The Multidimensional Evaluation of Cultural Heritage Regeneration Projects: A Proposal for Integrating Level(s) Tool—The Case Study of Villa Vannucchi in San Giorgio a Cremano (Italy)

Abstract

The challenges of sustainable development are mainly concentrated in the cities. Therefore, they represent a key place for implementing strategies and actions to achieve (or not achieve) sustainable development objectives. In this perspective, the circular city model represents a new way of organizing the city. As demonstrated by a variety of best practices, the entry points for triggering circular processes at the urban scale are various. In this paper, cultural heritage is presented as the entry point for the implementation of this new urban development model. The focus here is on the implementation tools, with a particular emphasis on the evaluation tools for assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of this model, that is, the multidimensional benefits that it can produce. The Level(s) tool, proposed by the European Commission in 2017, is the only officially recognised assessment tool related to the circular economy at the European level. It aims to evaluate the performance of new buildings from a circular economy perspective. This paper intends to expand the field of action of the aforementioned tool to projects related to cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the Level(s) tool has some weaknesses in relation to values and attributes that need to be considered when dealing with cultural heritage. This paper proposes an evaluation framework for assessing cultural heritage renovation and reuse projects, considering all its values and the multidimensional impacts that they are able to produce (economic, social, environmental impacts) in the city. The starting point for the development of the proposed evaluation framework is the Level(s) tool by the European Commission. On the basis of critical considerations, this tool is integrated with criteria and indicators deduced from other previous studies and other official tools on this issue (Green Building Council and Heritage Impact Assessment tools). The evaluation framework is here tested to evaluate the renovation/reuse project of Villa Vannucchi, a historic building located in the city of San Giorgio a Cremano in the metropolitan city of Naples (Italy).

Multidimensional Evaluation Framework for Assessing Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse Projects: The Case of the Seminary in Sant’Agata de’ Goti (Italy)

“…They propose adapting the Level(s) indicators introduced by the European Commission [62] to assess the impacts of cultural heritage reuse within a circular economy framework. Additionally, they suggested enhancing the Level(s) tool by integrating ecological, economic, and technological dimensions with the social and cultural ones [6,61]. This study highlights that the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as one of the most commonly employed evaluation tools, capable of assessing diverse impacts, including CO 2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, throughout the entire lifespan of a product [6].…”

“…The indicators proposed in the present study are partly deduced from the SOPHIA indicators [63] and partly from previous studies on multidimensional indicators for the assessment of the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage from the circular economy perspective [64]. The latter aspects are derived from analysis of the scientific literature, official reports, and good practices, also being integrated with internationally recognized assessment tools, such as the Level(s) (in its revised version) [6,61] and the ICOMOS heritage impact assessment [51]. In brief, the proposed set of indicators is deduced from both theoretical studies and empirical evidence.…”

“…Cities stand as crucial focal points for implementing initiatives that accelerate the shift towards sustainable development, mend the strained relationship between human beings and nature, and address contemporary challenges. Various documents have been issued to encourage and support measures aimed at fostering sustainability within cities and communities (i.e., Agenda 2030, New Urban Agenda, Amsterdam Pact, European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, National Resilience and Recovery Plans (NRRPs), New European Bauhaus) [6]. Among the initiatives of the New European Bauhaus [7], the Bauhaus Euroace Villages for the Future Report (2023) [8], published by ICLEI, pointed out that the problem of overcrowding in urban areas could be solved by appropriate regeneration projects in historic villages close to cities.…”

“…Furthermore, in response to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, various European countries have implemented "National Resilience and Recovery Plans (NRRP)" [6]. These plans encompass a range of initiatives, including substantial investments in the overall built heritage and cultural assets, such as cultural buildings, villages, and historic gardens.…”

Artificial Intelligence for Routine Heritage Monitoring and Sustainable Planning of the Conservation of Historic Districts: A Case Study on Fujian Earthen Houses (Tulou)

“…With societal progression and the evolution of preservation philosophies, the modern preservation of historic districts places greater emphasis on sustainable development [20], accentuating the balance between protecting cultural heritage and considering social, economic, and environmental benefits [21].…”