The contribution of geoscience to the EC survey on European historic cities

The EC Executive Commission has established a permanent survey for historic cities in Europe. The survey will evaluate the economic and social yield of architectural and archeological restoration and preservation projects, establish basic criteria for decisions regarding the preservation of buildings or their reconstruction and conversion, their being closed for research purposes or rendering them accessible to the public, and indicate the type of use most suited to the characteristics of the landmark.

One aspect of fundamental importance, to which primary consideration should be given in order to correctly evaluate the restoration project and future use, concerns the relationship between the architectural structure and its environment. Three sectors of this aspect are indicated, along with examples, with particular emphasis on geological implications.

(1) Environmental hazards: earth (erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, subsidence etc.); water (floods, seastorms, pollution etc.); air (hurricanes, whirlwinds, pollution etc.); biological factors (deteriorated areas, infestation etc.).

(2) Causes and effects: the study of the environmental factors that have led to the construction and the typology of the architectural landmark; forecasts of the consequences for the environment of the various types of conversion of the historical landmark.

(3) Environment education: informative and educational programs for an integral knowledge of the environment in which the historical city is situated and to promote an environmental consciousness.