Innovative Approaches, Techniques and Technologies Related to Retrofitting Architectural Heritage for Sustainable and Resilient Cities

Dear Colleagues,

As is well known, cultural heritage is a component of the sustainable and resilient development of cities and communities, and its preservation and adaptive reuse are pivotal to face the effects of rapid urbanization and to overcome environmental and anthropic challenges. In fact, the recovery and reuse of this architecture intersect with both the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the European Sustainable Development Goals, including cultural identity, sustainable urban development, community engagement, economic development, environmental sustainability and disaster risk reduction, contributing to a holistic and sustainable approach to development and resilience in European contexts.

On the other hand, the recovery, reuse and preservation of architectural heritage are still challenges. The exceptionality in extending good practices in guidelines has to face the singularities of each case study, combined with administrative constraints, while overcoming common setbacks in the recovery and refurbishment process.

The ongoing technological and IoT system development in the scientific field has demonstrated how the traditional process for architectural heritage can meet innovative tools and methods, techniques and technologies to support technicians and policymakers in the analysis, assessment and transformation of this built heritage towards sustainable and resilient cities.

In this context, this Special Issue aims to promote scientific exchange about frameworks, tools and methods for the promotion of innovative approaches, techniques and technologies for the reuse and energy and statical retrofitting of architectural cultural heritage, including (but not limited to):

• Reuse/recycling or application of new materials;
• Digital and virtual models and platforms for the assessment and management of the recovery and reuse design;
• Relational database for the management of technical data in the design process towards technical decision support systems;
• Methodologies aimed at surveying and monitoring architectural heritage exposed to natural and anthropic risks;
• Holistic approaches to enhance awareness and preparedness of users;
• Representative or best experiences (case studies).

Dr. Elena Cantatore
Guest Editor

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• architectural cultural heritage
• risk assessment
• reuse
• retrofitting
• sustainable recovery
• digital model
• recycling
• surveys