MACROSESSION A

Chairs:

Bianca Ferrara, Università di Napoli Federico II, bferrara@unina.it

Federico Rausa, Università di Napoli Federico II, unina.rausa@gmail.com

Luigi Cicala, Università di Napoli Federico II, luigi.cicala@unina.it

 

The Digital Revolution and Archeological Heritage: Cities in Transition in the Digital Humanities

Historic city centers represent a very important observation point for the analysis of the formation and stratification of settlement phases. The development of urban archeology in recent decades has provided approaches and methodological solutions for interpreting the life sequences of urban areas, developing analytical tools focused on “multi-periodicity”. The study of urban centers has now shifted towards interdisciplinary research, based on the sharing of knowledge between archeologists, historians, architects, urban planners, and archeometrists.

The increasingly rapid and dynamic development of the Digital Humanities offers new solutions and opportunities for the contribution of archeological analysis of historic city centers. This macro-session aims to explore the relationship between cities in transition and digital technologies, highlighting how these can enhance the archeological analysis of the urban layout, the reconstruction of stratigraphies with long-term perspectives, the identification of continuity or transformation processes, and the interaction between different urban landscapes that have succeeded each other over time.

New tools and information-processing and management data systems allow, through interactive databases, the proposal of predictive models useful for planning interventions with the aim of conservation, restoration or enhancement. Employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make a significant contribution to understanding urban patterns, just as semantics in archeological analysis applied to historic city centers is useful for interpreting the meaning and function of the various entities within complex urban palimpsests.

Amid this perspective, a critical reflection on the ways in which new technologies can promote greater awareness of historic city centers, their diachronic dimension, and new strategies for knowledge generation and dissemination seems crucial. Through case studies and innovative approaches, the themes of this macro-session aim to show how technology can become an additional tool for safeguarding and enhancing urban heritage, contributing to a sustainable and inclusive vision of cities in transition.

The three sessions will therefore address aspects of the relationship between archeology, historic centers and digital humanities, with a particular focus on the latest technological and methodological resources, the relationship between multi-layered settlements and material culture, and the role that the memory of the ancient has played in the development of urban contexts.

 

 

Session A.1

Chairs:

Teresa Tescione, Università di Napoli Federico II, teresa.tescione@unina.it

Gervasio Illiano, Università di Napoli Federico II, gervasioilliano@outlook.it

 

Digital Technologies for Knowledge, Enhancement and Preservation of Historical City Centers: A New Paradigm for Archeology

The integration of digital technologies into the study of urban centers offers new and broad opportunities for the analysis, understanding, enhancement and preservation of cultural heritage. Techniques such as remote sensing, photogrammetry, geographic information systems (GIS), 3D modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and augmented reality permit the creation of new types of digital archives characterized by a high level of detail and versatility, essential for documenting the different layers of stratigraphic sequences in historic city centers. The use of data mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens new perspectives within the analysis of archeological data and the enhancement of historical and archeological heritage. The application of digital humanities and semantic techniques allows for a more sophisticated analysis of archeological sources, improving access to and interpretation of information, as well as improving the overall process of knowledge acquisition. This multidisciplinary approach not only supports the preservation of heritage and the enhancement of invisible evidence, but also promotes a more interactive and engaging experience of historic city centers, transforming them into digital resources accessible to a broad community of scholars and citizens.

The session therefore aims to discuss experiences, experiments, methodological proposals, case studies and research programs in contexts of different scales (historic city centers, architectural structures, building stratigraphies, etc.) that can enrich the debate on these new resources and opportunities.

 

 

Session A.2

Chairs:

Teresa Tescione, Università di Napoli Federico II, teresa.tescione@unina.it

Gervasio Illiano, Università di Napoli Federico II, gervasioilliano@outlook.it

 

Archeology of Urban Landscapes and Material Culture in the Study of Historic City Centers: The Contribution of Digital Humanities

The archeology of urban landscapes has provided new stimuli and tools for the study of historic city centers, emerging as a distinct lens for analyzing the transformations and continuities of settlements over time. The relationship between the environment and settlement dynamics is also a key aspect of understanding the development of urban city centers: climate change, coastline variations, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions have all influenced the topography of ancient cities and the social and economic dynamics within them. The study of stratigraphic sequences can reveal many of the responses of communities to environmental challenges and the resulting transformations.

The Digital Humanities, through tools such as GIS, LIDAR, etc., have revolutionized archeological research, allowing for a more detailed reconstruction of urban stratifications and their evolution over time. Technologies such as laser scanning, 3D modeling, and non-invasive surveys offer new possibilities for documenting archeological sites and assisting in their conservation, thus promoting more effective protection of cultural heritage. The contribution of these new technologies can also be a valuable resource in the study of archeological evidence, from the remains of public and private buildings to infrastructure, in relation to the activities, uses, and functions of inhabited spaces. In this sense, the archeology of production provides essential data for the analysis of the material culture and productive systems of ancient cities, helping to outline a complex framework of economic and social interactions.

Therefore, the session aims to discuss case studies that allow the analysis of the transformations of historic city centers through archeological documentation (stratigraphic contexts, architectural complexes, material culture, etc.) analyzed with the support of Digital Humanities.

 

 

Session A.3

Chairs:

Antonia Di Tuccio, Università di Napoli Federico II, antoniadituccio@unina.it

Marina Guarente, Università di Napoli Federico II, marianna.guadente@unina.it

 

Dialogues with Antiquity: Archeology, Memory, Urban Development, and Digital Humanities

In cities where significant archeological remains are present, the evolution of the urban layout has often been in a constant dialogue with antiquity, making archeology one of the key foundations for the redefinition of historic city centres. In particular, in cities such as Rome, excavations and sterri have been fundamental prerequisites for any construction project since the Renaissance. In addition to facilitating the discovery of important ancient remains, these activities have also encouraged reflection on the relationship between cities and their historical memory. Rediscovered and reinterpreted in ever-changing contexts, archeological remains have not only been objects of study, but also of destruction, conservation, restoration, and reuse, significantly shaping urban morphology and identity.

Today, the Digital Humanities provide essential tools for analyzing the presence of archeological remains and reconstructing the ways in which they have been integrated (or not) into the urban layout of modern cities. By digitizing and annotating historical maps and plans, excavation reports, and archival documents, it is possible to overlay different temporal layers, trace the diachronic evolution of spaces, and integrate data from different sources into interactive and networked environments. Technologies such as augmented reality allow for the virtual exploration of these transformations, enhancing both their study and public dissemination.

Using a highly interdisciplinary approach that combines traditional and innovative methodologies, this session aims to deepen the analysis of the phenomenon of historical stratification in cities, questioning the role that archeology and the memory of antiquity have played in shaping the morphology and identity of European urban centers.

 

 

 

MACROSESSION B

Chairs:

Annunziata Berrino, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, annunziata.berrino@unina.it

Antonella Ambrosio, Università di Napoli Federico II, antonella.ambrosio@unina.it

 

The City Through the Centuries: Text, Image, and Urban Space in the Digital Age

Cities, in their many historical, architectural, and social dimensions, have always been sites of transformation and innovation. From medieval urban development to the radical metamorphoses of the contemporary era, urban spaces have reflected the political, economic, and cultural dynamics of the societies that inhabited them. Today, the integration of Digital Humanities into historical research offers innovative tools to analyze and interpret these evolutions, enabling new perspectives on the city through the study of texts, images, maps, and georeferenced data.

The sessions will explore the role of digital technologies in the study of the city: from representations of urban space between the Middle Ages and the modern era, to the use of Digital Humanities in mapping and understanding the transformations of pre-modern settlements. Particular attention will also be given to the contribution of digital tools in analyzing contemporary cities, highlighting how innovative methodologies can support the study of urban crises, historical memory, and sustainability strategies.

Through the exchange between different disciplines and methodologies, this Macro-Session aims to stimulate a reflection on cities as ever-evolving entities, whose understanding requires a multidisciplinary and technologically advanced approach.

 

 

Session B.1

Chair:

Antonella Ambrosio, Università di Napoli Federico II, antonella.ambrosio@unina.it

 

Urban Sources and Digital Methods: Interdisciplinary Pathways from the Middle Ages to the Contemporary Era

This session aims to foster dialogue on innovative approaches to the historical sources of the study of cities and their representations through the methodological lens of the Digital Humanities, in order to better understand urban space across the centuries. In particular, it will focus on a variety of digital methods, including advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computer Vision, and the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF), as well as on a wide range of computational models applicable to textual and iconographic sources related to the city.

The session welcomes proposals addressing the following topics:

1. Text, Image, and Urban Space in Digital Humanities

Papers analyzing the relationship between text, image, and urban space through digital methodologies applied to written and visual sources. Proposals may explore the construction of urban space through administrative, cadastral, notarial, and iconographic documents, with a focus on the role of text and image in representing and interpreting the city. Contributions on digitization, digital scholarly editing, and computational analysis of urban sources—particularly those involving transcription, encoding, and semantic indexing models—are also welcome.

2. GIS and Textual Sources for Historical Urban Mapping

Proposals integrating textual sources and GIS tools for historical georeferencing and the reconstruction of urban transformations over time. These may include analyses of spatial perception based on engravings, cartographic materials, and texts from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, as well as research based on textual corpora and data mining techniques for interpreting urban sources.

3. Computer Vision and Automated Source Analysis

Contributions employing computer vision and other computational methods for the automated analysis of historical texts and images. Topics may include the use of advanced OCR and Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) for printed and manuscript documents, image recognition and layout analysis for segmenting maps and complex documents, and deep learning models for identifying toponyms, symbols, and urban structures

 

 

Session B.2

Chairs:

Diego Carnevale, Università di Napoli Federico II, diego.carnevale@unina.it

Francesco Storti, Università di Napoli Federico II, francesco.storti@unina.it

Piero Ventura, Università di Napoli Federico II, piero.ventura@unina.it

 

Transformations, Innovations, Traces, and Reuse in Urban Spaces of the Old Regime (12th–19th Centuries)

In the long duration of processes involving change, innovation, and exchanges characteristic of the urban dimension, the medieval period holds a prominent place. This was a crucial phase for the founding, birth, realization, and/or transformation of cities — their topography and structure were conceived and progressively shaped by the powers that developed and defined themselves within these urban spaces, as well as by their internal political and social dynamics, and the ongoing conflicts that were constantly ignited within city walls.

An urbanized feudal class sought to establish significant contacts and relations with the surrounding countryside. Meanwhile, the urban patriciate, stemming from either ancient or more recent rural lordly roots, rising productive classes, craft guilds, popular organizations, and ecclesiastical institutions intertwined and overlapped. This constant interaction shaped and modified the urban fabric in a process that never ceased. Despite this continual change, all these diverse groups exhibited a remarkable tendency to foster cultural mimicry, while also establishing public venues and welfare institutions (such as confraternities and hospitals) that embodied their power and authority.

On the other hand, the magnetic appeal of cities, along with the emergence of an increasingly open and cross-cutting market starting in the 12th century, drew in external skills from foreign merchants and artisans. This dynamic created urban spaces in medieval cities (carved out, overlaid, or placed alongside existing areas) to accommodate these external groups that gradually integrated into the local environment. The resulting urban landscape was dynamic and richly diverse, composed of structures (walls, towers, communal spaces, bridges, ports, public palaces, and seats of power) and cultures that interacted, overlapped, and frequently clashed. Ancient noble families and emerging ethnic minorities formed a complex web of intimate yet diverse interactions, which remains far from being fully understood.

In addition to this medieval phase of European urbanization, it is crucial to consider the transformative dynamics of cities during the early modern period. This period witnessed the construction of new works and infrastructure to address demographic growth and defensive needs. Following the principles of bastioned architecture, cities expanded their defensive walls and implemented improved water supply and food provisioning systems.

Especially in the case of capital cities — whose roles and functions strengthened and diversified in connection with the development of various forms of statehood — institutional headquarters multiplied, and diverse building types emerged, increasingly reinforcing the image of cities as substantial real estate markets.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the progressive demolition of city walls took place, aligning with broader changes in architectural and urban planning practices. These changes aimed to improve transportation connections within cities and between urban centers as part of increasingly dense urban networks.

One key concept for understanding the circumstances, significance, and characteristics of urban transition — as well as for documenting this evolution — is the notion of traces. This concept invites reflection on the remnants of past structures, including old and new ruins, and the potential reuse of abandoned infrastructure or buildings that had lost their original function.

For this micro-session on the city of the Old Regime, contributors are invited to present case studies conducted using Digital Humanities techniques to explore these themes.

 

 

Session B.3

Chairs:

Annunziata Berrino, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, annunziata.berrino@unina.it

Giovanna Cigliano, Università di Napoli Federico II, giovanna.cigliano@unina.it

 

Cities in the Contemporary Era: Analyzing Transformations with the Aid of Digital Tools

In the context of Contemporary History, reflection on cities in transition is crucial for analyzing the profound transformations urban areas have undergone since the second half of the 19th century. This period, marked by the acceleration of modernity, saw cities becoming nerve centers for economic development, technological innovation, and social change, but also places of environmental crises, inequality, and conflict.

Contemporary History allows us to place today’s urban challenges in a long-term historical perspective, shedding light on the dynamics of continuity and rupture that have shaped the relationship between urban policies, social fabric, and the environment. From the industrialization and urbanization processes of the 19th century to the devastation and reconstruction after the wars of the 20th century, to today’s climate and demographic emergencies, cities have been living palimpsests, mirrors of the tensions and hopes of human societies.

The contemporary lens proves indispensable for understanding how major global changes, from the industrial revolution to globalization, from the energy crisis to current sustainability movements, have influenced the structure and image of historic cities, shaping both their identity and their vulnerabilities.

The use of Digital Humanities in the field of Contemporary History provides innovative tools for mapping and analyzing these transformations: from 3D reconstructions of destroyed cities to georeferenced databases tracking the evolution of urban infrastructures, to the digital preservation of archives and collective memories. These tools not only help preserve the past but also inform future policies, contributing to the creation of more resilient cities that are conscious of their historical roots.

The coordinators of this session invite scholars in Contemporary History to reflect on how political, environmental, and economic decisions have impacted the fate of cities, and how knowledge of the past, supported by digital technologies, can guide historic cities towards a more sustainable future.

 

 

Session B.4

Chairs:

Matteo Borriello, Università degli studi Suor Orsola Benincasa di Napoli, matteo.borriello@unisob.na.it

Maddalena Chimisso, Università degli studi del Molise, maddalena.chimisso@unimol.it

Roberto Parisi, Università degli studi del Molise, roberto.parisi@unimol.it

 

Open Access Digital Archives for the History of the City and the Territory

The Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities (2003) and the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science (2021), both of which have been adopted by the Italian National Research Program 2021-2027 through the Italian National Plan for Open Science (2021), emphasize the importance of Open Access (OA) procedures in supporting open science.

The fundamental principle of open science is the enhancement of scientific collaboration and the dissemination of information, which in turn fuels processes of knowledge creation and sharing «aux acteurs de la societé au-delà de la communauté scientifique traditionelle» [UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, 2021, p. 8]. A further key tenet of open science is the multilingual accessibility of scientific knowledge for all members of society, without restriction or cost.

In accordance with these principles, there are various Open Access Digital Archives available for the study and understanding of the city and its history, the investigation of its transformations, and the narration and preservation of its memory. The extensive array of documentary heritage held and made directly accessible online by these specific archives enables the study of the city through a variety of sources (documentary, statistical, iconographic, cartographic), supporting multiple disciplinary approaches.

The aim of this session is to provide a context for the discussion of case studies of digital archival projects, databases, and web portals, both nationally and internationally. These case studies will be examined as tools for research and knowledge of the territory and urban centers in the modern and contemporary age.

 

 

Session B.5

Chairs:

Anna Tylusińska-Kowalska, Università di Varsavia, atylusinska@uw.edu.pl

Andrea De Carlo, Università di Napoli L’Orientale, afdecarlo@unior.it

Piotr Podemski, Università di Varsavia, p.podemski@uw.edu.pl

 

Cities in Search of Value: Post-Communist New Europe Between Past and Future

Eastern European cities today find themselves in a state of suspended transition, caught between the ruins of state socialism and the often-unfulfilled promises of neoliberal and digital modernity. This session aims to explore the plural destinies of post-communist cities, in search of new urban narratives, shared memories, and models of inclusive and sustainable development. Guided by the idea that the city is both a microcosm and a metaphor, following the literary and philosophical vision of Claudio Magris, the proposed contributions will examine how urban fabrics become stages for historical and cultural stratifications, conflicting memories, and tensions between modernization and authenticity. A unifying thread will be the concept of dissonant heritage: monumental spaces emptied of meaning, ideological architectures that survived the regime, symbols contested between oblivion and nostalgia. The cities “in search of value” are thus also cities in search of an author, i.e. suspended between the forced coexistence of fragmented memories and the possibility of a new symbolic citizenship. The session welcomes interdisciplinary approaches from political, social and cultural studies, anthropology, history, architecture, and literature. Special attention will be given to case studies from regions located between the Adriatic, the Baltic, and the Black Sea.

 

 

Session B.6

Chair:

Isabella Valente, Università di Napoli Federico II, isabella.valente@unina.it

 

Representing, rethinking, reconstructing Naples and its surroundings. Visual arts, collective memory and new technologies

This panel explores Naples and its surrounding areas as a locus for re-evaluating the relation between urban image, cultural heritage and collective memory, from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. The aim is to investigate the evolution of the urban fabric through the crucial role played by institutions and local exhibitions – the Società Promotrice di Belle Arti in the nineteenth century and the Sindacato fascista di Belle Arti in the twentieth century –, as well as private collections and public galleries. Furthermore, this session invites scholars to consider the role of photography and cinema, which have always focused on the city and its urban and social transformations, through several campaigns carried out to document Naples after the Second World War, which have been rediscovered thanks to online  documentary and audiovisual archives.

Engaging with the new perspectives offered by digital technologies it is possible to analyse these resources by undertaking processes of reconstruction, cataloguing and virtual restoration of the city and its cultural heritage.

This leads to think about how the alterations of the city – in its architectural appearance and urban fabric, in its monuments, natural and archaeological sites, collections and visual archives – can become a space of identity negotiation and can now be narrated through new digital tools. The guiding theme of this panel is the tension between historical memory and digital innovation, loss and recovery, documentary images and symbolic representation.

 

 

MACROSESSION C

Chairs:

Alfredo Buccaro, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, buccaro@unina.it

Salvatore Di Liello, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, sadiliel@unina.it

 

Structure and Image of the Historic City: New Tools for Reading Traces and ‘Transitions’

The study of the structure and image of the city, carried out using the most advanced tools currently available in the field of urban historiography, represents an essential means of understanding the phases of formation and transformation of historic centers, with a view to their restoration and enhancement. The new technologies adopted within the framework of the Digital Humanities, specifically aimed at urban history, enable an accurate reading of even the most complex urban palimpsests and offer valuable opportunities for the investigation of memory and identity in historic settlements.

This Macro-Session aims to encourage proposals focused on the comparison of methods and techniques of historical urban analysis, with the goal of identifying the design and evolution of both European and non-European cities from antiquity to the contemporary age.

Proposals are especially welcome for sessions that present a broad spectrum of source types, their interpretation and use in urban historiography, data archiving methodologies for alphanumeric information as well as graphic and photographic materials, the development of databases, and systems for the digital acquisition and processing of historical iconography and cartography. These tools are fundamental for georeferencing and for the creation and overlapping of thematic layers.

 

 

Session C.1

Chairs:

Caroline Bruzelius, Duke University, Durham (N.C.), c.bruzelius@duke.edu

Sarah Kozlowski, The University of Texas at Dallas, Center for the Art and Architectural History of Port Cities “La Capraia”, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, sarah.kozlowski@utdallas.edu

Paola Vitolo, Università di Napoli Federico II, paola.vitolo@unina.it

 

The Middle Ages and Digital Humanities: Understanding the Past, Narrating the Present

It was during the Middle Ages that many urban centers, monumental complexes, communities, and institutional entities took physical shape in the built environment. However, over the course of time, campaigns of restoration, reconstruction, and reuse have transformed this material heritage, reconfiguring and repurposing spaces, reshaping decorative and iconographic programs, and reorienting relationships between monuments and surrounding urban and natural landscapes. In this process, material traces of the past are sometimes erased altogether, and sometimes “absorbed” into the physical evolution of the built environment, forming part of the rich and complex stratigraphy of our historic centers. In both cases, it can be challenging to interpret the surviving physical and documentary evidence, and even more challenging to narrate such complex histories of the material past. In recent decades, art historians have used digital technologies in various ways and on a range of scales to understand and reconstruct the earlier forms of monuments and the built environment, whether extant or lost, as well as to communicate the material past in ways that are intuitive, effective, and scientifically grounded. This work has allowed scholars to test and refine working hypotheses; at the same time, it has allowed communities to reengage with significant aspects of their own cultural memory and identity.

Taking as a point of departure their experience leading The Medieval Kingdom of Sicily Image Database, the chairs of this session aim to bring together for discussion projects in the field of art history that use digital technologies to document, interpret, and/or reconstruct medieval monuments and sites. The chairs welcome presentations on projects that represent a range of geographies (including Italy, Europe, and the Mediterranean), art historical problems, and methodological approaches, and that shed light on projects’ scopes, working methods, technologies, and strategies for communicating research and engaging audiences.

 

 

Session C.2

Chairs:

Alfredo Buccaro, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, buccaro@unina.it

Margherita Melani, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, Fondazione Rossana e Carlo Pedretti, margheritamelani@gmail.com

Riccardo Maria Polidoro, Università di Bari Aldo Moro, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, r.polidoro@phd.uniba.it

 

From Drawings to Cities: The Transition from the ‘Ideal’ to the Real City between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Centuries through Digital Cartographic Investigation

This Session will explore how the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci and of the engineer-architects active between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries – expressed through drawings and writings – shaped urban planning methodologies throughout the modern era.

The scientific and technical vision of Leonardo, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, and their successors had a lasting impact on construction practices, including those of an urban nature, influencing not only their own time but also successive generations of architects and engineers.

This Session specifically aims to analyze, with graphic sources, modeling techniques, and other digital tools, how these ideas were transmitted and adopted in the emerging urban contexts of early modern Europe.

Proposals should examine various aspects of the influence of Leonardo’s vision and the work of sixteenth-century professionals on the historic city as it has been passed down to the present day. Studies that investigate how the new architectural and engineering thinking of the Renaissance influenced the design and transformation of cities between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries are encouraged, especially those that highlight the connections between designers and patrons.

Contributions may also include reflections on the role this legacy has played in contemporary urban transformations.

A fundamental aspect of the Session will be the exploration of the potential offered by Digital Humanities methodologies in analyzing and reconstructing historic urban layouts. In this regard, contributions making use of digital tools and techniques such as 3D modeling, digitization, metadata structuring, GIS systems, and Linked Open Data are particularly welcome.

 

 

Session C.3

Chairs:

Emma Maglio, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, emma.maglio@unina.it

Alessandra Veropalumbo, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, alessandra.veropalumbo@unina.it

 

The Mark of City Walls in Viceroyal Cities in Transition

In 1916 the Bohemian art historian Max Dvořák identified the demolition of European city walls at the beginning of the contemporary era as the origin of the “transfiguration of cities” (Katechismus der Denkmalpflege, Wien 1916). The dismantling of walls was justified by the pursuit of modernity and the need to facilitate commerce and expand the inhabited space. The Session intends to focus on the urban fortifications built in the territories of the Spanish viceroyalty (1503-1707) which, once their defensive function had been fulfilled, became a limit to urban expansion or, vice versa, an element of the identity of cities.

The Session will welcome contributions investigating the material or symbolic permanence of urban walls as traces of an older transition, that of the art of fortification which took place in the early modern period thanks to the action and circulation of planners and experts in the broader Euro-Mediterranean context. The topic of the conference will thus be examined through multiple lenses – from the transformations of the urban fabric to the new uses of spaces, from the changing perception of places to the memory of historical identity – using iconographic sources and the tools of Digital Humanities.

 

 

Session C.4

Chairs:

Danila Jacazzi, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli danila.jacazzi@unicampania.it

Riccardo Serraglio, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli riccardo.serraglio@unicampania.it

 

Urban Transitions in the Age of Enlightenment: The Use of Digital Resources in the Hermeneutics of Historical Sources

At the present, the current use in the humanities of digital resources enables scholars to work on a quantity and variety of information that previously it was  difficult to colect in a short time. As regards the discipline of urban history, the on-line consultation of archives, databases, documentary and iconographic collections, opens new scenarios in the exegesis of sources. This must be considered as a preliminary step and indispensable towards fulfilling studies in the hermeneutics of historical phenomena.

In this direction, the session proposes to focus the attention of scholars on urban transitions in the Age of the Enlightenment. In fact, epochal changes, political and social, produced multiple and polymorphic projects of urban regeneration during the eighteenth century. In different contexts, chronological, cultural and geographical, the opportunity to reconfigure the layout of major cities according to new criteria of aesthetic decorum, functionality and hygiene of the built environment, it was perceived by governors and intellectuals as their main goal. As a result, the architects of the time, supported by a high level cutural debate, they were called upon to imagine the form and organize the functions of contemporary society drawing up renewal plans of obsolete urban systems, new expansion districts and founding cities.

As is known, a number of interventions of urban embellishment, reconstruction after catastrophic events, design of new centers, they may be described as moments of primary importance in long-term processes of urban and territorial regeneration that became concrete during the eighteenth century. The widespread use of advanced computer tools, particularly of surveying and 3D modeling softwares, can accelerate the development of researchs, both in the case of unpublished contributions and in proposals for reinterpretation of known cases.

 

 

Session C.5

Chairs:

Juan Manuel Monterroso Montero, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, juanmanuel.monterroso@usc.es

Carla Fernández Martínez, Universidad de Oviedo, fernandezcarla@uniovi.es

 

Digital Cities: Resources for the Analysis of Urban Transformations

Cities, understood as living organisms in which traces of the past persist and shape their identity and memory, have undergone numerous changes throughout their history. Often, these transformations are the result of processes of social and political transition to which populations are subjected, especially in contemporary times. These changes, as well as those associated with administrative decisions, new urban planning strategies, preservation measures, and more, can be analyzed through archives and documentary and journalistic repositories. These sources introduce us to a digital universe and allow us to move between the city of the past, the present city, and a new digital city.

With this in mind, the aim of this session is to offer a space for interdisciplinary debate based on studies and reflections addressing some of the following themes: the importance of digital archives as a resource for studying cities in transition between political systems; the value of documentary repositories as tools for urban analysis in times of change; the relevance of digital newspaper and photo archives for understanding urban digital memory; and, finally, the emergence of digital cities as a preliminary phase of smart cities.

 

 

Session C.6

Chairs:

Francesca Capano, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, francesca.capano@unina.it

Salvatore Di Liello Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, sadiliel@unina.it

 

Urban ‘Visions’ in the Age of Transition

In the extensive iconographic and textual production on cities, some particular ‘visions’ belong to a more limited repertoire of documents that, more than others, appear symptomatic of transitions in progress. ‘Visions’ that surface in the dual declension of physical reality and its reflected image in perception, returned by cultures as well as by individual authors, architects, painters and, more generally, travelers and academics. Such images or narratives describe phenomena of ongoing transitions, conveying these processes in Europe, far beyond, then, the cultural contexts of production.

Comparing cross-readings, the session welcomes studies and reflections on the transition of the city, or relevant parts of it, drawing on modern-age documentation, which can be reinterpreted thanks to the opportunities offered today by the Digital Humanities.

 

 

Session C.7

Chairs:

Diego Carnevale, Università di Napoli Federico II, diego.carnevale@unina.it

Iolanda Donnarumma, Università del Molise, iolanda.donnarumma@unimol.it

Massimo Visone, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, massimo.visone@unina.it

 

Reading Landscape in the Making

The session welcomes contributions in which territories of urban expansion, both those consolidated in historical centres and those in the contemporary city, are investigated in a focused and original manner, which still present visible material or immaterial evidence of a transition from a political, economic and cultural system and which represent constituent elements of a landscape too long distracted by historiography.

Sources such as cartography, vedutism, literature and archive documents are preferred, as well as toponymy, photography, cinematography and the scientific interpretation of orographic, archaeological and architectural persistences. Candidates are invited to develop the theme not only from a descriptive, but also from an analytical, critical and interdisciplinary point of view or through the exemplification of case studies or protection projects that may have generated or could address research, preservation and valorisation projects.

 

 

Session C.8

Chairs:

Alfredo Buccaro, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, buccaro@unina.it

Mirella Izzo, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, mirella.izzo@unina.it

 

From Paper to Pixel: Digital Innovations in the Presevation and Processing of Sources for Urban History

The digitization of paper sources, both documentary and cartographic, represents a fundamental step in the conservation, analysis and dissemination of knowledge of urban history. This process makes use of constantly evolving hardware and software technologies, which make it possible to transform manuscript texts and cartographic documents into digital resources that are accessible and searchable.

From a technological point of view, the choice of scanning hardware significantly affects the quality and reliability of the digitized data. Existing acquisition tools offer different approaches to preserving original sources, minimizing the risk of damage and improving the accuracy of digital reproduction. The choice of the device and its settings (resolution, lighting, post-processing methods) directly affects the quality of the data and its usability in the subsequent stages of analysis.. From a software point of view, advanced tools such as Transkribus, Chatgpt and other text recognition platforms are revolutionizing the field of transcribing the interpretation of ancient and modern documents. These tools facilitate the automatic extraction of data and the creation of searchable databases, opening new perspectives for historical and archival research with reference to the evolution and image of the city over time. A particular level of complexity emerges in the digitisation of maps and historical maps. The scanning phase may introduce digital distortions and ‘noise’ that compromise subsequent georeferencing in GIS environment. Tools such as MapAnalyst allow you to refine post-production by reducing systematic errors and improving spatial accuracy of data.

This session aims to explore the challenges and opportunities offered by the digitisation of paper sources, analysing case studies and experiments which highlight the potential and limitations of current technologies, from scanning to digitised data. The objective is to promote an interdisciplinary debate among experts in the field to identify best practices and develop shared strategies for the exploitation of documentary and cartographic heritage through the Digital Humanities.

 

 

Session C.9

Chairs:

Chiara Capulli, Bibliotheca Hertziana-Max Planck Institute for Art History, Chiara.Capulli@biblhertz.it

Alessio Ciannarella, Bibliotheca Hertziana-Max Planck Institute for Art History, Alessio.Ciannarella@biblhertz.it

Mapping Absence: Lacunae, Historical Guidebooks, and the Digital Reconstruction of Lost Urban Heritage In urban history, the city is often approached as a palimpsest: a material record of successive transformations, losses, and erasures. Yet, what of those structures and spaces that have vanished entirely, leaving only indirect traces? Recent theoretical work on ruins as both process and result – “organised decay” that materializes absence while provoking memory and imagination (Klein and Winckler 2022)—invites us to interrogate how we reconstruct the absent, the demolished, and the lost within urban space. This session brings together the study of urban lacunae (gaps, losses, and voids) and the critical use of narrative sources and guidebooks, foregrounding the methodological and epistemological challenges of reconstructing an invisible city. Sources such as early modern guidebooks and censuses present both opportunities and risks: allowing us to geo-reference and digitally reassemble now-vanished buildings, spaces and communities, but always with a degree of ambiguity and productive uncertainty. We invite contributions that grapple with these tensions—case studies, theoretical reflections, or digital experiments engaging with the absent city, the fragment, and the unknowable. Topics may include: • Digital mapping of vanished sites/buildings using historical guidebooks or travel literature; • Case studies of lost monuments reconstructed through textual sources; • The role of guidebooks in preserving the memory of destroyed or displaced sites; • Digital methodologies for annotating and visualizing lacunae in urban history; • The epistemology and affective impact of absence in urban identity and memory.

 

 

Session C.10

Chairs:

Manuel Joaquim Moreira da Rocha, Universidade do Porto, mrocha@letras.up.pt

Maria de Lurdes Craveiro, Universidade de Coimbra, mlacraveiro@gmail.com

Bruno Marques, Universidade Lusíada Norte – Porto, arqbrunomarques@gmail.com

 

Disappeared and Transforming Cities

This session proposes an interdisciplinary debate centred on the ways in which forgetting, disappearance, and transformation shape the understanding of the historic city – in its material structures, symbolic representations, and its presence (or absence) in the construction of collective memory. Anchored in the field of Architectural History, the proposal invites critical analysis of urban phenomena that have been rendered invisible, fragmented or erased – whether through physical destruction, functional reconfiguration, abandonment, reversal, or exclusion from dominant heritage narratives. The disappearance of architectural ensembles, the distortion of urban morphologies, or the systematic neglect of certain territories compel us to critically reassess processes of heritage recognition and the responsibilities of historiographical research. The session welcomes proposals that explore methods of identifying, documenting, reinterpreting, and revaluing these contexts, through the integration of Digital Humanities and traditional methodologies in Art History, Urban Archaeology, Urbanism, and Architecture. Particular emphasis will be given to approaches that combine conventional methods – such as archival and iconographic survey, morphological and stylistic analysis, and the study of textual and cartographic sources – with emerging digital tools, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 3D modelling, augmented reality, relational databases, and data mining and visualisation. We encourage contributions that present case studies, theoretical proposals, or ongoing research addressing the following themes:

• Digital reconstruction of lost architectures or urban forms;
• Analysis of neighbourhoods or buildings forgotten or excluded from heritage narratives;
• Study of urban palimpsests through the cross-reading of material traces and visual sources;
• Representation and communication of urban memory through interactive digital environments;
• Integration of historiographical research and digital technologies in the study of cities in transition.

Through a critical and interdisciplinary approach, this session seeks to reflect on how to reactivate the urban past that resists physical evidence, and how digital methodologies can contribute to re-signifying absences, expanding heritage narratives, and reconstructing and debating the historical complexity of the city.

 

 

 

MACROSESSION D

Chairs:

Alessandro Castagnaro, Università di Napoli Federico II, alessandro.castagnaro@unina.it

Andrea Maglio, Università di Napoli Federico II, andrea.maglio@unina.it

Fabio Mangone, Università di Napoli Federico II, fabio.mangone@unina.it

 

Urban and Territorial Transitions: Digital Tools for Architecture and Landscape

The macro-session aims to investigate the contemporary dynamics affecting cities and territories by establishing a dialogue between urban-scale issues, architectural aspects and digital methodologies. From the earliest forms of landscape and historic city protection to the most recent planning policies, urban planning tools have contributed to defining both development guidelines and conservation criteria.

In the current scenario of ongoing political, cultural, and technological transitions, it is essential to reflect on the role of digital tools, such as GIS, interactive cartography, databases, and collaborative platforms, in supporting interdisciplinary analyses and interpretations capable of addressing the complexity of urban and territorial phenomena.

Contributions that explore theoretical approaches, case studies, and innovative methodologies capable of connecting historical analysis with design practices and emerging research perspectives are invited. The macro-session intends to provide an open forum for discussing experiences, results, and critical issues in the governance of contemporary territories, fostering dialogue among architectural historians, urban planners, geographers, conservation experts, and digital technology professionals.

 

 

Session D.1.

Chairs:

Francesca Di Fusco, Università di Napoli Federico II, francesca.difusco@unina.it

Luca Pasquale Marseglia, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli,

lucapasquale.marseglia@unicampania.it

Raffaele Merone, Università di Napoli Federico II, raffaele.merone@unina.it

Riccardo Maria Polidoro, Università di Bari “Aldo Moro”, r.polidoro@phd.uniba.it

 

Constraints and Landscape Transformations: Legislation and Tools to Read the Territory

This Session aims to explore the role of landscape protection constraints as regulatory mechanisms that have, over time, influenced the configuration and management of the territory. Starting from the earliest forms of protection up to the most recent measures, the discussion seeks to reflect on the legislative and design-related consequences that have led to the current configuration of protected landscapes, where conservation and transformation are closely interwoven.

In a context marked by significant processes of cultural and technological renewal, the use of digital tools such as GIS, georeferenced historical cartography, and the methodologies of the Digital Humanities becomes increasingly relevant. These tools enable complex and multiscalar interpretations of both regulatory and territorial developments.

The objective is to stimulate interdisciplinary reflections on the ‘dynamic’ nature of constraints, highlighting not only their protective aspects but also their potential as tools to support the development of strategies for land management and transformation. Contributions that present case studies, methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches capable of connecting legislation, architecture, and landscape transformations are particularly encouraged.

 

 

Session D.2

Chairs:

Alberto Terminio, Università di Napoli Federico II, alberto.terminio@unina.it

Massimo Visone, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, massimo.visone@unina.it

 

Modern, International, Rational. Images of Architecture and Cities in the making

In the early 20th century, three concepts converged in the European debate: modern, international and rational. These are the terms that define a linguistic transition, carried out in the space of a few years and that has directed the mutation of the image of architecture and the city in the western world. It is a period in which different souls intersect tradition, research, experimentation and propaganda, which are reflected in theory, practice, reconstructions and historiography. As has been observed, the architectural historian is a mediator of transition, the guarantor of a transition and the person responsible for the integrity of the message as it moves from creative cipher to creative decipherment (Olmo 2013). In this sense, modern, international and rational have contributed to the definition of an apparently coherent and linear historical narrative.

Among other objectives, the session aims to highlight the emergence of the concept of the modern as a rupture or continuity of inherited models; the theoretical contributions that have substantiated the idea of the international; the national declinations of the principle of rational construction and its influence on the linguistic expressions that have affected urban identity. Contributions supported by iconographic sources that can contextualise the topics in question are preferred.

 

 

Session D.3

Chairs:

Emma Maglio, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, emma.maglio@unina.it

Cristina Mattiucci, Università di Napoli Federico II, cristina.mattiucci@unina.it

 

Urban Voids: Contemporary Perspectives on the Historical City

Urban voids are at the centre of a debate examining the future of cities, as elements of possible transformations, for alternative uses that respond to the new urban question that invests both the social dimension and the landscape and environmental dimension. The abandoned buildings, the traces of ruined, demolished or destroyed edifices, the unbuilt or dismissed areas represent a sort of syncopation in the continuity of the urban fabric and are the traces of long-lasting transformation processes that pose questions to the contemporary city on their use and meaning. These voids are the result of different processes stratified over time and are capable of documenting a history of cities. They therefore become at the same time a potential element of projects and policies for community recovery and urban regeneration, which solicits the challenges of transition.

The Session will welcome interdisciplinary contributions, presenting cases of urban voids (potentially) object of policies and projects of reactivation and reconnection to the city, starting from their investigation through different iconographic sources, from cartography to cinematography. These cases should be discussed by critically identifying aspects related to their origins and the perspectives of their transformation.

 

 

Session D.4

Chairs:

Valeria Pagnini, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, valeria.pagnini@unina.it

Raffaella Russo Spena, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, raffaella.russospena@unina.it

 

The Representation of the Contemporary City: An “Atlas with Shifting Borders”

As Andrea Bajani has recently pointed out, in recent years the relationship with geography and the representation of territory has regained a central role. This renewed focus stems in part from the many upheavals—political, environmental, social—that are increasingly reflected in migration phenomena on multiple scales: between nations and regions, from cities to peripheries and vice versa, and within neighborhoods and urban areas.

The urgency of mapping and analyzing these new territorial configurations—given the inherently “mobile” nature of these processes—requires ongoing dialogue with historical documents and artistic and literary testimonies, which serve as essential tools for preserving memory and for envisioning possible future scenarios.

This session welcomes contributions from various disciplinary fields that explore the transformative processes of the contemporary city related to migration phenomena. Submissions should employ a cross-analysis of different sources—archival, cartographic, literary, artistic, photographic—investigating both the material and immaterial impacts of these processes.

 

 

 

Session D.5

Chairs:

Francesca Capano, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, francesca.capano@unina.it

Giovanni Menna, Università di Napoli Federico II, giovanni.menna@unina.it

 

Photography, Architecture, City: Photographic Archives for the History of Architecture and Territorial Transformations in the 20th Century

The complex and problematic nature of the relationships between architecture and photography has long been the subject of increasing attention from scholars of both disciplines, which, especially in the last two decades, has led to the establishment of a conspicuous cоrpus of studies, which have analyzed various aspects of it, also on the historiographic level since photographic sources have over time increased their relevance in the field of historical studies.

On this front, in particular, the digitization of the photographic documentary material kept in public and private archives is now considered an indispensable and decisive step not only to implement the knowledge we have to reconstruct what were the modes, forms and actors of the complex transformations of the city in Europe and the Western world in the contemporary age, but also for a fine-tuning – if not a revision – of the established interpretative models in the critical reading of those phenomena that also aims at highlighting the limits and contradictions of those transitions.

The objective of this session is, therefore, to bring together studies and research devoted to archives in which photography emerges, from multiple points of view, as a valuable documentary source for investigating the transformations that in the 20th century.

 

 

Session D.6

Chairs:

Alessandro Castagnaro, University of Naples Federico II, alessandro.castagnaro@unina.it

Alberto Terminio, University of Naples Federico II, alberto.terminio@unina.it

 

Ecological Transition and Architectural Historiography: New Pathways in the Contemporary Age

In a renowned lecture delivered in London in 1881, titled Prospects of Architecture in Civilization, William Morris – a key figure at the dawn of the Modern Movement – envisioned architecture in a strikingly contemporary light, extending its meaning to “the whole external environment of human life” and to “the sum of the modifications and alterations introduced upon the earth’s surface in order to satisfy human needs.” This open and inclusive approach, however, did not enjoy widespread critical fortune throughout the 20th century. Despite the emergence of new cultural signals and directions, contemporary architectural historiography has often preferred analytical methods focused on individual buildings, on the exceptional nature of certain figures, and more generally on physical transformations.

The urgency of current environmental and energy issues has recently introduced into historical studies –  including architectural history – new methodologies and a growing attention to areas of knowledge traditionally considered external to the architectural discipline. These perspectives offer, on the one hand, new interpretations of well-known phenomena, and on the other, bring to light previously overlooked events and questions related to design techniques and construction processes.

This session aims to explore the role of environmental and energy-related concerns in the development of architectural and urban phenomena from the Industrial Revolution to the present. In particular, it seeks contributions focused on the analysis of architectural or urban projects – whether built or unbuilt, new or involving existing structures – as well as competitions, construction processes, specific moments in architectural history, and theoretical contributions, in which a renewed attention to these topics has emerged and, in doing so, helped to reshape the architectural debate.

 

 

MACROSESSION E

Chairs:

Antonella Di Luggo, Università di Napoli Federico II, adiluggo@unina.it

Ornella Zerlenga, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, ornella.zerlenga@unicampania.it

 

The Augmented City

From the theoretical concept underlying the construction of the project, to the testimonies of visual culture, up to the recent and unprejudiced applications of digital technologies, the disciplinary field of Drawing wants to question the role that Representation plays in characterising the value of the physical place (city and architecture or architecture and city) that is increasingly emerging as an augmented place/space: every corner of urban spaces is animated by interactive stations, multimedia platforms, QR codes, etc. that generate intertwining and overlapping experiences and amplify the existing by creating new images and new iconographies. The Macrosession thus intends to initiate a debate around the great potential that inevitably occurs from the combination of physical experience, material experience and technology using the most recent survey, representation and communication systems.

 

 

Session E.1

Chairs:

Antonella Di Luggo, Università di Napoli Federico II, adiluggo@unina.it

Ornella Zerlenga, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, ornella.zerlenga@unicampania.it

 

The Narrated City

The Session intends to welcome proposals regarding studies and research conducted on the analysis, treatises and narration that over time and up to the present day have defined the image of architecture and the city: they describe and narrate the transformations and identities that in the unstoppable process of transition accumulate and overlap, creating multiple contents; each content, in turn, requires different ways of narration, responding to the era, the context, the custom, the tradition, the methods, the narrative needs. We therefore welcome reflections on the plurality of visual and narrative languages, analogical and digital, through which architecture and the city can be reinterpreted, including through its most significant places, in terms of graphic re-elaboration, illustration, visuality, communication and fruition of the narratives themselves.

 

 

Session E.2
Chairs:

Daniela Palomba, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, daniela.palomba@unina.it

Maria Ines Pascariello, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, mipascar@unina.it

 

The Exposed City

The Session intends to welcome proposals regarding studies and research on the marks that the process of sudden transition towards the augmented systems of fruition of architecture and the city is currently making in our urban spaces: the result is an image of the city in continuous transformation, which, in visual and perceptive terms, tends more and more towards musealisation. The city exposes itself, through its architecture and spaces, offering new visions in constant and sudden change. Reflections on the processes of architectural and urban musealisation are therefore welcomed, with a focus on knowledge, entertainment, and accessibility, and setting them in the wider phenomenon of augmenting the experience of the city.

 

 

Session E.3
Chairs:

Vincenzo Cirillo, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, vincenzo.cirillo@unicampania.it

Simona Scandurra, Università di Napoli Federico II, simona.scandurra@unina.it

 

The Duplicate City

The Session proposes itself as a space of discussion for studies and research in which contemporary technologies investigate fragments of architecture and the city, generating digital twins able to faithfully reproduce existing or existing spaces, create connections, build a new mosaic of images. We therefore welcome submissions that explore innovative methods and advanced processes for the cognitive analysis of architecture and urban contexts, through surveying, modelling and digital representation tools, as an opportunity to extract a new iconography able to enhance the architectural and urban heritage in a multi-scalar and interdisciplinary dimension.

Lastly, the Session aims to propose reflections on the transformative potential of digital twins: from the documentation of the past to the reinterpretation of contemporary urban space, opening up new avenues for dialogue between technology, architecture and the collective imagination.

 

 

 

MACROSESSION F

Chairs:

Bianca Gioia Marino, Università di Napoli Federico II, bianca.marino@unina.it

Andrea Pane, Università di Napoli Federico II, a.pane@unina.it

Renata Picone, Università di Napoli Federico II, repicone@unina.it

Valentina Russo, Università di Napoli Federico II, valrusso@unina.it

 

Built Heritage, Cities and Historic Landscapes in Transition. Restoration, Transformation, Innovation

The complexity of cities and historic landscapes is today at the core of an interdisciplinary debate, involving fields such as restoration, urban planning, technology, and the social sciences. Ecological transition, climate change, and the challenges of urban regeneration call for a critical reflection on the methods and tools used to conserve the built heritage and shape the future of cities and historical contexts.

This macro-session aims to explore innovative strategies for expanding knowledge, supporting restoration, and adapting built heritage, by investigating how to reconcile the protection of cultural identity with the evolving needs of contemporary society. A central theme is the use of digital technologies and innovation in the field of conservation, with particular focus on tools such as HBIM, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence applied to restoration, which can enhance the understanding and management of data, thereby informing more effective conservation interventions.

The session will also focus on urban and landscape regeneration projects within historical contexts, in order to understand how interventions — from architectural to landscape scale — can improve quality of life without compromising the cultural value of places. In this regard, sustainability is a key dimension of the discussion: increasing attention is being paid to the use of innovative materials, energy-efficiency strategies, and design practices capable of reducing environmental impact while preserving the existing heritage.

 

 

Session F.1

Chairs:

Bianca Gioia Marino, Università di Napoli Federico II bianca.marino@unina.it

Rossella Marena, Università di Napoli Federico II rossella.marena@unina.it

Daniela Pagliarulo, Università di Napoli Federico II daniela.pagliarulo@unina.it

 

Transitions and Representation: Visualizing Change in Cities and Historic Landscapes

Representations of historical contexts have profoundly shaped – and continue to shape – the image of cities and their heritage, influencing both their tangible and intangible dimensions. The ways in which the manifold aspects of historical preexistence have been documented and represented over time – through drawing, photography, film, and digital media – have produced plural narratives that not only inform the understanding of urban space, but also condition its transformation processes, design strategies, and conservation practices.

This session invites transdisciplinary contributions that explore the interplay between visual documentation techniques and their role in the construction of urban memory. Particular attention will be given to the role of representation in transmitting the image of the city and in shaping visions and projects for its transformation. Emphasis will also be placed on the growing impact of Digital Humanities in recording, interpreting, and communicating historical changes. Traditional and contemporary media – from architectural surveys and cartographic visualizations to immersive and interactive digital models – are increasingly being deployed as tools for critical inquiry and as vehicles for new sensibilities toward the stratified nature of historic landscapes.

We welcome papers that critically examine how visual representations – understood as evolving depictions of cities and historical landscapes – have influenced conservation practices and intervention criteria at different scales. Topics may include but are not limited to: the relationship between image and architectural practice; methodologies for visual documentation; the expressive and analytical potential of digital technologies in representing historical environments in transition; and the epistemological and ethical implications of digitization considering recent international heritage charters and policy frameworks.

The session aims to foster a critical reflection on the role of visual representation in both the preservation and transformation of cultural heritage, investigating the tensions and synergies between historical continuity and the demands of contemporary change.

 

 

Session F.2

Chairs:

Gaspare Massimo Ventimiglia, Università di Palermo, gasparemassimo.ventimiglia@unipa.it

Raffaele Amore, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, raffaele.amore@unina.it

 

Restoration and Digital Transition: Diagnostic Investigations for Knowledge, Preservation and Maintenance of Testimonies of the Past.

The relationship between knowledge and conservation has always been at the heart of the discipline of Restoration, and the contribution of instrumental diagnostics to study the testimonies of the past is now considered fundamental in the phases of preliminary recognition, during the conservation site and in the subsequent activities of verification and scheduled maintenance.

The study carried out through the instrumental tests and the successive stages of computer processing of the acquired data, up to the definition of the diagnosis and its transposition into the executive project and the intervention site, for several decades have favoured the development of methodologies which can already be framed in terms of a real transition towards digitised procedures and modelling.

Considering the ongoing interest of the scientific community in the relevant issues of cultural heritage conservation, with an interdisciplinary approach the session aims to collect contributions relating to experiences, experiments, methodological proposals, case studies and research programmes relating to contexts of different scale (works of art, architectural bodies, historic centres, archaeological sites) which can enrich the debate on new resources and opportunities.

In view of the above, the session intends to evaluate original contributions which deal critically with the following themes:

• Diagnostic investigations and the normative and cultural reference scenario.
• Experiences of instrumental diagnostics for architecture, archaeology and art.
• Diagnosis and conservation of material surfaces: decorative apparatuses, plasters, historic floors.
• The role of diagnostics in structural consolidation.
• Mineralogical-petrographic and biological analyses for knowledge and conservation.
• Stratigraphic analysis of surveys and diagnostic investigations: relations and synergies.

 

 

Session F.3

Chairs:

Andrea Pane, Università di Napoli Federico II, a.pane@unina.it

Leopoldo Repola, Università di Napoli Federico II, leopoldo.repola@unina.it

 

Surveying, Drawing, Preserving, Enhancing: Digital Technologies for Urban Restoration Between History and Future

Since the emergence of the first information technologies, the study of historic cities for the purposes of their knowledge and restoration has made very effective use of them. Beginning with condition survey sheets – whose data, once entered into digital platforms, have enabled complex processing and statistical modeling – and extending to the development of Geographic Information System (GIS), the understanding of the urban fabric of historic cities has steadily increased alongside the evolution of available technologies.

However, this growing volume of data has not always been effectively used to its full potential and, indeed, at times, it has ended up distancing research from the tangible physical reality of the places studied. In recent decades, the advancement of digital surveying systems, coupled with the availability of high-resolution satellite images and street-level recordings, has further enriched the range of tools available to those involved in planning the urban-scale restoration of historic cities. The recent integration of scanning and parametric models, GIS systems, and on-site monitoring infrastructures has, in fact, opened up new scenarios for the use of digital artefacts, placing them within analysis and design processes that require strongly interdisciplinary approaches.

The complexity and extent of data, in fact, demands logical models and interrelation frameworks from the very moment of their creation; these models must define topological maps where the effectiveness and value of data can be assessed throughout their life cycle, and within which project strategies for the protection and enhancement of the historic urban fabric can be located.

On this basis, the session aims to investigate the evolution of digital technologies applied to historic centres and urban restoration, highlighting both the progressive acquisition of knowledge and future prospects, increasingly focused on complex forms of coexistence and overlap between physical and virtual realities. Contributions offering historical in-depth analysis of the evolution of these approaches, reports on recent or ongoing experiences on historic centres, and – finally – reflections on future development of these practices are warmly welcomed.

 

 

Session F.4
Chairs:

Giovanna Ceniccola, Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di L’Aquila e Teramo, giovanna.ceniccola@cultura.gov.it

Stefania Pollone, Università di Napoli Federico II, stefania.pollone2@unina.it

Lia Romano, Università di Napoli Federico II, lia.romano2@unina.it

 

Resilient Cities: Building, Rebuilding, and Adapting Architectural and Urban Heritage in the Aftermath of Seismic Events

The devastation caused by seismic disasters has historically prompted the development of technical and empirical responses to natural hazards, fostering the emergence of diverse forms of expertise aimed both at damage prevention and at the management of post-event consequences. These responses have materialized in the advancement of construction and reinforcement techniques, as well as in the design of new urban settlements. Over time, this cultural and technical phenomenon has shown remarkable continuity both in the Italian peninsula and more broadly across the Mediterranean basin – regions in which high seismicity has consistently played a critical role in driving interventions to enhance the structural performance of architecture and urban settlements in relation to natural risk.

Starting from these considerations, this session aims to explore the strategies adopted over the centuries in response to seismic disasters, highlighting the challenges encountered and the solutions implemented at both the urban and architectural scales, many of which remain open to further scholarly inquiry. The analysis of both historical and contemporary experiences and experiments – from the model of the casa baraccata (timber frame masonries) to interventions following recent earthquakes – provides an opportunity to reflect on methods and techniques for increasing the resilience of built heritage during the complex transitions triggered by seismic events.

Traditional anti-seismic techniques, the pursuit of more advanced solutions, the establishment of new urban centres, or the reconstruction of parts of cities according to seismic risk mitigation criteria represent some of the core themes of this discussion. Furthermore, within this field of study, the Digital Humanities can serve as valuable tools for both research – offering new methods for investigating and representing data – and dissemination – facilitating broader knowledge sharing and enhancing community awareness regarding the importance of such responses in terms of resilience and adaptability to seismic risks.

This session therefore welcomes contributions addressing the following topics, with reference to both Italian and international contexts and across a broad historical timeframe:

• post-seismic reconstruction strategies at the urban scale.
• traditional and resilient anti-seismic construction techniques.
• structural reinforcement and restoration interventions on historic buildings.
• digital solutions, such as Web-GIS and/or open-access databases for mapping, including interactive mapping, of seismic events and post-disaster interventions.
• the use of HBIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) for the study of anti-seismic construction solutions.
• experimental approaches to immaterial narratives of post-seismic strategies and the diachronic transformation of historic architectural and urban heritage.

 

 

Session F.5
Chairs:

Luigi Veronese, Università di Napoli Federico II, luigi.veronese2@unina.it

Maria Rosaria Villani, Università di Salerno, mariarosaria.villani@unina.it

 

Artificial Intelligence for Architectural Restoration: Potential, Research and Perspectives
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its revolutionary potential in multiple fields, including architectural and archaeological restoration and the preservation of historic built heritage. Advanced technologies such as machine learning, computer vision and predictive models are opening new perspectives for the analysis, diagnosis and consolidation of historic buildings, archaeological areas etc., simplifying some processes, sustainable and respectful of the heritage integrity.
One of the main advantages of AI is its ability to analyse large amounts of data in a short time. Therefore, even in architectural restoration, advanced algorithms can process historical images, 3D scans and geospatial data to detect dislocations and forms of degradation and predict their evolution over time. This process not only helps to understand the state of fact of the buildings analysed, but also allows to simulate intervention scenarios to minimize possible risks in the restoration work.
In recent applications, AI has also been shown to automatically recognize materials and construction techniques by physical components of the historic building and suggesting the most appropriate restoration solutions compatible with the original structure.
Intelligent sensors and AI-based monitoring systems can detect in real time signs of structural deterioration, such as injuries, moisture or changes in the stability of buildings. Thanks to these tools, specialists can intervene early, reducing costs and preventing irreversible damage.
The session aims to explore the intersection between AI and the field of conservation, investigating possible applications but also analysing the limits of a technology which must ensure the acquisition of accurate and high quality data and At the same time, respond to the complexity of the interpretation of the historical palimpsest. The objective is to collect contributions that analyse innovative methodologies, case studies and practical experiences on the use of AI in the conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage.

 

 

Session F.6
Chairs:

Claudia Aveta, Università di Pisa, claudia.aveta@unipi.it

Luisa Del Giudice, Sapienza Università di Roma, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, luisa.delgiudice@uniroma1.it

Mariangela Terracciano, Sapienza Università di Roma, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, mariangela.terracciano@uniroma1.it

 

Innovative Technologies and Materials for Conservation in a Time of Transition

The reduction of energy consumption in historic buildings is a pressing issue, particularly in relation to the large-scale policies needed to ensure an energy and environmental transition towards more sustainable models. In this regard, it is essential for restoration scholars to intensify research in these areas, in order to adapt conservation projects to the needs of the contemporary world.

The need to address the high energy consumption often associated with the extensive architectural heritage requires a radical shift in the very conception of conservation interventions and the materials employed, taking into account environmental sustainability within the framework of conservation projects.

The field research conducted by Green Building Council Italia, which led to the development of the GBC Historic Building Protocol, for example, represents an important first step towards an operational convergence between environmental sustainability principles and those of conservation. The protocol was designed to provide a tool for evaluating the sustainability level of interventions on historic buildings, based on the thematic areas used in the LEED/GBC rating systems, with the addition of a specific focus on conservation.

The prerequisites of the thematic areas have been developed in close alignment with principles such as respect for the authenticity of the building, minimal intervention, distinguishability, reversibility of actions, and compatibility, both in terms of intended use and the chemical-physical properties of the materials used.

With this in mind, the session aims to welcome contributions that focus on the use of innovative technologies and materials, whether natural or not, with low environmental impact in conservation, consolidation, and reuse interventions, particularly in relation to:

• structural consolidation and seismic improvement;
• consolidation and integration of finishing elements;
• thermal insulation of interior spaces;
• thermal insulation of perimeter walls;
• thermal insulation of flat roofs and pitched roofs;
• acoustic insulation of interior spaces;
• technological and system upgrades;
• green spaces and uncovered interior and exterior areas;
• water recycling.

 

 

Session F.7
Chairs:

Raffaele Amore, Università di Napoli Federico II-CIRICE, raffaele.amore@unina.it

Vittorio Foramitti, Università di Udine, vittorio.foramitti@uniud.it

 

Restoration and Participation. Heritage Communities for the Conservation of Cities and Landscapes in Transition

The Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, also known as the Faro Convention, was ratified by Italy on 24 October 2020.

The Faro Convention emphasizes that the conservation of cultural heritage and its sustainable use have as their goal human development and quality of life, and that, consequently, its conservation contributes to the building of a peaceful and democratic society, as well as to processes of sustainable development and the promotion of cultural diversity.

The aim of this session is to collect and present experiences of studying, reusing and conserving cultural heritage that have been achieved through bottom-up participatory policies, with an active role for local communities in the related processes. Additionally, it is useful to analyze the contribution and practical results of the activities of associations that have fought for the defense of urban contexts and landscapes since the 19th century, as well as the ways in which these associations have influenced the development of these contexts and landscapes.

The climate crisis and the worrying imbalance between the global north and south are just two of the issues we are facing right now. On top of this, there is the great potential of information technology. But all of this has led to a feeling of fear and isolation among people. So, if we want to create a fairer society that is attentive to the quality of life, we need to start with a new and strengthened idea of community. This is because community participation processes are an expression of people’s true values. This is also true in the field of city and landscape conservation, which represents the greatest interaction between human beings and places over time.

 

 

Session F.8
Chairs:

Luigi Cappelli, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, luigi.cappelli@unina.it

Maria Antonietta De Vivo, Ministero della Cultura, Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia, mariaantonietta.devivo@cultura.gov.it

 

Digital and Information Technologies for Restoration and Museum Transformation: “A Richer, More Dynamic and Inclusive Vision of Cultural Heritage” (ICOMOS, 2008)

The evolution of digital and information technologies has, for several decades now, significantly influenced the processes of conservation, restoration, and valorization of cultural heritage. Through a range of applications – including virtual reality, augmented reality, and serious games – these technologies have been implemented and assessed with varying degrees of effectiveness.

Beyond their capacity to recreate evocative environments and to enable interactive storytelling, such technologies increasingly shape the architectural and exhibition layouts of museums housed in historic buildings. They provide tools that support architectural restoration while addressing contemporary demands for accessibility and visitor engagement.

If, as ICOMOS (2008) states, “the spirit of place offers a more complete understanding of the living and at the same time permanent character of monuments, sites, and cultural landscapes” and “provides a richer, more dynamic and inclusive vision of cultural heritage,” then the integration of Digital Humanities can meaningfully contribute to communicating both the architectural history of the museum building and the complexity of its collections. This can significantly enhance the cultural experience and improve levels of accessibility and interpretation.

The widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT), adaptable to diverse user profiles – including children, adults, specialists, and individuals with motor or sensory disabilities – increasingly aims to make the museum visit more experiential. However, this trend risks diminishing the physical dimension of heritage, which remains essential for a genuine and informed understanding of cultural assets, achievable only through direct experience.

From this perspective, the session aims to explore, through the lenses of architectural conservation and museography, the potential and limitations of digital and information technologies in reinterpreting the history and architectural evolution of buildings transformed into museums, the conservation and valorization interventions undertaken, and the strategies applied to enhance accessibility and visitor engagement.

 

 

Session F.9
Chairs:

Gianluigi de Martino, Università di Napoli Federico II, gianluigi.demartino@unina.it

Stefano Guadagno, Sapienza Università di Roma, stefano.guadagno@uniroma1.it

 

Land Reclamation Territories. A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Heritage at Risk in the Context of Contemporary Challenges (Climate Change, Migration Flows, Increased Urbanisation)

During the first forty years of the 20th century in Italy, partly at the direct impulse of the ruling regime and partly in an attempt to resolve certain economic, social, administrative and territorial issues, significant actions were taken to transform the territory, with the creation of new urban centres, now known to critics as ‘foundation towns’. Closely linked to the emerging theories of modern urban planning, the new centres were conceived as the completion of complex systems designed to rethink, redesign and reorganise the territory, including its economic aspects. In most cases, they were part of a process of comprehensive land reclamation and improvement, so that propaganda terms such as ‘war against water’ and ‘battle for grain’ actually referred to attempts by the engineers of the time to convert large areas of the country that were abandoned or uninhabitable due to poor sanitary conditions for agricultural use. The combined efforts of all the institutions involved (starting with the Opera Nazionale Combattenti and the Consorzi di Bonifica) and the relevant technicians, including architects, engineers, urban planners, agronomists, geologists and others, gave rise, over time and with the important contribution of the post-regime democratic governments, to the territory we know today: an agricultural resource, but also a natural and landscape heritage, the result of experimentation and updates in architecture, urban planning, agricultural, hydrogeological and engineering techniques and, therefore, part of the cultural heritage in all its complex aspects.

Almost a century later, it is now appropriate to reflect on the unity and coherence between historical architecture and landscape (in this case, designed and built). The founded towns and rural villages are now historic urban centres of a vast territory with a layered and ramified structure: they are polycentric systems for which it is difficult to define precise boundaries between town and landscape and for which, in the case of the Agro Pontino, Luigi Piccinato himself tried to conceive a system that was the opposite of the traditional town, favouring territorial relationships and network systems. It is therefore a Historic Urban Landscape, in which architectural and urban elements coexist and complement natural elements on multiple scales and levels. However, it is also a fragile landscape today, both because it is not always recognised in its complexity and because it is constantly under attack on several fronts: uncontrolled urban expansion on one side, and on the other, the modernisation of farming techniques, which are increasingly less respectful of the historical territorial structure, as well as climate change and migratory flows, which are transforming the face of the territories in ways that are not always predictable.

Starting from these considerations, this Session aims to explore the complex relationships between foundation towns and their historical landscape in Italy (or similar cases), as well as the role of Digital Humanities both in understanding this extensive and layered heritage and in trying to guide its transformation, with a view to conservation and enhancement, in a way that looks at the challenges of the near future, climate change, and the survival of fragile areas with identities at risk. The goal is to collect contributions related to case studies, ongoing research, or practical experiences that highlight the unique characteristics of these contexts that are already, for better or worse, in transition.