Abstract
CHIARA - Cultural Heritage Innovation Adopting Risk Assessment. Advanced procedures for the enhancement of nationwide built heritage (positioned in isolated and/or peripheral locations) is a research project (PRIN 2022) carried out by an interdisciplinary network involving three universities: Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Politecnico di Milano and Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” with support from the European Union - NextGenerationEU. The research aimed to develop indicators of vulnerability and risk for cultural heritage related to climatic and microclimatic factors, considering climate change and the more general microclimatic risks associated with poorly managed structures. This aims to promote Heritage preservation through effective planning and actions, through the definition of useful and necessary interventions. The developed risk indices and protocols were the result of a process that considered the knowledge of the building, its historical vulnerabilities, and current conditions, in the interaction between the building and its environment, and between the microclimate and outdoor climate. The premise is that the only truly effective protection policy is preventive conservation, capable of reducing restoration interventions and their overall cost.
Results achieved
The research findings of CHIARA allowed to evaluate the effects of outdoor impact and changes on heritage conservation, in terms of microclimate, dusts, and various risks, and to establish indoor air quality parameters, which affect the comfort and health of people, as well as the conservation of the architecture and the heritage contained therein. These evaluations allow decision-makers responsible for this heritage management to plan necessary and effective conservation and restoration campaigns. The project, therefore, allowed to work around the concept of microclimatic risk and to develop planned preservation strategies for historic buildings and their contents. The research was carried out on a broad and diverse set of heritage case studies, in both geographical and chronological terms, after developing tools and methods for monitoring and alerting risk phenomena. The use of new technologies – developed through a partnership with a company specialised in environmental monitoring, Vica System – for the remote monitoring and control of the parameters above defined led to the production of low-cost, easy-to-use and highly efficient instruments for conservation. Throughout the project period, the research team was engaged in an extensive and diversified dissemination effort, reaching both academic and broader public audiences. The results of the CHIARA research were presented at national and international events, including conferences, seminars, workshops and academic lectures. Contributions spanned major national venues in the fields of architectural heritage, conservation, restoration, cultural heritage policies, architectural planning and urban studies, ensuring visibility across multiple disciplinary communities. In parallel with academic dissemination, the project developed a range of public-facing communication activities. Social media channels were used throughout the entire project period, providing updates through advertisements, posts and stories to disseminate the project activities and involve local communities. The dissemination activities culminated in the Final National Conference (Bologna, 13 February 2026), where all major research outputs were presented to a specialised audience of institutions (Italian Ministry of Culture; Emilia-Romagna Region; Superintendence; CEI - Italian Episcopal Conference; Cariplo Foundation; ICR - Central Institute for Restoration; CNR - National Council of Research) and practitioners. Before the National Conference, four meetings, held in Castrocaro, Cesenatico, Grizzana Morandi and Faenza, were organised for engaging local communities, including municipalities, associations and citizens, with the themes of nationwide built heritage preservation through IoT monitoring of microclimate, also in the view of further planned events and venues. The research was largely aligned with the funded project and reached conclusions that make a significant contribution to the implementation of more effective policies for the preservation of historical and artistic heritage located outside major tourist circuits, particularly in relation to issues of climate change, the protection of air quality at the monitored sites and the conservation of the materials composing the assets. The research has shed light on some of the issues at the heart of the “protection of minor heritage,” which place the issue at the crossroads of a sets of challenges: those related to assessing the risks to which such heritage is exposed, and the development of an effective planned conservation plan, along with the issue of Heritage Communities. In addition to shedding light on these issues, the research has made it possible to focus attention on practical problems that are essential for the implementation of an effective policy for the protection of lesser-known historical and artistic heritage.Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Marco Pretelli
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Architettura
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 200.750,00
Contributo totale Unibo: Euro (EUR) 72.750,00
Durata del progetto in mesi: 24
Data di inizio
17/10/2023
Data di fine:
28/02/2026
