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Reducing Seismic Vulnerability of Historic Areas: Moving from Good Practices to Tailored Roadmaps

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Marzani

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Benedetta Cavalieri

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Angela Santangelo

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Petra Triller

    (Department of Structures, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Maja Kreslin

    (Department of Structures, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Charalampos Fassoulas

    (Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Simona Tondelli

    (Department of Architecture, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Enhancing territorial resilience while reducing risks is of paramount importance for communities, especially for those in historic areas where vulnerability is a significant component of risk, and where cultural heritage serves as a catalyst for collective identity. However, policies and planning tools designed to protect historic areas from natural and anthropic risks remain fragmented. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence-based guidance to help policymakers build tailored roadmaps for reducing the seismic vulnerability of historic areas. This research focuses on the Adriatic–Ionian region, with six countries identified as case studies. The methodology is structured in three phases. First, good practices for addressing seismic vulnerability are identified and codified to improve existing knowledge. Second, a replicability and scalability assessment of the good practices is performed for each case study. Finally, roadmaps are developed as ready-to-use tools to support the implementation of measures to reduce seismic vulnerability. Although the results reveal considerable variability in the readiness levels of the six case studies to act for reducing seismic vulnerability, the overall methodology effectively supports policymakers in moving from good practice selection to tailored roadmaps for enhancing resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Marzani & Benedetta Cavalieri & Angela Santangelo & Petra Triller & Maja Kreslin & Charalampos Fassoulas & Simona Tondelli, 2025. "Reducing Seismic Vulnerability of Historic Areas: Moving from Good Practices to Tailored Roadmaps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-40, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:5062-:d:1669242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arta Dollani & Antonella Lerario & Nicola Maiellaro, 2016. "Sustaining Cultural and Natural Heritage in Albania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Angela Rosa & Angela Santangelo & Simona Tondelli, 2021. "Investigating the Integration of Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management into Urban Planning Tools. The Ravenna Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
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    4. Louis J. Durrant & Atish N. Vadher & Mirza Sarač & Duygu Başoğlu & Jacques Teller, 2022. "Using Organigraphs to Map Disaster Risk Management Governance in the Field of Cultural Heritage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Benedetta Baldassarre & Elisa Conticelli & Angela Santangelo, 2024. "Planning for More Resilient and Safer Cities: A New Methodology for Seismic Risk Assessment at the Urban Scale, Applied to a Case Study in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Angela Santangelo & Eleonora Melandri & Giulia Marzani & Simona Tondelli & Andrea Ugolini, 2022. "Enhancing Resilience of Cultural Heritage in Historical Areas: A Collection of Good Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-29, April.
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