Strategies for seismic risk protection. A multi-disciplinary methodological approach for historical city patterns

The paper explores the relationship between the cultural need for preservation of historical settlements in their morphological and material identity and the call to achieve adequate security levels in relation to seismic risk in these communities. The continuous seismic activity on Italian territory clearly indicates that prevention is a necessary approach: risk evaluation for the purpose of safeguarding settlements must be based on a multi-disciplinary knowledge project aimed at improving the architectural heritage, in accordance with the criteria of minimum intervention and compatibility. This paper, referring to the most recent Italian regulatory protocols and recommendations, analyses the case-study of Garzigliana (Turin, Italy), a historical settlement in the borough of Pinerolo, the area with the highest seismic risk in Piedmont. The research develops a framework of knowledge and critical interpretation of historical city patterns in relation to the prevention of seismic risk, through the reconstruction of an “earthquake memory” of the territory, local “historical monitoring”, analysis of stratification, identification of strategic elements, networks and risks, survey of the materials used and the conservation status of aggregates and built units, with specific reference to the reactions of historical masonry buildings. The research also develops a method for surveying historical urban patterns in view of seismic risk, based on UNI standard 7310/74, with the purpose of determining a single, conventional and shared graphic language, on different scales, according to morphological, structural and functional parameters. The aim of the research is to contribute to the construction of intervention priority scenarios capable of supporting strategic and programmatic schedules for pro-active protection. Paper presented at "International Conference Preventive and Planned Conservation", Monza and Mantova 5-9 May 2014. Proceedings of the International Conference Preventive and Planned Conservation: 5 volumes: 1 - La strategia della Conservazione programmata. Dalla progettazione delle attività alla valutazione degli impatti; 2 - Sguardi ed esperienze sulla conservazione del patrimonio storico architettonico; 3 - Protezione dal rischio sismico; 4 - Metodi e strumenti per la prevenzione e manutenzione; 5 - ICT per il miglioramento del processo conservativo. Paper in volume number 3.