Disaster in Libraries in Developing Countries

This chapter discusses the concept disaster in libraries in developing countries and the need for digital preservation of library resources. It started with the definition of disaster as an event that produces casualties. It also highlighted the types, causes and effects of disasters in libraries. The chapter further discusses the concept of digital preservation of library materials as a viable option for disaster management. It also enumerated and discussed the various methods of digital preservation of library resources. The chapter also explains X-ray, the concept of libraries in developing countries and disaster preservation; it also discusses various challenges that developing countries face in terms of digital preservation of resources. Based on these discussions, the chapter concludes and makes recommendations so as to improve the level of library and information services as well as disaster preparedness in developing countries.

Parametric Modeling as a Tool of Analysis and Interpretation of Built Heritage

In this chapter are developed some considerations about the heuristic potentialities of parametric digital modeling as a tool for analyzing and interpreting architectural heritage. Observed that the parametric thinking in architecture could be recognized almost from the origin, new parametric modeling software allows to verify the design criteria of the past. On the basis of previous studies on Baroque vaulted atria, this chapter develops, using parametric modeling tools, a real vocabulary of shapes and their possible combinations, suggested by the architectural literature of the time and the survey of about seventy atria in Turin. This method has been tested on the case study of the lunettes dome in the atrium of Palazzo Carignano.

The Drawings and the Modine of Francesco Pieroni for the Ministero delle Finanze in Rome

The main focus of this chapter is the highly valued work done by the architect Francesco Pieroni at the Ministero delle Finanze in Rome. This contribution can to attribute to Pieroni various drawings and numerous modine, i.e. real scale cardboard templates of various shapes used in the realization phases of the mouldings. Pieroni's activity represents, in the Roman context, one of the first applications of typical 16th century mouldings, to modern and prefabricated metal bar structures, spreading in the 70's of the 19th century. The construction companies were resilient to agree for changes in building techniques due to a lack of expertise. The realization of the Ministero is a case study of this phenomenon. The archival research developed casts new light on the numerous modifications carried out by Peroni during construction phases, which demonstrate the accuracy employed by the architect in designing the stuccos. The chapter analyses two different types of archive documents: the report Spoglio modificazioni lavori di stucco, and the examples of modine authored by Pieroni.

3D Digitization of Architectural Heritage

This project's principal intention is developing a structure from a motion thematic applied to an architecture field in both medium and large scale, in order to generate a cloud of points. These are obtained thanks to photographic footage, which can later be used during the H-BIM process. The matter of 3D digitalization is a very current issue for many countries including Cuba. The growth of such a technological application for tridimensional restitution of historical buildings is treated by giving special attention to those belonging to Havana's architectural and cultural heritage.

Est Modus in Rebus

In the 18th century the overall weakening of the papal authority forced the ecclesiastical government to focus its attention on the rationalization of its infrastructures, in order to facilitate the control of the collection of taxes and to stabilize local and general finances. In particular, at that time the upgrading of strategic ports such as Civitavecchia and Ancona marked the political discussion, and the desire to restart the economy encouraged by Pope Clement XII Corsini (1730-40) awaked a general enthusiasm. Thus, in Romagna region, centers like Rimini, Forlì, Cesena and Faenza started to strengthen and improve their infrastructures: primarily, port facilities and retail buildings. In architecture this meant a progressive functionalization of the design: geometry, comfort, utility, security and linearism became the terms for the new language. The outcomes of their reflections seem to respond to a common ideological ‘modus operandi': a sharing of intents which led to realizations just apparently different.

From Treatises to Late Baroque Architecture in Val di Noto

Val di Noto is an area geographically corresponding to southeastern Sicily and it is arranged as an integrated context. Within the Baroque in Sicily, it is necessary to remember the earthquake of 1693 which ravaged the area across, destroying lots of populated centers. After the earthquake, a lot of urban centers were rebuilt transforming the area around Val di Noto into a big building site. The research develops a critical methodological investigation of the works of the period concerning church architecture with sinusoidal facades. The instrumental survey is particularly suitable to draw comparisons with the treatises known at the time. The present study refers to the ichnographies of Mazza collection by Rosario Gagliardi, prominent figure of the Sicilian Baroque. The adopted methodology highlighted analogies and formal geometric differences between the model represented by Gagliardi's ichnographies and the churches previously identified. The chapter provides a useful instrument for the research of a technical, scientific and geometric point of view.

Stratigraphic Analyses, Historical Evidences, and 3D Documentation Tools

The stratigraphic analysis of the masonries has been variously used to interpret the construction phases of the historical buildings of different eras and has assumed the contours of a consolidated method. In this chapter the stratigraphic analysis of a portion of an important and exemplary architectural complex of southern Piedmont (the church of the medieval Staffarda Abbey) will be presented highlighting two relevant objectives. The first aim concerns the methods of investigation: the deep observation of the signs of alteration of the masonries has been flanked by 3D modeling methods generated by integrated photogrammetric and lidar techniques, and the representation of the stratigraphic units has been realized through the support of GIS technology. The connection between 3D surveys and historical documents and the direct reading on the constructive elements and its 3D models, allowed the rewriting and new interpretation of the construction phases of the Santa Maria Church, previously unknown.

The Necessity of the Study of Humanities in Analysis of Intangible Architectural Heritage of Europe in the 1930s

The chapter suggests a deepening through the study of humanities in order to define, rectify, and identify the significance of architecture as a methodological base. The case study of the chapter is the monitoring of the works of the Iranian architect Mohsen Foroughi who was employed to build the main architectural scheme of the power flourished in the thirties in Persia. Accordingly, to attain the objective of the chapter, which lies in the epistemology of humanities in relation to architecture, the first step is to define a comparative platform where the works of the Iranian architect could be deciphered amidst the study of the works and opinions of his contemporary colleagues in Europe as Marcello Piacentini. The comparison has been undertaken amidst the two PHDs of the author of the chapter. The second step is to study the Parisian education of the Iranian architect and his inherited Persian culture. Finally, other similarities to Foroughi's works alongside with the presentation of texts upon the branches of humanities related to architecture are taken into scrupulous account.

Memory as Intangible Heritage

This chapter describes the documentation and valorization of a special architectural heritage: the WW2 Cemeteries in Cassino & Montecassino territory. This is for the purpose of preserving and transmitting the memories of different people. Even today, these cemeteries are maintained by Polish, English, German, French and Italian governments and visited by many people of various nationalities. Our research is orientated to not only celebrate the sacrifice and identity of the soldiers who lost their lives in the war events, but also as a call for the reconciliation of peoples and the construction of a culture of peace. The cemeteries are studied by an architectonical point of view. Design aspects and aspects concerning the representation of projects are highlighted based on the documents found.

Management and Valorization of Cultural Heritage in the Framework of Environmental Ethics

Fundamental conceptual terms, such as ‘culture' and ‘heritage,' are far from being neutral scientific objects. They are academic constructions which need to be understood as they emerge across their historic contexts. The general definition of paradigm comprises a “disciplinary matrix,” a constellation of beliefs, values, and techniques shared by a community. The presence of some anomalies is not enough to abandon the previous paradigm. This only happens when, you can observe multiple unexplained or unexpected events, and when a rival paradigm emerges. The Environmental Philosophy allowed the construction of a new ontology as a critique of anthropocentrism, a new epistemology as a critique of ethnocentrism, and a new ethical theory, with a universal value and practical content applicable to all the social fields. This chapter discusses the relevance of environmental philosophy in changing the social viewing of heritage and the correlation between heritage education, and heritage, and the new paradigm of tourism, environmental tourism.