Knowledge and Big Data: New Approaches to the Anamnesis and Diagnosis of the Architectural Heritage’s Conservation Status. State of Art and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Italy holds the international record for Cultural Heritage and Unesco sites’ number but, in the face of this wealth, a number of criticalities emerge as it cannot be a mere passive location; Cultural Heritage needs protection, conservation and valorization through direct interventions such as restoration and maintenance, and indirect interventions such as the deepening and dissemination of knowledge. Strengthening the knowledge chain means, in fact, increasing the possibility of preserving Historical Buildings by developing a culture of protection and conservation.

The study, systematization, digitization and the possibility of making the totality of information on the Architectural Heritage accessible online is a fundamental means of disseminating knowledge about them.

Direct access to the information system can significantly increase the quality of the design and execution of conservation work on historic buildings.

Digital systematization therefore represents an urgent priority not only for the dissemination of cultural contents but, especially, for the executive guarantee of correct interventions on the Heritage in accordance with the provisions dictated by the national protection system according to which every action must be aimed at the conservation of the Heritage.

This contribution constitutes an overview of the digital tools related to the Architectural Heritage existing today in Italy. The peculiarities and gaps of each one are identified, in order to achieve the methodological definition of a new and improved approach based on the awareness that the digitization and dissemination of these contents are, to all intents and purposes, processes for the enhancement of Cultural Heritage.