The seismic sequences occurred in Italy during the last decades confirmed the vulnerability of historical centres and the need for novel procedures aimed at preserving the cultural heritage and mitigating the structural risk. Building conservation and safeguard require a multidisciplinary approach, so that an accurate assessment of buildings conditions, both conservative and structural in nature, can be accomplished; as a result, potential risk factors and the associated interventions to increase the resilience of sites and historic buildings can be successfully identified. Herein, an insight on the technical literature offers some reflections about a reliable framework for conservation plans that could comply with the current knowledge and technology, and therefore potentially defined proactive. The opportunities given by the integration of information systems and structural monitoring techniques are analysed in the light of a SWOT analysis able to support a rational approach to the preservation of historical centres. The proposed SWOT matrix is the result of an interdisciplinary effort and reflects the key features of a real case, paradigmatic of many historical centres of the Abruzzi Region. In such a perspective, this study represents a step forward an effective and rational approach to the structural maintenance and preservation of historical centres.

This article looks at a knowledge-based approach to emergency situations caused by earthquakes or other natural disasters, and illustrates how a multidisciplinary approach enables the integration of technical requirements with those of a historical and cultural nature. The case study presented is the recovery of the ex-city hospital of L’Aquila, in Italy, which was hit by an earthquake in 2009. The integrated use of varying investigation methodologies allowed us to establish the effectiveness of a knowledge-based approach, and generated new ideas for the development of the structure and its strategic role within the city.

Twentieth-century hospital complexes are significant examples of how architecture can shape the urban context and the development of cities. However, the significances and the architectural values of these structures are often overlooked and misunderstood; especially when said buildings assume strategic importance, their functions tend to overwhelm and distort the architecture. The selection of the most significant works of the twentieth century and beyond (from 1945 to today) in Abruzzo seems to ignore hospitals; furthermore, the generally used criteria to assess cultural interest appear to mainly focus on the initial project, neglecting transformations over time and the relationship with places. Starting from the analysis of 20th-century hospital complexes (particularly the most recent, yet significantly altered, one), we aim to reflect on the need for a long-term vision that allows for the management of change with a view to co-evolution, avoiding disruption and damage to the architectural heritage.