International Journal of Architectural Heritage》2014—2018年文章的定量分析

为深入了解国际建筑遗产保护研究现状,以该领域唯一一本Web of Science核心数据库收录期刊《International Journal of Architectural Heritage》为研究对象,结合文献计量学方法,针对该刊2014-2018年间刊载的342篇文章的来源地、第一作者所属机构、关键词和文章内容进行统计分析,并从建筑遗产的结构性能、测绘勘察、材料分析等方面,归纳提炼研究主题,与国内研究现状进行横向对比。分析表明,国际建筑遗产科技领域当前研究结构以结构性能为主,以材料表征、测绘勘察、环境科学等为辅的多主题交融互动,研究对象的选择偏倚,研究方法的多元交叉验证倾向等特征,国内研究在定量分析、学科交叉、研究内容深度和广度的拓展方面尚存在发展空间。

Self-adaptability and topological deformation of Ganlan architectural heritage:Conservation and regeneration of Lianghekou Tujia village in Western Hubei,China

The authenticity of architectural heritage is interpreted differently in diverse cultural traditions.Can this inspire the conservation and contemporary regeneration of architectural heritage to adapt to the changing needs of modern life and society,rather than static exhibits in museums?This research focuses on Ganlan(pile-built timber construction)architecture to demonstrate how adaptive conservation and regeneration can keep traditional construction systems living and sustainable.Ganlan,a vernacular architectural archetype in the humid subtropical regions of Asia,has the following common features:free plans with an assembling frame structure,open and interactive envelopes to cope with the hot and damp climate,and stilts to deal with the rugged terrain.This research employed a threefold method of field investigation,topological deformation,and experimental design in examining Lianghekou,a historic Tujia village in Western Hubei,China.The findings reveal that Tujia people build their stilt houses with adaptable features to meet the changing functional requirements and variable topographies.These traditions can be transmitted into the contemporary design,as our experimental design illustrates.The self-adaptability and topological deformation of Ganlan architectural heritage demonstrate a unique perspective of understanding authenticity,and contribute toward innovative application in the conservation and regeneration of vernacular architecture.

Architectural Models and Their Contexts in China’s 20^(th)-Century Architectural Heritage: An Overview

The article explores the morphological evolution of China’s 20^(th)-century architecture chronologically.Chinese Neoclassicism has played a major role in forming the 20^(th)-century heritage buildings surviving today.The phenomenon of Neoclassicism emerged because of the late arrival of China’s modernisation and industrialisation process compared with the West.In turn,in accepting and contesting Western culture,the Chinese elite have con­sciously relied upon architecture as a vehicle to uphold visible symbols of national Chinese identity and traditional Chinese culture.Meanwhile,in the foreign settlements of the treaty ports such as Shanghai,the Western Neoclassical style,along with other imported construction trends,also forms part of China’s 20^(th)-century architectural heritage.Western Neoclassicism’s influence on China’s new architecture became even more evident in the mid-20^(th) century,with the modern architectural heritage in Tiananmen Square as its exemplar.Nevertheless,the impact of Western modernist architecture on China’s architecture was minimal.It was not until the 1980s,as China reopened to the world,that various schools of thought from the post-industrial West flowed into China,which significantly enriched the types and sources of China’s 20^(th)-century architectural heritage.Modern Classicism,late Modernism and Post­modernism all found their way into China’s contemporary architecture.

The Preservation of 20^(th)-Century Architectural Heritage in China:Evolution and Prospects

This article examines the fundamental meaning of 20^(th)-century architectural heritage by reviewing the formation of the concept by the International Council on Monuments and Sites(ICOMOS).It analyses the current state of conservation and potential threats to China’s built heritage,built environment,and cultural landscapes that are less than 50 years old.The article presents a thorough review of the facilitating process of the regulative infra­structure of Chinese modern architecture conservation.It makes a comparative study of several cities’urban herit­age assessment criteria as well as the first and second inventories of China’s 20^(th)-century architectural heritage.The article argues that conserving China’s 20^(th)-century heritage calls for a theoretical framework,which integrates value assessment and advancing the conservation mechanism for built heritage.In doing so,the transition may be facili­tated from focusing on World Heritage towards heritage of the everyday,which embodies collective memories,and from preserving iconic monuments towards comprehensively conserving the built heritage.

Reflections on Architectural Heritage Conservation in Shanghai

Research on the last 30 years of architectural heritage conservation in Shanghai would highlight the establishment of both a preliminary system for heritage classification and gradation,as well as an authorised heritage institution framework.During the course of this process,different conservation methodologies and models(restorations,additions,relocations,extensions and reconstructions)have been put into practice according to the actual situation of the historic architecture of Shanghai.An overall view shows how architectural heritage conservation in Shanghai has undergone three different phases-initial;experimental;and the deepening conservation phase,on which a fundamental step was given in 2002,when the Shanghai Municipal Government issued the‘Legislation for the Conservation of Historical Areas and Heritage Architecture in Shanghai’,creating a conservation system that is participated by the authorities,academic institutions,design institutions and construction companies.The article also stresses the need to provide for a special system of architectural heritage conservation in Shanghai,acknowledging the specificity of its cultural heritage,administrative system,legislation,codes,building technologies and materials;as well as its particular historical situation.

Influence of architectural heritage on the identity and present-day value of American-designed universities’campuses in Asia

In this study,through case studies of campus architectural heritage,the preservation of architectural heritage on campuses is explored.In addition,the effects of architectural heritage preservation on the identity of campuses are investigated,and the corresponding effects on present-day value and spatial experience are analysed.The case studies involve early campuses planned in East Asia by Henry Murphy,and they feature American designs and building styles.In this study,first,the characteristics of the campuses planned by Henry Murphy are analysed.Next,the characteristics of the preserved architectural heritage at Chosen Christian College are analysed.Finally,with a focus on the preservation of architectural heritage at Shanghai College,the value of architectural heritage and the spatial experience associated with campus development are analysed.Chosen Christian College focused on maintaining the authenticity of buildings,and Shanghai College attempted to consolidate the identity of the campus through maximizing the spatial experience of the architectural heritage group and preserving architectural heritage.Thus,Shanghai College was more influenced by Henry Murphy’s master plan in the development and growth of the campus,and tried to carry on the design concept of the architect and the image of the campus.Conversely,Chosen Christian College was able to retain its original design over nearly a century with the use of all-stone buildings,as Henry Murphy proposed,but no significant trace of the early general plan remains.

Research frameworks, methodologies, and assessment methods concerning the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage: a review

With the growing trend towards preserving global architectural heritage, the adaptive reuse of built heritagebuildings is becoming increasingly popular;as commentators have noted, this popularity can in part be attributedto the economic, cultural, and social benefits they provide to urban communities. In considering adaptive reuse,urban developers and planners seek to reach an equilibrium in the battle between time and space. Bothacademically and practically, the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings requires compatible, appropriate, andscientific means for assessing built heritage assets;however, currently, research in this area is still relatively meagre.To address this gap, this paper investigates research frameworks, methodologies, and assessment methods thatconcern the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage. In this paper, we examine the current literature on theparadigms for applying mixed methodologies: the multi-criteria decision model (MCDM) and the preferencemeasurement model (PMM). Specifically, in examining the extant literature, we explore the ways in which thesemethods are discussed, compared, and evaluated, and the positive functions of these methods are also highlighted.In addition, this review examines a range of cases to better clarify the research frameworks, methodologies, andassessment methods used in the study of the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage.

Sacrificial Protection for Architectural Heritage Conservation and Preliminary Approaches to Restore Historic Fair-Faced Brick Façades in China

Sacrificial protection is a kind of active preventive intervention to conserve authentic fabric of architectural heritage,especially surfaces.This paper investigates the term of sacrificial protection and technical options,summarising that sacrificial plasters,shelter coating and plastic repair or re-pointing are three proven sacrificial protection measurements to conserve architectural surfaces.Two case studies show the preliminary approaches with help of sacrificial protection concept to restore historic fair-faced brick façades in China.Sacrificial protection concept did not originate from Chinese conservation practices,but it provides new prospects for sustainable conservation and revitalisation of architectural heritage.The implementation of sacrificial protection is still limited and more scientific studies are needed although most of approaches are traditional.

Recognition of defensive factors in the architectural heritage of Iran’s organic ancient shelters

In ancient Iran, in addition to defensive elements such as castles, fortresses, and fortifications, there were underground cities called dastkand. These cities had a shelter-protection function and provided safe space to protect residents when enemies attacked. In the scope of dastkand architectural studies, form typology, land-use typology, and provision of thermal comfort have been investigated in various studies but there is no study on dastkand defensive architecture, which is the main purpose of the present research. The research method is a mixed method (qualitative-quantitative). The required data are collected through a survey and then, analyzed using factor analysis in R method. The statistical population includes Iranian architectural heritage specialists and the sample size is estimated to be 165 persons. Sampling adequacy is confirmed based on the results of KMO test. The samples are selected using a non-probability sampling method. The obtained results indicate that ten factors have been effective in the architecture of Iran’s ancient organic shelters. In order from largest to smallest coefficient of variance, the factors include collective defense, multi-layered defense, environmental camouflage, path control, self-sufficiency, secret passage, sustainable architecture, residential values, covert surveillance, and cluster development.

A 30-year controversy over the Shanghai East China Electric Power Building:the creation and conservation of late 20th century Chinese architectural heritage

The Shanghai East China Electric Power Building,which was completed in 1988,is widely accepted as one of the first postmodern high-rise buildings in Shanghai.Based on articles published in mass media and professional magazines,interviews with relevant stakeholders and social media debates,this paper focuses on two controversies regarding the building’s peculiar architectural form.The first occurred between 1988 and 1992,when the building’s postmodern appearance aroused heated debates among architectural professionals.The second happened between 2015 and 2018,when the building’s postmodern appearance was planned to be replaced with a slated Art Deco surface during its renovation into a boutique hotel.This paper reveals how a thirst for‘form innovation’emerged in the specific social and professional environment shortly after China’s opening-up,and how professional and public awareness of the value of late 20th century architectural heritage was stimulated in the early 21st century in the search for an alternative representation of urban identity other than the widely accepted Art Deco style.This paper emphasises the public meaning of architectural forms in arguing for institutional co-operation in systematic evaluation and conservation legislation for late twentieth century Chinese architectural heritage sites to maintain the historical diversity of the cityscape during urban regeneration.

A 30-year controversy over the Shanghai East China Electric Power Building:the creation and conservation of late 20th century Chinese architectural heritage

The Shanghai East China Electric Power Building,which was completed in 1988,is widely accepted as one of the first postmodern high-rise buildings in Shanghai.Based on articles published in mass media and professional magazines,interviews with relevant stakeholders and social media debates,this paper focuses on two controversies regarding the building’s peculiar architectural form.The first occurred between 1988 and 1992,when the building’s postmodern appearance aroused heated debates among architectural professionals.The second happened between 2015 and 2018,when the building’s postmodern appearance was planned to be replaced with a slated Art Deco surface during its renovation into a boutique hotel.This paper reveals how a thirst for‘form innovation’emerged in the specific social and professional environment shortly after China’s opening-up,and how professional and public awareness of the value of late 20th century architectural heritage was stimulated in the early 21st century in the search for an alternative representation of urban identity other than the widely accepted Art Deco style.This paper emphasises the public meaning of architectural forms in arguing for institutional co-operation in systematic evaluation and conservation legislation for late twentieth century Chinese architectural heritage sites to maintain the historical diversity of the cityscape during urban regeneration.

Research on Protection and Utilization of Architectural Cultural Heritage in Canal Towns:A Case Study of Daokou Ancient Town

Architectural heritage is an important part of China’s brilliant national culture.As the carrier of material and spiritual civilization in a specific region and historical period,architectural heritage has witnessed people’s daily life,cultural customs and spiritual civilization activities.Taking Daokou Ancient Town on the riverside of the Grand Canal as an example,this paper analyzes the location,development trend,external traffic,architecture and cultural heritage value of the ancient town,and finds that there are problems such as economic depression,prominent constructive destruction,improper restoration of historical blocks and lack of public space through field investigation and visits.Some protection and utilization strategies and suggestions for stimulating economic development,overall planning,overhauling historical blocks and reshaping public space are put forward,in order to provide reference significance and help for the protection of architectural cultural heritage of Daokou Ancient Town.

Constructing New Meanings of Chinese Architectural Heritage in the World Heritage Sites of Malacca Straits

This paper aims to construct new meanings of Chinese architectural heritage in the World Heritage sites of Malacca and Penang in the Malacca Straits.Inscribed in 2008,both sites have a history of more than 600 years of migrating trades and cultural exchanges with China.The influence of Chinese culture has given them diverse urban and architectural assets as tangible heritage,and different life styles of different groups of people as intangible heritage.Starting with a survey of the varied Chinese architectural heritage in the two World Heritage sites of the Malacca Straits,this study presents Chinese temples,huiguans,and shop-houses in the surviving historic city centres where various cultures and religions met and coexisted.These sites bear testimony to a living multi-cultural heritage and the tradition of Malay Archipelago,historic China and India,and modern Europe up to nowadays.Setting the two Wold Heritage sites in the full context of China,India and Southeast Asia which were part of the Maritime Silk Roads in ancient times,the study establishes a broader view to understand heritage as a cultural entity,explores the Chinese contribution to heritage,and calls for awareness towards heritage renovation and adaptive reuse throughout history.Furthermore,through an investigation of the architectural and cultural heritage in Southeast Asia from the 15^(th)to the 19^(th)century,the study intends to achieve a better understanding of the vernacular architecture and craftsmanship in southern China and the vernacular Chinese culture and art in Southeast Asia.It means to explore how Chinese cultural heritage was transplanted to the non-Chinese contexts in the Malacca Straits。

Theories and Methods of Landscape Architecture Heritage Protection

This paper firstly made an overview of foreign and domestic theories and methods of landscape architecture heritage protection.It studied the landscape architecture heritage from policies and regulations,investment management,talent cultivation,and popular science education.Then,it discussed problems of landscape architecture heritage protection in China:lack of legislation,weak awareness of heritage resources,overdevelopment of heritage resources,and vacancy in management and monitoring of heritage resources.Finally,it came up with recommendations that competent authorities of Chinese government should attach greater importance to heritage management,talent cultivation,and fund input,integrate with advanced management methods of developed countries,and exploring a landscape architecture heritage protection and management mode suitable for national conditions of China at levels of thought,methods,and technology.

The transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of Al-Najaf's Old City and possible preservation insights

This paper focuses on the dramatic transformation of the inherited historical urban and architectural characteristics of the city of Al-Najafin Iraq,seeking new ways of seeing the possibilities of preserving and revitalizing the historical center of the city.In addition to being one of the most sacred centers for Shia Muslims,Al-Najaf has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.Its architectural characteristics and urban structure not only reflect the history of the city but also stand as evidence of the most important junctures in Islamic history:the martyrdom of Imam AU ibn Abi Talib,who is a central Islamic spiritual personality and the second most important figure after the Prophet Muhammad.Since its estab-Ushment in 750 AD,the formation of Al-Najaf has never separated from its sociopolitical context and Islamic principles,particularly Shia Muslims'beliefs.Today,the city is a destination for more than million Shia Muslim pilgrims each year,and the number is rapidly increasing.However,as the city continues to develop,its architecture and unique urban structure transform dramatically.The cultural and architectural heritage of the city is seriously threatened.Several factors played a crucial role in the formation and the transformation of the city's specific architectural and urban structures.The most influential factors were mainly related to religion,environment,and politics.This paper introduces the main forces behind the transformation of the deep organizational structures of the architecture and urban fabric in Al-Najaf.The question of whether it is still possible to protect and preserve the remaining parts and revitalize the Old City center is also examined.The goal is to identify the major preservation issues and provide possible insights based on successful preservation experiences that address similar issues indifferent contexts.

Heritage risk index:A multi-criteria decision-making tool to prioritize municipal historic preservation projects

The current pressure on the built historical heritage requires a global evaluation to develop strategies for its preservation.A combined vision of the state of conservation of architectural heritage is essential to highlight the vulnerabilities of the structure from which harmonized measures can be proposed for its mitigation.This study proposes a multi-criteria analysis methodology that considers a qualitative and quantitative approach to organize the global conservation state of heritage buildings hierarchically.A global index can be determined on the basis of the generation of an interoperable data matrix by defining a set of indicators to assess different components of a building.This index describes the risk with respect to the stability,safety,and habitability of the building.This methodology aims to achieve the state of the building in an integral way by obtaining a simple and objective index that enables efficient comparison among different buildings.The application of this methodology to a historic area allows creating a hierarchical map of risk to stablish priorities for intervention and enable a sustainable and critical management and planning over the actions of maintenance,conservation,and restoration.In this way,a holistic vision of the complex reality of built heritage and the urban landscape is obtained to identify critical areas of priority intervention.

The Tower of Nisida as centre of 17^(th)century fortified naples system

The paper investigates the territorial layout of the fortified system of Naples that developed during the Spanish Vice Kingdom in the 16th-17th centuries.Both existing castles and towers,and constructions built for the purpose,were included in the system.The Tower of Nisida is one of the existing ancient towers that became part of the impressive 17th century defense system of Naples.The study focus is on the strategic importance acquired by Nisida and its Tower in those years,when it became a key location in the fortified system,both evidencing its cruciality through the study of the field of vision that widens from the location and dealing the issue with the point of view landscape and territorial defense,recalling the concept that the defense architecture is part of architectural heritage.