Reducing seismic vulnerability of public spaces. Guidelines for building facades and non-structural elements in the Reconstruction Plan of Fossa

Fossa is one of the several old towns damaged by the so-called L’Aquila 2009 earthquake. Along with the paper of Carocci and Giuffrè, the present one describes the methodology of its Reconstruction plan. The basic effort of this plan was to respect the quality of the urban fabric, the architectural features and the landscape values of the settlement placed on the sinkhole of Monte Circolo. In relation to these objectives, this research adopted an integrated approach focusing on the reconstruction quality as a means for the enhancement of the historical centre. The decisions taken when drafting the plan implied a thorough knowledge of the town and its remarkable historical environment. The Reconstruction plan included guidelines for preservation, restoration and reconstruction of the building facades and of the fragile components of the urban space. At the same time, a proper assessment of the vulnerability of the non-structural elements was necessary in light of the seismic history of the area. The relevance of these aspects for the safety of the urban spaces was highlighted after the 2009 earthquake. In this respect, the analysis of the traditional constructional techniques and of the state of conservation helped to provide compatible solutions of seismic retrofit and risk mitigation.