Factors Influencing the Intrinsic Seismic Risk of Open Spaces in Existing Built Environments: A Systematic Review

Martina Russo,Edoardo Currà,Marco Angelosanti,Gabriele Bernardini,Laura Severi,Enrico Quagliarini

doi:10.3390/su14010042

Martina Russo, Edoardo Currà + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010042

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Abstract

Open spaces (OSs), such as streets, squares, and green areas, in existing built environments (BEs) are key places in disaster risk management. The seismic risk in the OSs is strictly related to BE characteristics. Scientific literature mainly focuses on extrinsic factors affecting risk, which are related to BE elements on the OSs frontier (e.g., buildings) that could cause indirect effects on the OSs. Conversely, just a few risk assessment studies consider intrinsic factors, which are related to OS elements that could suffer direct effects. Moreover, synoptic studies on such factors are still missing. Through literature-based research, the paper identifies specific factors influencing seismic risk in the OSs, focusing notably on intrinsic vulnerability. The literature review methodology includes both a systematic review from Scopus databases and a traditional bibliographic search using snowball analysis. According to the final selected papers, risk factors are classified into five categories of OS characteristics: morpho-typology; physical; construction; use and users; and context. Statistical analysis of the categories’ recurrence in the final papers firstly allows current literature gaps to be defined. The results also provide a preliminary OSs risk index weighting each category in terms of such recurrences, thus representing a first useful step to support non-expert stakeholders in a preliminary assessment of priorities to define the seismic risk of Oss.

Highlights

Received: 19 November 2021The existing built environment (BE) plays a key role in each stage of the disaster risk management process [1]
Considering open spaces (OSs) as one of the components influencing the risk in a BE, the present paper addresses the seismic risk assessment in existing OSs in BEs, aiming at defining risk factors for its evaluation related to specific risk factors, e.g., morphology and typology, the geometry of the space, materials and paving, uses and users of the surrounding buildings over time, and accessibility condition
Focusing on the contributions more related to the existing urban context, a similar trend can be noted in the growing rate of publications, but with a different starting point, approximately in the last decade (Stage 2: 291 documents)

Summary

Introduction

Received: 19 November 2021The existing built environment (BE) plays a key role in each stage of the disaster risk management process [1]. The need to reduce urban seismic risk leads to the BE as a system of buildings, infrastructures, and open spaces (OSs) (e.g., roads, parks, and squares) [2]. The well-being of society depends on the services provided by Bes and Oss give communities’ inhabitants character and vitality, providing spaces to gather, rest, and participate in events, increasing social interaction and influencing behavior [3]. Oss correspond to the negative imprint of the building blocks and can be classified into linear spaces (LSs; e.g., streets and promenades) and areal spaces (ASs; e.g., squares, parks, parking areas), bordered by a built or open frontier [4].

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