The Conservation and Sustainable Development of Architectural and Urban Heritage - Acknowledgement, Protection and New Uses for Military, Modern and Industrial Landscapes

This book offers a rich, cross-disciplinary examination of military, modern, and industrial heritage through fresh perspectives on interpretation, reuse, and technological integration. Structured into five focused sections, it explores strategies for reimagining defensive structures, institutional architecture, and post-industrial landscapes throughout Europe. Case studies range from fortified complexes and decommissioned prisons to socialist-era sports halls and heritage rail stations, revealing the cultural layers and design challenges inherent in their protection and renewal. This book highlights the application of advanced digital methodologies—such as GeoAI mapping, HBIM systems, and cost-effective 3D modelling—to enhance understanding, planning, and stewardship. It also investigates material conservation and the intersection of modern heritage with contemporary energy and sustainability goals. Emphasizing inclusive narratives, socio-cultural relevance, and innovation in practice, this book serves as a vital reference for designers, conservationists, policy-makers, and academics committed to preserving the character and meaning of built environments while adapting them for future needs.

List of contents

Interpretation of the military cultural landscapes of the ICOMOS guidelines on Fortifications and Military Heritage (2021).- The architectural promenade of the walls of Pisa.- Heritage is plural. Recovery and adaptive reuse of the Polveriera Castelfidardo in Ancona.- The SOSLabs Project. An Integrated Approach for the reuse of Historical State-Owned Heritage.- Knowledge and Conservation of Historic Prisons built in fragile territories: the case of the Avalos Complex in Procida.- Military Heritage Conservation and Regeneration: A Categorisation Approach to Identify the Most Challenging Military Heritage Typologies in the UK.- Military Digital Landscapes. An overview of GeoAI methodologies for Built and Landscape Heritage documentation.- Multisource approach in the 3D documentation of an alpine defensive system: the Vallo Alpino in the Gardetta Plateau area (CN).- Use of Low-Cost Spherical Camera for the Cultural Heritage 3D model.- Raumbuch and HBIM: an integrated approach for the redevelopment of the “Palazzo de La Vallée” in Cagliari.- Conservation and restoration in the 21st century. Reflections on the cultural significance, identity, and authenticity of cultural heritage.- The preservation of typological features of asylum architecture: from decommissioning to reuse.- Can Romanian socialist sports halls be historical monuments?.- To bring you the monument itself”. Bogdan Bogdanovi¿’s memorials in Serbia caught between cultural value and denial.- Valorisation of ex-Yugoslav dissonant heritage from transnational perspectives.- Towards the adaptive reuse of town centres buildings at scale in Ireland: Introducing the Trebuchet project.- Modern materials; A legacy from 20th Century Italy.- Preventive Conservation of Concrete University Buildings: A Study of the Conservation Plan for the Vilanova Artigas Building.- An Archaeology of Architecture for the Contemporary Architecture.- Modern Heritage Preservation in the context of Energy Transition. 20th Century School Architecture: a Living Heritage.- THE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE UNDER THE THREAT OF “REUSE”.- Contextually Sensitive Analysis of the Social Sustainability in the Industrial Heritage Quarter Regeneration.- Knowledge for the restoration of industrial-archaeological heritage: the case of the former Garofalo pasta factory in Gragnano (NA).- New Design in Heritage Rail Stations: Balancing Conservation and Modernization.

About the author

Dr. Donatella Rita Fiorino is an associate professor of Restoration at the Department of Civil-Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Cagliari. She is an engineer, Ph.D. in Conservation of Architectural Heritage, and a specialist in the Restoration of Monuments at the Milan Polytechnic, ICOMOS and ICOFORT expert member, a member of the Italian Society for Architectural Conservation/ Restoration (SIRA), a member of the Organizing Committee of the School of Specialization in Architectural Heritage and Landscape, and involved in national PhD boards. Her research focuses on the recognition and analysis of cultural heritage with special attention to vast urban complexes, fortified systems, city walls, industrial areas, and military sites. She is responsible of a collaboration agreement with the Italian Ministry of Defence and is the founder of the “Military Landscapes” international scientific networks. She collaborates with several universities and national and international research Institutions. 

Dr. Tarek Teba is an associate professor in Architectural Heritage in School of Architecture, University of Portsmouth and the Chair for ICOMOS UK Digital Technology National Committee. Tarek is the course leader of MA Architecture: Building and Heritage Conservation and the co-chair of the University of Portsmouth Heritage Research Hub. Tarek’s research concerns the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage through creating the balance between contemporary values via community engagement and historic, aesthetic and cultural values. Tarek explores methodological approaches to preserve the cultural and contemporary social values embedded in heritage assets and cities. He uses community engagement and cultural mapping as an informing tool and a virtual modelling and digital heritage approaches as a vehicle to deliver adaptation and development strategies.

Dr. Elisa Pilia is an assistant professor in the field of Restauration at the Department of Civil-Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Cagliari. She is a conservator of Architectural and Environmental Heritage, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Architecture (in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh—Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies) and a specialist in Architectural and Landscape Heritage (University of Naples Federico II). Also, she is the author of publications on the protection, conservation and enhancement of the historical-architectural heritage, with particular attention to heritage in the state of ruination, the restoration of archaeological monuments and the reuse of military complexes, both nationally and internationally.

Summary

This book offers a rich, cross-disciplinary examination of military, modern, and industrial heritage through fresh perspectives on interpretation, reuse, and technological integration. Structured into five focused sections, it explores strategies for reimagining defensive structures, institutional architecture, and post-industrial landscapes throughout Europe. Case studies range from fortified complexes and decommissioned prisons to socialist-era sports halls and heritage rail stations, revealing the cultural layers and design challenges inherent in their protection and renewal. This book highlights the application of advanced digital methodologies—such as GeoAI mapping, HBIM systems, and cost-effective 3D modelling—to enhance understanding, planning, and stewardship. It also investigates material conservation and the intersection of modern heritage with contemporary energy and sustainability goals. Emphasizing inclusive narratives, socio-cultural relevance, and innovation in practice, this book serves as a vital reference for designers, conservationists, policy-makers, and academics committed to preserving the character and meaning of built environments while adapting them for future needs.

Product details

• Assisted by: Elisa Pilia (Editor), Donatella Rita Fiorino (Editor), Tarek Teba (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer International Publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 24.03.2026
• EAN: 9783032120410
• ISBN: 978-3-032-12041-0
• Illustrations: Approx. 300 p. 90 illus., 45 illus. in color., schwarz-weiss Illustrationen, farbige Illustrationen
• Series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences; Archäologie, Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Preservation, Heritage Management, Industrial archaeology, adaptive reuse, GeoAI, HBIM, Preventive Conservation, Cultural landscapes, Modern Heritage, Heritage Rail Stations, Post-Industrial Regeneration, Typological Preservation, Digital Heritage Tools, Asylum Architecture, State-Owned Assets, Architectural Restoration, Historic Fortifications, Military Heritage