Floods are natural hazards which have damaged cities and their architectural heritage over the centuries. The heritage town of Alzira (Valencia, Spain) is a major case study for the assessment of flood risk in architectural heritage. Alzira was founded by the Al-Andalus Moors on a river island within a bend of the river Júcar, which has overflowed more than 80 times during its history. The main aim of this work is to analyse the vulnerability to floods of the town’s architectural heritage, especially that of earthen architecture, a constructive tradition of which several examples can be found in the town. The proposed methodology attempts to calculate the vulnerability of the earthen architecture through the evaluation and weighting of extrinsic and intrinsic parameters. This makes it possible to identify the constructive characteristics and material weathering which worsen the behaviour of structures during floods. Maximum vulnerability values have been obtained for poorly conserved constructions without cladding. Results highlight the importance of ascertaining suitable strategies for the prevention and mitigation of risk as future lines of research. The vulnerability assessment methodology presented in this study could be applied to other case studies in other sites with architectural heritage under threat from floods.

Floods represent one of the most threatening risks for earthen architectural heritage. Developing risk assessment tools is considered crucial to mitigate the risk and to protect heritage buildings. Due to its hygroscopic nature, earthen architecture is generally considered to be vulnerable to water, requiring a specific analysis. This paper proposes a vulnerability assessment method for earthen buildings in flood-prone areas. Based on the evaluation of the susceptibility of the building’s components and characteristics, the method allows for quantifying the vulnerability of the assets, in non-monetary terms. An application of the methodology is carried out assessing a selection of earthen construction in Quito Historic Centre (Ecuador). The results show the influence of each component in the global vulnerability of the earthen buildings. The response of different construction techniques and the importance of the maintenance of heritage buildings is exposed. Vulnerability assessment methods at the meso-small scale constitute the foundation for risk assessment. Thus, this study aims to provide a significant assessment tool that can be used for further analysis and future lines of research, aiming to protect cultural heritage that is at risk.

Alzira, the capital of the Ribera del Júcar, has historically played a prominent role within the Comunitat Valenciana. The first settlement of the city dates back to the Moorish domination, and after the Reconquista, together with Xativa, Alcoi and Elx, it became one of the main cities of the ancient Reino de Valencia. Its architectural heritage is a witness of this remarkable past, including the glorious example of the Moorish wall, built almost entirely using the technique of rammed earth. Throughout history, the Moorish wall and the entire architectural heritage of Alzira have suffered extensive damage due to multiple factors, including neglect, wars and numerous floods. Throughout history, floods have had a significant impact on the architectural and cultural heritage of the city, as chronicled at the time, given that until the 1960s, the historic centre was surrounded by the two branches of the river Júcar. This study aims to analyse the response of earthen architecture to flooding, assessing its resilience and vulnerability through the analysis of the case of the city of Alzira and, in particular, of its historic centre. The research will therefore investigate the adaptation of earthen architecture and traditional techniques to floods. The recognition of these good practices used in the past and the establishment of a level of risk will be crucial to developing measures for the prevention and mitigation of the effects of floods, such as structural reinforcements and protective devices.

Earthen architecture is one of Spain's longest-standing construction traditions, used from antiquity to the mid-twentieth century. Given its hygroscopic nature, earthen architecture is generally seen as barely resistant to water and as more associated with geographical areas with hot and dry climates. However, it is found in different places with different climate and geographical characteristics. In these surroundings, its survival over time has been ensured by a process of adaptation and modification producing architectural and constructive forms which reflect the identity of the geographical areas in question. One of the main risks to earthen architecture are floods, which have always represented a threat to this architectural heritage. The increased frequency and intensity of floods due to climate change have in turn gradually given rise to an increasing risk of disappearance for this architectural heritage. This paper aims to study the typologies and features of earthen vernacular architecture in flood-prone areas through the analysis of case studies in the Ebro basin. The study of earthen buildings in the area under study provides information on the most recurrent architectural features and vulnerabilities, as well as the inherent resistance which has enabled this earthen architectural heritage to survive. Moreover, a study of the pathologies and structural damage visible on buildings highlights those which are a direct consequence of the action of water and can potentially affect structural behaviour during a flood. Aiming to establish conservation strategies for earthen architectural heritage the data collected are analysed using a qualitative vulnerability assessment methodology, establishing the degree of influence of individual characteristics on the response of earthen structures to floods.

Information about the paper titled "EMPTY SPAIN AND VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE. AWARENESS AND CONSERVATION FROM THE TEACHING OF ARCHITECTURAL RESTORATION" at IATED Digital Library