A multi-level strategy for the sustainable recovery of historic centres

Abstract

The design process for the revitalization of historical city centers nowdays has to follow sustainable criteria and comfort objectives in order to rise the liveability and the opportunity of use of the built heritage. The study we propose illustrates a methodology for achiving the energy efficiency from a multilevel perspective, identifying three different dimensions -the territory, the urban context and the building-. For each dimension we move from a cognitive framework to a phase of plannnig, providing a series of operative indications. Case study of the present research is Arquata del Tronto, affected by the seismic activity starting in 2016. For research purposes we assume for Arquata a recovery of the original volumetric features. The territorial survey aims to evaluate the climatic and environmental conditions of the several districts of Arquata, scattered on both flat and mountainous areas. This leds to simplify the complexity of the territory and, by identifying similar conditions, to classify all the districts in five climatic zones. Deepening the research for each climatic zone, we outline areas with critical conditions of discomfort by analysing the facades shading and by performing a fluid-dynamic analysis of the urban fabric; we also provide the corresponding mitigation strategies at the urban level. The following step aims to improve the energy efficiency of the historical centers by working on the single buildings, in accordance to the guidelines provided by the Italian Ministry of Culture. As further deepening, the current study presents an estimation of the energy needs of the urban fabric and a corresponding hypothesis of supply from renewable sources.

In conclusion, the project provides a multi-scale guideline text usable for supporting the reconstruction process and, in general, the recovery of the built heritage, orienting the design activities towards the sustainability requirements.