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The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 50114

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Simona M. C. Porto

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, via S. Sofia n. 100, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: biosystems engineering; buildings for agriculture, animal husbandry, protected crops, rural dwellings; analysis and modelling of biological systems in relation to rural buildings; classification, recovery and enhancement of traditional rural building heritage; survey, representation, analysis, modelling and planning of the rural territory
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

World’s population is becoming increasingly urban. Migrations from rural areas to urban centres are mainly due to the concentration of industry expertise into big cities as well as goods and services supplied to urban people. These movements impact on both infrastructures and built areas as new viability, dwellings, and facilities are required in order to support larger populations. This condition, which makes cities highly populated at a level never observed before with a detriment of city life quality, led urban people to new uses of the countryside, alternative to the agricultural one according to the new principles of the multifunctional agriculture.

In this context, traditional rural buildings (TRBs) could be considered a relevant cultural, social and economic resource due to their potential to be converted for new functional destinations. On the one hand this potential could give renewed life to TRBs, on the other hand it may also create potential threats to the cultural and environmental characteristics of such kind of buildings. TRBs were built by using materials and construction techniques rooted in the territorial context where they are located, they constitute anthropic elements that could enhance landscape quality and, at the same time, they are a testimony of the socio-cultural and economic characteristics of the historical period when they were built. Their conservation, recovery and valorisation could help the preservation of local community identities and could improve territorial attractiveness. This issue is widely treated in the scientific community as well as among several international organizations that deal with the recovery and reuse of built vernacular heritage, such as ECOVAST and ICOMOS.

In order to assure a sustainable re-use of TRBs, it is necessary to develop widespread awareness of the intrinsic cultural values of TRBs, especially among local communities and visitors. People involved within programs which aim at divulgating TRBs’ cultural value could develop a sense of care for such buildings and this would constitute the basis for their preservation.

On this basis, the objective of this special issue is to explore the concept of sustainability in TRBs re-use. Authors are invited to submit original papers which will regard:

studies on sustainable functional reutilization of TRBs without compromising their original characters with particular reference to building materials, building techniques and indoor functional distribution;
sustainable planning of social, cultural and economic activities which could promote multifunctional use of TRBs and rural areas;
local studies on the sustainable integration of TRBs with the physical, social, economic and cultural environment;
development of methodologies, such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC), to determine environmental and economic costs of TRBs’ reuse;
building of information modelling (BIM) methods to create frameworks for monitoring the maintenance of TRBs, with particular reference to reused ones;
exploration of traditional building techniques applied for reusing TRBs in order to improve environmental sustainability.

Dr. Simona M. C. Porto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Vernacular heritage
Old rural buildings
Sustainable building materials and techniques
Local traditions
Sustainable planning of activities in rural area

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 14992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Technical Assessment of Comfort Performance of Hanok Using Comparative Field Surveys between Experts and Users

by Mi-Hyang Lee, Deuk-Youm Cheon and Seung-Hoon Han

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10315; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410315 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2180

Abstract

The paper aims to evaluate the psychological factors of the comfort performance of the hanok. This is to guide restoration and improvement in consideration of the intangible variables that provide the quality of the hanok. Through this process, we ultimately intend to build an integrated residential performance evaluation system that includes factors related to the quality of residents’ lives, such as the comfort of their surrounding and indoor environment, as well as the functionality and convenience of the hanok, a representative type of Korean traditional architecture. The test method to evaluate the comfort performance of hanok is largely divided into the physical perception element, which is a quantitative indicator, and the psychological cognitive element, which is a qualitative indicator. Physical perceptive factors are composed of nine quantifiable factors that can be measured by numerical values, namely humidity control, condensation, insulation, thermal comfort, air permeability, solar radiation, solar lighting, sound insulation, and air cleanness. This is a perceptual concept of viewing a building as it is, and a quantitative evaluation method of measuring data in the field using environmental sensors and equipment. Psychological cognitive factors that are evaluated based on the experiences of users (residents) living in hanok, are classified into five categories, of scenery, beauty, deodorization, usability, and health. This study was conducted through a questionnaire between experts and users (residents), limited to the psychological factors among methods of evaluating the comfort performance of hanok. As a result, it can be seen that environmental factors are the main variables that influence the degree of satisfaction with the psychological perception factor. This might be a merit factor of general hanok, and weight could be given when creating an integrated standard in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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14 pages, 2475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Radiation Protection Legislation and Sustainable Development of a Rural Green Tuff Village of Ischia Island

by Giuseppe La Verde, Vittoria D’Avino, Carlo Sabbarese, Fabrizio Ambrosino, Vincenzo Roca, Adelaide Raulo and Mariagabriella Pugliese

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208374 - 12 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2533

Abstract

Radiological risk affects the quality of the environment in buildings since population and workers can be potentially exposed to high levels of radiation. Radon gas emanating from both subsoil and building materials represents the most important source of radiation exposure for people. This study investigates the sustainability concept of a small rural village of Ischia Island, named Ciglio, in relation to radiation protection legislation concerning the radiological risk for workers. Radon activity concentration was measured in typical green-tuff dwellings and in water samples collected from a local waterfall E-Perm devices. Moreover, for green tuff as building material, the radon emanation coefficient was calculated by gamma spectroscopy. The results highlight the importance of performing environmental radon monitoring and investigating the radon content of building materials, especially in geographical areas characterized by traditional use of typical stones for constructions. In conclusion, the sustainable development of rural buildings is possible if the radiological risk for inhabitants and workers is assessed in line with the national radiation protection legislation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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22 pages, 1545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multidimensional Model for the Vernacular: Linking Disciplines and Connecting the Vernacular Landscape to Sustainability Challenges

by Juanjo Galan, Felix Bourgeau and Bas Pedroli

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166347 - 06 Aug 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5194

Abstract

After developing a systematic analysis of the vernacular phenomenon in different disciplines, this paper presents a flexible model to understand the multiple factors and the different degrees of vernacularity behind the many processes that lead to the generation of material culture. The conceptual model offers an open, polythetic and integrative approach to the vernacular by assuming that it operates in different dimensions (temporal, socio-political, sociological, locational, epistemological, procedural, economic and functional), and that the many attributes or characteristics included in those dimensions are all relevant but not strictly necessary. The model is intended to facilitate a more methodical and rigorous connection between the vernacular concept and contemporary discourses on sustainability, resilience, globalization, governance, and rural-urban development. In addition, and due to its transdisciplinary character, the model will enable the development of comparative studies within and between a wide range of fields (architecture, landscape studies, design, planning and geography). A prospective analysis of the use of the model in rural landscapes reveals its potential to mediate between the protective approach that has characterized official planning during the last decades and emergent approaches that advocate the reinterpretation of the vernacular as a new form to generate new collective identities and to reconnect people and place. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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20 pages, 6429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Sensation in Courtyards: Potentialities as a Passive Strategy in Tropical Climates

by Ivan Julio Apolonio Callejas, Luciane Cleonice Durante, Eduardo Diz-Mellado and Carmen Galán-Marín

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 6135; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156135 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3174

Abstract

Climate change will bring changes to our living conditions, particularly in urban areas. Climate-responsive design strategies through courtyards can help to moderate temperatures and reduce the thermal stress of its occupants. Thermal response inside courtyard is affected not only by its morphological composition but also by subjective factors. Thus, standardized thermal scales may not reflect the stress of the occupants. This study investigated the impact on thermal attenuation provided by a courtyard located in a tropical climate under extreme cold and hot synoptic conditions by means of local thermal sensation scales. Microclimatic variables were monitored, simultaneously with the application of a thermal comfort questionnaire, by using weather stations installed outside and inside the courtyard. The Modified Physiological Equivalent Temperature Index (mPET) was utilized to predict the heat stress. Calibration was conducted using linear regression to attribute particular thermal sensation votes to correspondent mPET values. It was found that thermal sensation can be affected by factors such as psychological, behavioral, and physiological. The courtyard’s form provides a passive cooling effect, stabilizing interior thermal sensation, with attenuation peaks of 6.4 °C on a cold day and 5.0 °C on a hot day. Courtyards are an alternative passive strategy to improve thermal ambience in tropical climate, counterbalancing climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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18 pages, 9548 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Learning Model for Form Recognition and Structural Member Classification of East Asian Traditional Buildings

by Seung-Yeul Ji and Han-Jong Jun

Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135292 - 30 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3846

Abstract

The unique characteristics of traditional buildings can provide fresh insights for sustainable building development. In this study, a deep learning model and methodology were developed for classifying traditional buildings by using artificial intelligence (AI)-based image analysis technology. The model was constructed based on expert knowledge of East Asian buildings. Videos and images from Korea, Japan, and China were used to determine building types and classify and locate structural members. Two deep learning algorithms were applied to object recognition: a region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) to distinguish traditional buildings by country and you only look once (YOLO) to recognise structural members. A cloud environment was used to develop a practical model that can handle various environments in real time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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31 pages, 13030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Multidisciplinary Methodology for the Analysis of Traditional Marginal Architecture

by Simona Calvagna, Antonio Gagliano, Sebastiano Greco, Gianluca Rodonò and Vincenzo Sapienza

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041285 - 11 Feb 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2389

Abstract

In rural and marginal landscapes, the architectural heritage carries an inestimable value. It distinguishes these places from the standardization of contemporary society and it makes them authentic and rooted in the territory. Investigating the real potential of building heritage and understanding what actions should be taken to raise it to the needs of contemporary society is one way to preserve this authenticity. The article presents an innovative multidisciplinary tool, based on GIS methodology, for rapid evaluation of the features of traditional rural architecture. With it, it is possible to carry out a complex analysis, by considering architectural, energy and structural items. It can also guide the design activities in order to optimize the revitalization actions, emphasizing the holistic approach. The potentiality of this procedure will be shown for a test site, namely, the Isle of Filicudi (Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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11 pages, 6541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Strategies to Improve the Thermal Performance of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Storage Area in Traditional Rural Olive Mills

by Francesco Barreca and Pasquale Praticò

Sustainability 2020, 12(1), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010194 - 25 Dec 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

The quality of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is strongly correlated to the fatty acid alkyl esters (FAEE) content. High storage temperature leads to degradation of positive oil attributes in the long term, while low temperature develops rancidity quickly, thus reducing the consumer’s acceptance and, therefore, the shelf life of EVOO. In Calabria, there are many traditional olive mills, yet only few are utilized nowadays. This is mainly due to the low building performance—in particular to the temperature control inside the oil storage area. This paper illustrates the thermal analysis carried out on a famous historical olive mill located in Lamezia Terme, the best agricultural land in Calabria. A thermal retrofitting assessment was conducted, and eight different passive strategies were evaluated to improve the sustainability of the buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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16 pages, 5730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Sustainability of the Traditional Sirinić Houses in the Šar Mountain Region, the South-Western Balkans

by Saja Kosanović, Branislav Folić, Stefan Kovačević, Ivana Nikolić and Ljubiša Folić

Sustainability 2019, 11(17), 4711; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174711 - 29 Aug 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3532

Abstract

The research of traditional rural architecture in developing regions is important to both the preservation of cultural heritage and the mitigation of the trends and consequences of unsustainable rural shifts. In the Western Balkans, for example, negative transformation of the rural environment happens more rapidly than the recording of its traditional built assets. For that reason, the objectives of the present research were to explore general and specific (sustainability-related) characteristics of traditional rural houses in the so far insufficiently studied microregion of the Western Balkans of Sirinićka Župa (Sirinić), to reveal their values and to initiate discussion of the role of heritage regeneration in sustainable rural development. Study has shown that the most significant values of Sirinić houses include opulent spatial-functional typology, distinct architectural expression, and sustainability-related quality in terms of applied materials, structural systems, and multipurpose techniques and elements, as well as a high level of spatial comfort. A necessary regeneration of the traditional houses of Sirinićka Župa must be formulated in a way that enables preservation of recognized general values and further improvement of environmental quality and climate resilience. Simultaneously, functional reactivation of traditional houses should be understood as a contribution to the sustainable development of Sirinićka Župa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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18 pages, 3608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Rural Buildings on Landscape Fragmentation in Natura 2000 Sites: A Case Study in Sardinia

by Antonio Ledda, Vittorio Serra and Andrea De Montis

Sustainability 2019, 11(17), 4695; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11174695 - 28 Aug 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2296

Abstract

Landscape fragmentation (LF) is the process where habitat patches tend to become smaller and more isolated over time. It is mainly due to human activities and affects habitats, biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and ecological networks. Transport and mobility infrastructures and urbanized areas—also in the form of suburban and rural sprawl—contribute to LF and can be localized close to (or included in) Natura 2000 sites (N2000 sites). N2000 sites are set according to the Habitats and Birds Directives and consist of special protection areas, sites of community importance, and special areas of conservation, where LF may threaten habitat quality and species survival and dispersal. Then, new rules and planning approaches are called for defining effective protection measures. The knowledge of the context appears to be a priority to achieve such aims. Therefore, this study focuses on LF in N2000 sites. We apply the rural buildings fragmentation index (RBFI) and the effective mesh density (Seff) in six landscape units in Sardinia (Italy). Then, we report on the least and the most fragmented N2000 sites and assess if there is correlation between RBFI and Seff. In this study, RBFI and Seff provide not trivial outcomes, as they are weakly and positively correlated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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23 pages, 6269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Measurement of the Level of Consistency of Farm Buildings with Rural Heritage: A Methodology Tested on an Italian Case Study

by Stefano Benni, Elisabetta Carfagna, Daniele Torreggiani, Elisabetta Maino, Marco Bovo and Patrizia Tassinari

Sustainability 2019, 11(15), 4242; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154242 - 06 Aug 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

The industrialization after World War II marked a severe discontinuity between rural heritage and contemporary farm buildings. Rural landscapes have thus become more and more uniform; historical buildings are often abandoned and degraded, while contemporary buildings are often disconnected from their surrounding environment. Besides aiming to protect and restore rural heritage—more and more acknowledged as a common good contributing to societal identity—attention should be paid to increasing the quality of new buildings, a crucial issue to improve landscape quality in everyday landscape contexts. Based on a series of previous studies carried out to develop and test a robust methodology allowing the analysis of the main formal features of rural buildings, organized in a comprehensive framework known as the FarmBuiLD model (Farm Building Landscape Design), this study aims to perform an integrated and compared analysis of sets of traditional and contemporary rural buildings through experimental trials on an Italian case study. In particular, the study focuses on defining and measuring indexes allowing the quantification of the level of consistency of contemporary buildings with the traditional typologies. A contemporary farm building is evaluated based on the distance of each of its formal features from those which proved to be representative of the corresponding traditional building type, evaluated through a cluster analysis of the typological characters of traditional buildings in the study area. The results showed that different degrees of dissonance can be detected. Similarities have been found, in particular with respect to the shape of buildings and their closure with regards to landscape. The major dissonances are related to the perception of buildings as flattened on the ground, due to their excessively elongated shape, and in the case of buildings completely permeable to landscape, this being necessary for structural purposes and for the type of use of historic buildings. The expected impact of this study is to provide designers and planners with indicators allowing the evaluation, on an objective basis, of the level of consistency of new buildings with local rural heritage, thus supporting both design phases and project evaluation as well as building management processes (maintenance, restoration, extension, change in use, etc.). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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Review

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17 pages, 2451 KiB

Open AccessReview

Organized Framework of Main Possible Applications of Sheep Wool Fibers in Building Components

by Monica C.M. Parlato and Simona M.C. Porto

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12030761 - 21 Jan 2020

Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6856

Abstract

Greasy sheep wool is currently considered a special waste for its high bacterial load, with expensive disposal costs for sheep breeders. For this reason, wool is often burned or buried, with serious consequences for the environment. On the other hand, sheep wool is well regarded as one of the most performative insulating natural fibers due to its thermo-hygrometric and acoustic properties. In the building sector, sheep wool meets the requirements of green building components because it is an eco-friendly material, there is a surplus of it, it is annually renewable, and totally recyclable. If used instead of common insulation materials (e.g., fiberglass, rock wool, polyurethane foam, polystyrene), sheep wool offers significant benefits for sustainability such as a reduction in the production costs for new insulating materials and in environmental pollution. Mechanical and physical properties of sheep wool investigated in previous studies were assessed and discussed with the aim of providing an organized framework of possible applications of wool fibers in building components. This paper highlights in detail aspects that have not yet been investigated enough to detect new potential uses of sheep wool fibers in rural buildings and the reuse of traditional ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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19 pages, 2655 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physical Properties of Straw Bales as a Construction Material: A Review

by Stefano Cascone, Renata Rapisarda and Dario Cascone

Sustainability 2019, 11(12), 3388; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123388 - 19 Jun 2019

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 11459

Abstract

Straw bale buildings provide significant benefits in terms of costs, human health, and environmental sustainability. Several studies in different regions have underlined the remarkable properties of straw bales as insulating and construction material; however, to the authors’ knowledge, there are no reviews published on this topic. The main objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of straw bale systems, focusing on durability and thermal and acoustic insulation properties. To this end, previous tests and studies on straw bale buildings around the world were reviewed, comparing their results, assessing where research currently stands, and identifying the aspects that need to be further investigated. Results from previous tests have highlighted their ability to achieve excellent living comfort and encouraged their use. Guidelines for the characteristics to be achieved during the baling process are now required. Combining straw bale walls with a render or any type of high-density layer can improve both the thermal and acoustic properties of straw bale constructions. Finally, a quantitative assessment of the most significant properties, such as thermal resistance and acoustic insulation, is necessary to reduce the gap between straw bales and traditional building materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exploration of Sustainability in Traditional Rural Buildings)

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