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Abstract:The paper presents a spatial information system (SIS) developed in the research project, "Tecniche murarie tradizionali: conoscenza per la conservazione ed il miglioramento prestazionale" (Traditional building techniques: from knowledge to conservation and performance improvement), with the aim of archiving and managing the data derived from the project. The research project has the purpose of studying the building techniques of the 13th-18th centuries in the Sardinia region (Italy) for their knowledge, conservation, and promotion. The research is founded on a multidisciplinary approach involving several specialists integrating their expertise and providing their input to the knowledge of the dimensional, technical constructive, mensiochronological, materials, physical-mechanical, and energy performance features. This multidisciplinary approach is used to define the peculiarities and behavior of the examined structures, including their performance levels, and then direct the interventions toward innovative, mindful, and ethically correct solutions. The management of the huge amount of data produced during the research required the building of a SIS composed of a geodatabase connected to a GIS and a WebGIS through a Web Map Service (WMS). The entire infrastructure is developed and implemented using open source software components, and will make the research data available to the scientific and professional communities, both for further development and for technical uses. As of today, we surveyed and archived more than 500 buildings belonging to the Sardinia region architectural heritage, and classified them into four main macro categories: defensive architectures, religious architectures, residential architectures, and industrial architectures.

The research focuses mainly on the extraordinary stratigraphy still evident in the ancient urban walls of Cagliari (Sardinia-Italy). The overall interest of this study lies in the fact that it provides a substantial contribution to the definition of a methodology for the study of the growth and transformation of walled cities. The first objective achieved refers to chronostratigraphy and is the experimentation of a methodology capable of dating bricks and stone masonries and the definition of the relative and absolute chronology of structures. More specifically, by means of an archaeological survey, each architectural stratum has been measured and described in relation to its building materials, state of conservation, stratigraphic relationships, also using the Harris matrix. Furthermore, great effort has gone into documenting those parts of the walls that are still authentic, as recent works carried out on consistent portions of these structures have cancelled some relevant stratifications, particularly those referred to historical restoration works. Regarding the tools used, all data has been stored implementing a web-based database (SICaR) developed by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage (MIBAC).

The study contributes to the recognition of the central role of the interface in a restoration project. In fact, boundaries, joints and connections represent the key factor for understanding and interpreting the chronological sequence of the construction in a historical monument and they are the place where the contact of different entities can engender problems of connection and transmission, as well as material, chemical-physical, aesthetic or related to technological compatibility (structural, thermic and hygrometric). In the planning stage, they also intervene decisively in the principles of feasibility such as distinctness, reversibility, current expression and sustainability, which form the theoretical basis of the discipline. One particular case of interface is the one generated by erosion. The text presents the case of erosion of the urban walls of Cagliari, where the phenomenon has been faced by the creation of interesting integration interfaces in the course of time. Particularly, in the case of the 'Porta di Altamira', a scale of the degrees of erosion, useful for the planning of possible units of integration, has been studied. Based on the case study and the theoretical principles of the discipline, the research suggests the stratigraphic process as a standard methodology and operating criterion for the preservation and the restoration of interfaces and for the integration of gaps.

The present article illustrates an interdisciplinary methodology for the protection of fortified old towns and the management of their possible future transformation. Specifically, the study has developed a process of investigation to support the identification, assessment and conservation of material evidences related to the urban walls inside old towns. The disciplinary fields involved in the research are mainly history, drawing and restoration, supported by diagnostics on materials and structures, urban planning and sustainable design. The testing area is the walled city of Cagliari, a typical Mediterranean fortified settlement, highly stratified with a wide chronology of structures and interesting military constructive techniques. The research develops a working structure for the reasoned collection of contributions belonging from different disciplinary fields. The complex set of information implements a detailed knowledge plan conceived as a vulnerable risk map. Landscape and visual perceptions of the surrounding environment are also considered. The complex mosaic of interdisciplinary knowledge has been the basis for the proposal of effective policies for protection in order to forecast, guide and control possible transformative scenarios. Contemporarily, the management plan includes some strategic actions for the fruition and enhancement of the walled perimeter, such as new touristic paths or entertainment and sporting areas. Criteria and methodology resulting from this article seem to be easily applicable to other contexts, especially in the Mediterranean settlements.

The present research investigates problems related to Mediterranean coastal cities with specific regards to stratified sites, characterized by a relevant cultural heritage associated with an outstanding landscape. This heritage is generally exposed to threats that are typical of coastal environment, such as damage by sea salts, wind erosion, corrosion from pollution, as well as anthropic risks such as urban development, pressure from tourism and vandalism. The case study of the city of Cagliari is particularly relevant in this context because of its strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean. The relationship of the city towards the sea has changed over time, from being a defensive stronghold to becoming an international tourist centre, oriented towards the exploitation of its cultural heritage. This transformation was made by means of a wide expansion outside the walled perimeter and the construction of new hotels. New buildings were constructed using the same brightly coloured materials, following the tradition of the old town. Recently, even the historic town has discovered its touristic potential with the conversion of old residences into small hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation. Risks connected with human and touristic activities seem to be even more dangerous than the degradation caused by natural phenomena. For these reasons, the research highlights the importance, especially for coastal cities, of a multidisciplinary strategic plan and of an integrated tool for monument's preservation and for the monitoring of urban transformation.

The presented work is part of the research project, titled "Tecniche murarie tradizionali: conoscenza per la conservazione ed il miglioramento prestazionale" (Traditional building techniques: from knowledge to conservation and performance improvement). This research project has the purpose of studying the building techniques of the 13^th&amp;ndash;18^th centuries in the Sardinia Region (Italy) for their knowledge, conservation, and promotion. The end purpose of the entire study is to improve the performance of the examined structures. In particular, the task of the authors within the research project was to build a WebGIS to manage the data collected during the examination and study phases. This infrastructure was entirely built using Open Source software. <br><br> The work consisted of designing a database built in PostgreSQL and its spatial extension PostGIS, which allows storing and managing feature geometries and spatial data. The data input is performed via a form built in HTML and PHP. The HTML part is based on Bootstrap, an open tools library for websites and web applications. The implementation of this template used both PHP and Javascript code. The PHP code manages the reading and writing of data to the database, using embedded SQL queries. The database is published on the Internet as a WebGIS built using the Leaflet Javascript open libraries, which allows creating map sites with background maps and navigation, input and query tools. This too uses an interaction of HTML, Javascript, PHP and SQL code. The Database can be accessed in QGIS via a PostgreSQL connection. <br><br> As of today, we surveyed and archived more than 300 buildings, belonging to three main macro categories: fortification architectures, religious architectures, residential architectures.

This study report illustrates the first results of a large-scale interdisciplinary research, currently in progress, carried out on the remarkable Piarist College of San Giuseppe Calasanzio in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy). More specifically, the article focuses on the definition of criteria, standards and tools for the selection and management of the technological and scientific know-how in the knowledge plan, contributions that are becoming increasingly common in the restoration project. The former idea of the scientific programme was to consider the site as a research and teaching laboratory of Architectural conservation. However, the interdisciplinary nature of the studies involved and the exceptional opportunity provided by the site to think more deeply on the complex relationships between the different branches of sciences in the field of Restoration and to define efficient protocols for the planning and management of single multidisciplinary contribution to the preservation and reuse design project were immediately apparent.The report therefore seeks to put forward some cause for reflection and, at the same time, describes the methodology developed for the specific case study, based on the stratigraphic analysis applied to the urban and architectural scale. In fact, the specific character of San Giuseppe College is that of being a wide architecture included in the densely stratified old town. The entire knowledge plan has been conceived as a multilayered stratified knowledge and indirect and on-site analysis required a multidisciplinary team composed, till now, by experts in the field of architectural restoration, history of architecture, survey and geomaterials, but further contributions have been planned in terms of urban analysis, structural efficiency, services and technical performance of manufactures. The tool of the 'Raumbuch', specifically adapted to the purpose, seems to be the best way of managing the spreading knowledge and of cross-checking the flowing information.