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

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 3861

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elena Cantatore

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Environmental, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy
Interests: resilience of built environment to climate change; sustainable strategies and solutions for energy retrofitting; retrofitting of architectural cultural heritage; urban heat islands in the built environment; VR tools applied to architectural heritage; CityGML for architectural heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

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

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

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

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 10940 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Urban Heat Island Mitigation Policies in Heritage Settings: An Integrated Analysis of Matera
by Juana Perlaza, Vito D. Porcari and Carmen Fattore
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104374 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 493
Abstract
This study investigates the environmental parameters that contribute to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in historic environments, with a particular focus on the UNESCO World Heritage City of Matera. The complex urban morphology of Matera, with its narrow streets and underground buildings, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the environmental parameters that contribute to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in historic environments, with a particular focus on the UNESCO World Heritage City of Matera. The complex urban morphology of Matera, with its narrow streets and underground buildings, generates distinctive microclimates that intensify the UHI phenomenon, posing challenges for urban planning and heritage conservation. The main objective of the research is to identify which environmental parameters interact with Matera’s architectural and urban characteristics to intensify the UHI, and to propose mitigation strategies that balance heritage conservation with environmental sustainability. The research follows a mixed methodological approach in two phases. The first phase consisted of a comprehensive literature review, identifying gaps in previous studies and developing a methodological framework combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. The second phase involved empirical analysis using advanced techniques such as 3D laser scanning to model urban morphology, satellite image analysis to map the spatial distribution of the UHI, and the integration of historical and real-time meteorological data. The results show significant correlations between urban morphology and UHI intensity, suggesting strategic interventions such as green roofs and reflective materials to mitigate the effects. These findings provide valuable information for urban planners and policy makers, and highlight the importance of integrating sustainable approaches into heritage conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches, Techniques and Technologies Related to Retrofitting Architectural Heritage for Sustainable and Resilient Cities)
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24 pages, 2384 KiB  
Article
Emergency Architecture: Application of the Active House Protocol for the Indoor Comfort Prediction in Post-Disaster Shelters
by Marco Bellomo, Simona Colajanni and Manfredi Saeli
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052290 - 6 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1256
Abstract
The design of post-emergency shelters is critical for mitigating the impacts of the numerous disasters occurring globally. Unfortunately, these shelters are frequently constructed with insufficient attention to comfort levels and minimum standards for temporary refuge. This study examines wooden post-emergency shelters, which have [...] Read more.
The design of post-emergency shelters is critical for mitigating the impacts of the numerous disasters occurring globally. Unfortunately, these shelters are frequently constructed with insufficient attention to comfort levels and minimum standards for temporary refuge. This study examines wooden post-emergency shelters, which have become increasingly common in various refugee camps and regions worldwide. Using the Active House Protocol, a comprehensive comparative analysis of indoor comfort is conducted to propose innovative approaches to global design challenges, particularly in developing countries. To minimize the negative effects of disasters and increase sustainability, it is essential to explore the feasibility of designing comfortable shelters despite numerous obstacles, such as the limited availability of low-cost materials and the lack of skills of the local workforce. Various shelter configurations are analyzed, revealing that structures made from natural materials and designed with careful consideration of air circulation yielded the highest comfort values. Additionally, the study finds that wooden structures do not always provide the best solution, contrary to common practice. Inadequate comfort standards can lead to distress and psychological stress among occupants, highlighting the necessity to improve design and construction practices to ensure the well-being of disaster-affected populations. Finally, this study provides guidelines on the minimum requirements for the development of post-disaster shelters, advocating for solutions that are both simple and effective in rapidly addressing the critical situations that arise following disasters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches, Techniques and Technologies Related to Retrofitting Architectural Heritage for Sustainable and Resilient Cities)
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19 pages, 4548 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Stone Waste Sludge and Preliminary Investigation on Green Materials Based on Traditional Lime Putty for Sustainable Construction
by Albina Scioti, Graziella Bernardo, Ippolita Mecca and Fabio Fatiguso
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219173 - 22 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Very large quantities of stone waste sludge are disposed in exhausted quarries and have a very low reuse rate to date. The paper considers the possibility of using these types of industrial waste in partial substitution of natural aggregates for the production of [...] Read more.
Very large quantities of stone waste sludge are disposed in exhausted quarries and have a very low reuse rate to date. The paper considers the possibility of using these types of industrial waste in partial substitution of natural aggregates for the production of lime-based plasters. Traditional materials based on lime, the only material with a carbon neutrality life cycle, have considerable potential for use as components of green materials for plastering and finishing building surfaces in both new construction and historic heritage conservation. The paper presents the preliminary results of a research activity aimed at developing pre-packaged products based on Traditional Lime Putty (TLP) by partially replacing natural aggregates with Stone Waste Sludge (SWS), with a low rate of recovery from the Apricena limestone production district in Apulia. The mineralogical and chemical analysis carried out using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), TG-DTA (Thermo Gravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis), and hydrochloric acid attack test showed that the SWS consisted of 98.4 % CaCO3 by mass. The particle sizes measured by laser diffraction technique are below 22.5 μm for the 92% mass of the sample. The high fineness of the stone waste was confirmed by the Blaine-specific surface method, which equals to 9273.79 cm2/gr. The behavior of three fresh mixtures for prepacked coarse plaster, fine plaster, and finishing plaster with 12.90%, 17.94%, and 18.90 by mass of SWS, respectively, was evaluated by spreading test and applicability tests on a perforated ceramic slab. The finishing plaster has the highest consistency value of 235 mm, while the fine plaster and the coarse plaster have values of 205 mm and 155 mm, respectively. The coarse plaster is suitable for use as base plaster (arriccio) or second layer rendering (tonachino) up to a thickness of approximately 1 cm. Both the fine plaster and finishing plasters can be used for the surfaces finishing with the application of layers of a few millimeters thick. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches, Techniques and Technologies Related to Retrofitting Architectural Heritage for Sustainable and Resilient Cities)
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