Preservation Planning As A Tool For ASustainable Historic City

Abstract

In order to plan the preservation of historic complexes, in situ monitoring and control techniques of Environmental Impact Assessment have to be employed and spatial management of information has to be performed. In the present work a pilot application is demonstrated on the historic complex of the Medieval City of Rhodes suffering from the percolation of soluble salt solutions and the crystallization of salts within the porous historic masonries. The results of Non Destructive Methods, and more specifically Infrared Thermography, for the assessment of the humidity distribution within the masonries and the degradation of the stone texture, are supported by the examination of the microstructural characteristics of the stone and the water percolation within the masonry, regarding soluble salts and humidity measurements. It is proved that these methods can be combined into a reliable assessment of the critical levels of environmental factors triggering damage to the monument. A G.I.S (Geographic Information System), could be used to manage a multidisciplinary database, including environmental, functional, materials, structural and social data! Integrated environmental planning can be achieved by the analysis of all the relevant data with the objective of eliminating the negative impact of the natural and man-made environment on the monumental building and the historical complexes as a whole, in order to prevent further damage and to maintain the necessary conservation level, while the historic site and city or complex is revitalised through new uses and its role is strengthened. Integrated management is suggested in terms of: preservation of historic cities as intervention to materials and structures, urban planning and environmental management to eliminate environmental loads for a sustainable historic city, development and rehabilitation of the city places and buildings by the introduction of new uses (cultural and recreational activities and tourism). The Sustainable city, C.A. Brebbia A. Ferrante, M. Rodiguez & B.Terra (Editors) © 2000 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISBN 1-85312-811-2