Architectural heritage of historic Mediterranean ports: a methodology for vulnerability assessment

The vulnerability of the historical maritime heritage is a research theme very widespread, because of the significant impacts of the modern- artificial and natural- world. In facts, on the one hand, technological innovations, transformation of spaces and progressive industrialization lead to obsolescence processes and abandonment of historical built heritage. On the other hand, disasters could represent hazard factors for coastal environment, particularly for architectural and cultural heritage. These issues take on even greater importance in specific exposed areas, such as ports, where transformations and innovations are rapid and, above all, the protection and preservation of historical heritage is critical. The research work aims to analyse Mediterranean historical ports in order to develop a methodology for risk analysis that leads to the identification of strategies and guidelines for refurbishment and enhancement of architectural maritime heritage as well as for integration of the port-city system. The first step of the research has concerned the identification of categories and subcategories of historical port heritage, classified by typology and historical period, in order to understand specific criticalities and characteristics. Specifically, the contribution will discuss and describe critical aspects of the preservation and enhancement of different typology of architectural and historical heritage of ports. Thus, in the view of the identification of hazard factors of port context and, then, of the risk analysis, it will be carried out a process methodology for the assessment of state of conservation and, therefore, vulnerability, considered in its broadest meaning: material-constructive, functional-managerial, and cultural-landscaping.