1,720,964 research outputs found
I chiostri urbani come risorsa per la mitigazione e l’adattamento climatico. Urban cloisters as a resource for climate mitigation and adaptation
No full textCultural heritage is a valuable resource for mitigating climate change, as it records past successes and resiliencies. Cultural heritage buildings represent a collection of historical actions, processes, and knowledge that exemplify adaptive practices, including traditional and nature-based methods. Heritage-based knowledge has the potential to enhance our understanding of climate change and its impact on societies across various spatial and cultural contexts. The diverse utilization of cultural heritage buildings can contribute to the development of adaptive solutions to address the present and future challenges posed by climate change. Historical buildings and heritage structures can provide valuable knowledge of climate adaptation strategies, both in terms of pre-existing knowledge and previously unimagined insights. In this work, we consider historical cloisters as a widespread typology that is often found in dense and compact urban areas. The term “cloister” refers to secluded spaces in religious buildings, characterized by a paved or vegetated courtyard and porticoes on one or more sides. The mitigating role of urban cloisters in reducing the urban heat island effect is well-established. However, there is limited information available on the practical implementation of strategies to repurpose these cloisters and enhance outdoor comfort for residents. This work aims to identify strategies and opportunities for optimizing the microclimatic performance of urban cloisters by utilizing the building typology, form, and materials of often-unused spaces. Given the diffusion of the urban cloister type and the typological invariances that characterize these building structures, this study explores how knowledge derived from historical Italian cloisters’ cultural heritage can be applied to present-day climate mitigation and adaptation needs in urban environments, specifically to improve outdoor thermal comfort. The paper presents a study of several cloisters located in the city of Parma (IT). These cloisters are identified and classified based on their H/W ratio, type of transitional space, and microclimatic behavior. The study used the values of PET as an indicator of outdoor thermal stress. Microclimatic simulations and on-site measurements will identify opportunities and challenges in mitigating future heat waves by improving outdoor thermal comfort
From patented prefabricated panels to energy requalification strategies. The case of nursery schools in Emilia Romagna region
No full textSince the 1960s, prefabrication has become an increasingly popular technique for building construction. Prefabricated building components are preferred because they can save costs, expedite construction schedules, increase quality control, and provide safer working environ- ments. Despite the initial extensive use of prefabricated buildings for residential purposes, the acknowledged advantages were also applied to the construction of new schools. The urgent need to quickly establish a network of new schools at all levels led the main manufacturers of prefabricated components to file numerous patents for prefabricated panels and floors. These were widely used in all regions until the early 1980s. Today, most of these buildings, constructed using compositional schemes that involved the assembly of prefabricated cells, require energy and functional retrofit interventions. Understanding the patents and technologies used is es- sential for optimizing the redevelopment intervention in terms of costs and fully leveraging the replicability of the project to be applied to schools of the same historical era and prefabrication type. Regarding prefabricated school buildings, particularly nursery schools, there are several opportunities to support energy and environmental retrofit projects and optimize the inherent opportunities in prefabricated panels. The paper aims to present a retrofit project workflow for single-story prefab nursery schools. The case studies are in Carpi, in northern Italy
Assessing the Resilience Potential of Cloisters in Historical Urban Areas in Response to Climate Change
No full textThe current debate increasingly focuses on revitalizing city centers, areas where a significant portion of the population is concentrated. It has been observed that several components of historic cities provide resilience measures against the impacts of climate change; therefore, their protection is crucial. This paper will concentrate on cloisters as examples of open and transitional spaces that are essential for mitigating the negative effects of increasingly extreme weather events within historic centers. This study aims to understand the role and thermal resilience potential of three historical urban cloisters in Italy, compared to the surrounding urban fabric, while considering both present and future scenarios. Through microclimatic assessments conducted using ENVI-met software, the thermal behavior of three case studies is assessed by calculating the absolute differences in Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) values. The findings indicate that cloisters with lower absolute differences in thermal stress values demonstrate a greater potential for adapting to future overheating. Despite the varying morpho-typological cloisters features, the study reveals that the shaded areas within these cloisters exhibit increased resilience to rising temperatures, highlighting their importance in urban thermal behavior
From Patented Prefabricated Panels to Energy Requalification Strategies. The Case of Nursery Schools in Emilia Romagna Region
No full textSince the 1960s, prefabrication has become an increasingly popular technique for building construction. Prefabricated building components are preferred because they can save costs, expedite construction schedules, increase quality control, and provide safer working environments. Despite the initial extensive use of prefabricated buildings for residential purposes, the acknowledged advantages were also applied to the construction of new schools. The urgent need to quickly establish a network of new schools at all levels led the main manufacturers of prefabricated components to file numerous patents for prefabricated panels and floors. These were widely used in all regions until the early 1980s. Today, most of these buildings, constructed using compositional schemes that involved the assembly of prefabricated cells, require energy and functional retrofit interventions. Understanding the patents and technologies used is essential for optimizing the redevelopment intervention in terms of costs and fully leveraging the replicability of the project to be applied to schools of the same historical era and prefabrication type. Regarding prefabricated school buildings, particularly nursery schools, there are several opportunities to support energy and environmental retrofit projects and optimize the inherent opportunities in prefabricated panels. The paper aims to present a retrofit project workflow for single-story prefab nursery schools. The case studies are in Carpi, in northern Italy
On the role of historical transitional spaces in counteracting urban heat island effect
No full textClimate change is affecting cultural heritage sites globally. Despite progress, obstacles remain in adapting historical transitional spaces to present and projected climate hazards. Adaptation policies have emphasized the importance of built spaces and suggested mitigation measures for buildings. However, open and transitional spaces such as courtyards, cloisters, and porticoes are often neglected or underestimated. Transitional space is an area that acts as a connection between outdoor and indoor environments, serving as a buffer zone and a physical link. This study explores how these archetypal buildings can mitigate overheating in historical urban contexts and their impact on the Urban Heat Island (UHI), in comparison to the dense urban texture where they are located. The analysis focuses on building forms, proportions, and height-to-width ratios. The objective of this study is to investigate the thermal resilience of historical transitional buildings to withstand the effects of climate change, considering their typology, including spatial configuration and Height to Width (H/W) ratio, and the potential influence of urban form on the thermal performance of open spaces. Three different transitional spaces are selected according to their typology, geometry, and function. The research here presented integrates a typological analysis with a thermal microclimatic assessment conducted via Ladybug's tools to evaluate the ability of three selected case studies to withstand extreme temperatures and other environmental stressors. Parma, Italy, is a case study
Infrared Thermography for Moisture Detection and Mould Prevention: Expeditious Measures to Upgrade School Buildings
No full textRecent advancements in infrared thermography have significantly improved indoor thermal inspections, enhancing the detection of water infiltration, concealed moisture, and areas prone to mould growth. Although thermal images do not directly reveal mould, thermographic investigations are widely used to monitor indoor thermal comfort and air quality, particularly in school buildings. High-resolution devices such as the FLIR E96 and FLIR MR277, combined with environmental monitoring, enable thorough assessments.
This study focuses on a school in the Emilia-Romagna region, where thermographic and thermo-hygrometric surveys identified anomalies including roof leaks and wall infiltration. These pathologies raise concerns about potential plaster detachment beneath slabs, posing safety risks and fostering mould-prone conditions. Infrared thermography offers a non-invasive tool for early detection of such degradation, allowing for timely, targeted interventions without interrupting school activities. The findings emphasize the importance of detailed diagnostics in areas with suspected moisture accumulation and offer technical recommendations to support mould and moisture prevention in educational environment
Hortus inclusus e chiostri urbani. Un approccio per il recupero microclimatico
No full textThe topic of functional recovery and the valorization of urban open spaces centers on an oftenoverlooked building type: urban cloisters, which were historically surrounded by convents. In this contribution, the author discusses the restoration of two large monasteries in Parma that are set to be transformed into student residences. The restoration project is further enhanced by the integration of microclimatic analysis and related design considerations
HORTUS INCLUSUS E CHIOSTRI URBANI. Un approccio per il recupero microclimatico
No full texthe topic of functional recovery and the valorization of urban open spaces centers on an often-
overlooked building type: urban cloisters, which were historically surrounded by convents. In this
contribution, the author discusses the restoration of two large monasteries in Parma that are set to be transformed into student residences. The restoration project is further enhanced by the integration of microclimatic analysis and related design considerations
Spazi di transizione nella città storica e cambiamenti climatici: un approccio trasversale per l’adattamento, il riuso e la conservazione per nuove soluzioni di resilienza. Transitional spaces in historic cities and climate change: a transversal approach to adaptation, reuse and conservation for new resilience solutions
No full textClimate change is currently impacting cultural heritage globally. Despite several
enhancements in understanding the relationship between climate change impacts and
cultural heritage, significant barriers hamper the adaptation of historical transitional
spaces, especially for cloister typology. It is relevant to examine instances of
conservation and valorisation of the cloisters to promote regenerative reuse, allowing
a redevelopment of these places, and to promote outdoor comfort within the
historical city. Therefore, the research will start with a typological classification to
recognise the instances of conservation and reuse for these spaces, identify the best
practices trough select case studies in order to apply parametric and microclimatic
simulations. The research will lead to the identification of guidelines with integrated
mitigation/adaptation/enhancement/conservation solutions that can promote the
natural resilience of cloisters in the historic city
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