The construction and demolition sectors are among the world’s most critical activities, generating large amounts of waste. Thus, these sectors’ waste accumulation problem is related to the environmental protection system and proper waste management. On the other hand, it is well known that proper waste disposal can increase its value. In this way, the economic potential of the trash can be raised again. Therefore, this article will examine the economic potential of construction and demolition (C & D) waste. Different waste management processes will be analyzed to better understand the topic from a financial perspective in this area underway in Spain. Therefore, data from other regions of Spain were collected. This data led to results where the most expensive rooms were Pais Vasco and the Balearic Islands, where disposal of C & D waste had the highest prices, exceeding EUR 30 per ton. Conversely, the lowest prices are found in regions such as Navarre and Andalusia, where prices per ton are EUR 8 and EUR 6, respectively. The values show a direct relationship between the treatment price and the amount of C & D waste disposed of. Therefore, this article will look at different factors influencing sustainable waste management. Such activities have a positive impact, as waste needs to be recycled and reevaluated by waste management operators. The cost of construction waste is an integral part of the budget because it represents the monetary value of the cost of collecting and recycling construction waste. Construction waste is an essential resource for economic and social development, as it contributes to job creation, education and culture, and the protection and preservation of the environment.
Rural depopulation and the abandonment of historic settlements are pressing challenges for contemporary spatial planning, particularly in regions with a rich architectural and cultural heritage. This article examines the ruins of Moya, in Cuenca (Spain), as a case study to develop an integrated rural revitalisation strategy. The research combines historical building analysis, assessment of structural deterioration, and planning for economic reactivation to create a comprehensive framework for transforming abandoned sites into a viable cultural resource. The proposed model favours temporary and flexible occupation over permanent repopulation, promoting forms of use that respect and preserve the site’s historical identity. The approach builds on principles of activating monumental heritage, integrating the vernacular fabric, and organising the site into distinct functional areas. Moya is thus presented not only as an example of abandonment, but also as a replicable prototype for intervention in other declining rural environments, where heritage can serve as a strategic resource for sustainable development and territorial cohesion. The main objectives are to develop and test an integrated strategy for rural regeneration that goes beyond physical restoration, combining adaptive reuse, heritage conservation, and educational and cultural programmes to stimulate the local economy and reinforce territorial identity. The approach is evaluated through the case of Moya and contrasted with other national and international experiences to assess its replicability.
Historic masonry churches are highly vulnerable to structural degradation and seismic hazards due to their geometric complexity, material ageing, and lack of detailed construction records. The Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia, a monument of exceptional historical and architectural value, presents these challenges, intensified by centuries of transformations and partial loss of documentation. In this study, we develop a comprehensive methodology that integrates historical research, non-destructive testing (3D laser scanning with Leica Geosystems Cyclone v9.1.1; infrared thermography, commercial software; ground-penetrating radar with gprMax 2016 and GPR-SLICE v7.MT), and advanced finite element modelling (Angle v1). The integrated survey data enabled the creation of an accurate 3D geometric model, the detection of hidden construction elements, and the characterisation of subsoil stratigraphy. Structural simulations under static and seismic loading—considering soil–structure interaction—revealed the high global stiffness of the complex, the influence of the Baroque vault on load distribution, and localised vulnerabilities, particularly in the San Juan ‘O’ façade, which coincide with existing cracks confirmed by thermography. This methodological framework not only advances the diagnosis and conservation of Santos Juanes but also provides a replicable model for assessing and safeguarding other heritage buildings with similar typological and structural challenges.
14 November 2024 in VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability
Acoustic modeling of heritage buildings presents a significant challenge due to the architectural complexity of these spaces and the need to preserve their authenticity. In particular, the precision of the virtual model in historical environments largely depends on the level of detail applied during simulation. This study examines the influence of detail level in acoustic modeling applied to the Lonja de los Mercaderes in Valencia, a prominent example of Gothic civil architecture in Europe. Using ODEON software, three virtual models of the main hall were developed with varying levels of detail, from a high-precision model to a simplified representation. The results show that a highly detailed model increases computational costs, while a reduction in detail leads to greater dispersion in results, especially at low frequencies. This research highlights the importance of finding an appropriate balance in detail level, providing reliable acoustic estimates without compromising efficiency. These findings contribute to ongoing discourse on heritage conservation practices, emphasizing how simulation technologies can aid in preserving acoustic integrity while addressing practical limitations. The conclusions have implications for the application of simulation technologies in other highly complex heritage buildings.
The study of a factory full of history, its peculiarities and the evidence of a building with characteristics that make it unique, encourage a constructive and urban analysis of the Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia (Spain). It has been the scene of numerous events due to its important commercial position. Therefore, without leaving aside the rest of the particularities that have happened to the building and that largely define its personality and its current configuration, this work intends to attend to the rest of the features that fix its character and that allow it to be framed in a specific place inside the city. This article aims to discern and analyze the constructive evolution that the temple has had from its origins to the present, specifying each one of the interventions and relating them to the responsible historical premises, as well as the consequences that they have had in the urban environment that surrounds
El presente se encuentra caracterizado por un cambio sin precedentes, conocido como la Tercera Revolución Industrial, donde se va dando forma a nuevas