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Abstract Owing to the lack of appropriate protection measures, natural and human factors have led to the deterioration of rockeries, which are a distinct cultural heritage with both aesthetic and historical value and an essential component of Chinese classical gardens. The state of rockeries is evaluated by craftsmen who assess the damage levels based on their experience. While this is a common practice, it lacks standardization, which may cause a great uncertainty that influences the efficiency of the protection of rockeries. The preservation and risk mitigation of cultural heritages require the use of reliable tools that provide an accurate diagnosis of their conditions. Multi-criteria decision-making techniques have been applied in several previous studies and proven to be a reliable method for conducting vulnerability or risk assessment for cultural heritage. Therefore, this study developed a health risk assessment tool based on multi-criteria decision-making techniques that can be applied to rockeries in Chinese classical gardens. In contrast to other multi-criteria decision-making methodologies, the proposed method emphasizes the detailed analysis of the health state of rockeries based on impartial and objective data. Moreover, based on the ultimate risk rating for rockeries, the decision makers can arrange the priorities of action in a hierarchical manner, and the cost-efficient protection measures can be identified. Results from the application of four different case studies are illustrated to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.

Owing to the lack of appropriate protection measures, natural and human factors have led to the deterioration of rockeries, which are a distinct cultural heritage with both aesthetic and historical value and an essential component of Chinese classical gardens. The state of rockeries is evaluated by craftsmen who assess the damage levels based on their experience. While this is a common practice, it lacks standardization, which may cause a great uncertainty that influences the efficiency of the protection of rockeries. The preservation and risk mitigation of cultural heritages require the use of reliable tools that provide an accurate diagnosis of their conditions. Multi-criteria decision-making techniques have been applied in several previous studies and proven to be a reliable method for conducting vulnerability or risk assessment for cultural heritage. Therefore, this study developed a health risk assessment tool based on multi-criteria decision-making techniques that can be applied to rockeries in Chinese classical gardens. In contrast to other multi-criteria decision-making methodologies, the proposed method emphasizes the detailed analysis of the health state of rockeries based on impartial and objective data. Moreover, based on the ultimate risk rating for rockeries, the decision makers can arrange the priorities of action in a hierarchical manner, and the cost-efficient protection measures can be identified. Results from the application of four different case studies are illustrated to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current pressure on the built historical heritage requires a global evaluation to develop strategies for its preservation. A combined vision of the state of conservation of architectural heritage is essential to highlight the vulnerabilities of the structure from which harmonized measures can be proposed for its mitigation.This study proposes a multi-criteria analysis methodology that considers a qualitative and quantitative approach to organize the global conservation state of heritage buildings hierarchically. A global index can be determined on the basis of the generation of an interoperable data matrix by defining a set of indicators to assess different components of a building. This index describes the risk with respect to the stability, safety, and habitability of the building.This methodology aims to achieve the state of the building in an integral way by obtaining a simple and objective index that enables efficient comparison among different buildings. The application of this methodology to a historic area allows creating a hierarchical map of risk to stablish priorities for intervention and enable a sustainable and critical management and planning over the actions of maintenance, conservation, and restoration. In this way, a holistic vision of the complex reality of built heritage and the urban landscape is obtained to identify critical areas of priority intervention.

The current pressure on the built historical heritage requires a global evaluation to develop strategies for its preservation. A combined vision of the state of conservation of architectural heritage is essential to highlight the vulnerabilities of the structure from which harmonized measures can be proposed for its mitigation. This study proposes a multi-criteria analysis methodology that considers a qualitative and quantitative approach to organize the global conservation state of heritage buildings hierarchically. A global index can be determined on the basis of the generation of an interoperable data matrix by defining a set of indicators to assess different components of a building. This index describes the risk with respect to the stability, safety, and habitability of the building. This methodology aims to achieve the state of the building in an integral way by obtaining a simple and objective index that enables efficient comparison among different buildings. The application of this methodology to a historic area allows creating a hierarchical map of risk to stablish priorities for intervention and enable a sustainable and critical management and planning over the actions of maintenance, conservation, and restoration. In this way, a holistic vision of the complex reality of built heritage and the urban landscape is obtained to identify critical areas of priority intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architectural heritage is continuously exposed to natural disasters, such as strong earthquakes and this highlights the importance of reducing their vulnerability. While it is not possible to simultaneously strengthen all architectural heritage structures due to the limited skilled labour and budget restrictions, different buildings may need different treatments due to differences in exposure to seismic hazard, relative importance and vulnerability. Therefore, there is a need for a decision making strategy to find optimized solutions to achieve the highest possible stability and benefits. The primary objective of this research is to develop a practical step-by-step decision making process for the planning and prioritization of interventions in architectural heritage structures based on the level of seismic hazard, vulnerability and condition assessment, available preservation and strengthening techniques, compatibility with conservation ethics, available budget and expected benefits in various time schedules. The proposed methodology, is shown by diagram and mathematical formulae, and is demonstrated through a case study example.

Architectural heritage is continuously exposed to natural disasters, such as strong earthquakes and this highlights the importance of reducing their vulnerability. While it is not possible to simultaneously strengthen all architectural heritage structures due to the limited skilled labour and budget restrictions, different buildings may need different treatments due to differences in exposure to seismic hazard, relative importance and vulnerability. Therefore, there is a need for a decision making strategy to find optimized solutions to achieve the highest possible stability and benefits. The primary objective of this research is to develop a practical step-by-step decision making process for the planning and prioritization of interventions in architectural heritage structures based on the level of seismic hazard, vulnerability and condition assessment, available preservation and strengthening techniques, compatibility with conservation ethics, available budget and expected benefits in various time schedules. The proposed methodology, is shown by diagram and mathematical formulae, and is demonstrated through a case study example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the development of a procedure aimed at defining a seismic risk mitigation strategy for public buildings in terms of prioritization, time required and funds. The procedure is based on a global risk index involving the entire building stock under study thus facilitating an examination of risk variation over time up to its final value. Relationships between the current seismic capacity–demand ratios and the required strengthening costs (cost models) have been developed. Each of the assumed cost models has a different target in terms of capacity–demand ratio to be obtained after strengthening, basically ranging between full retrofit and upgrading. The procedure has been applied to 69 hospital buildings located in Basilicata region for which the vulnerability data was available as a result of a large assessment program set up by the regional government. Priorities have been defined on the basis of seismic capacity, local hazard and number of human beings possibly involved (exposure). The results of different strengthening strategies have been outlined with a special focus on the pros and cons of the upgrading strategy with respect to various retrofit strategies. The procedure may be applied to different categories of public buildings by properly modifying some input parameters and partially redefining criteria for prioritization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]