Papers by Pasquale De Toro
Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2024
Adaptive reuse of cultural heritage can be a valid strategy to recover heritage buildings in a st... more Adaptive reuse of cultural heritage can be a valid strategy to recover heritage buildings in a state of abandonment or underuse, as well as to implement the circular economy model in cities and regions, contributing to the achievement of climate objectives, to social cohesion, wellbeing and quality of life, making cities more attractive, safe, sustainable and resilient. The aim of this paper is to develop and test an ex-ante evaluation methodology to support participatory decision-making processes for the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage according to the circular economy perspective. A multidimensional and multicriteria evaluation framework was experimented in the city of Salerno, Italy, to assess alternative solutions for the adaptive reuse of four large historic buildings in abandonment, and identify a satisfying solution based on interactions with local stakeholders. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) multi-criteria evaluation method was used to compare adaptive reuse project alternatives including stakeholder objectives and preferences. Starting from 14 adaptive reuse proposals, the participative evaluation methodology supported stakeholders in the identification of 4 preferable solutions further developed and co-designed, as well as in the search of a final satisfying solution engaging diverse stakeholders groups. Moreover, operational circularity criteria for the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage were identified. The results of the study show the potential of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) mixed with participative methods for co-design and co-evaluation to support inclusive decision-making processes for circular adaptive reuse of cultural heritage.
Circular economy and cultural heritage conservation: a proposal for integrating Level(s) evaluation tool, 2021
The paradigm shift towards a more humanistic and ecological paradigm evoked by United Nations and... more The paradigm shift towards a more humanistic and ecological paradigm evoked by United Nations and the Green Deal is increasingly required in this period of growing unsustainability, especially during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge today is to reduce poverty and inequalities, while preserving the vitality of natural ecosystems and ensuring inclusive economic growth and wellbeing, both now and in the future, thus including future generations. To this end, new models for city development and new tools for operationalizing them are necessary. This paper is focused on the circular economy model and, in particular, on the functional reuse of cultural heritage as the entry point for triggering circular processes in the cities. The attention is focused on the evaluation tools and a methodological proposal is presented starting from the Level(s) tool (developed by European Commission) for assessing the multidimensional impacts of cultural heritage functional reuse projects in the circular economy perspective.
The paper presents the results of a research on the impact of the reuse of heritage building. The... more The paper presents the results of a research on the impact of the reuse of heritage building. The aim is to help in selecting the most appropriate design solution among several compatible alternatives. The method integrates AHP and EVAMIX multi-criteria approaches to assess design alternatives capable of maintaining and improving a building's performances while preserving heritage identity. This requires defining the users' needs to be met by the new function assigned to the building and identifying structural and cultural constraints to its transformation. This assessment should allow designers to choose the best reuse project, achieving an optimum balance between conservation and usability. The selected project should offer flexible technological solutions allowing for reuse reversibility, both in terms of future changes of destination and, if need be, to bring the building back to its initial state. This strategy can generate a process that fosters safeguard and effective management of heritage buildings over time.
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Papers by Pasquale De Toro