Vernacular built heritage, which is rich in cultural knowledge and identity, is increasingly threatened by modernisation. The absence of specific assessment tools, however, prevents a thorough evaluation of this impact. To address this gap, this paper presents a methodology for assessing how contemporary transformation processes affect the built heritage of vernacular settlements facing abandonment. This methodology involves inventorying the buildings of a vernacular settlement to identify alterations that significantly impact their vernacular character. Each building is assigned an index value quantifying the impact of these alterations. This process is facilitated by a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach that incorporates the combined judgement and expertise of stakeholders typically involved in site management. The results yield an index that quantifies the preserved vernacular character of a site. Designed to be adaptable to diverse cultural contexts and situations, this methodology was implemented in thirteen vernacular villages within Montesinho Natural Park (MNP), Portugal, where buildings undergo continuous substitution, modification, and abandonment. This research offers policy-makers and site managers a replicable model for developing management strategies that can help safeguard and revitalise these unique heritage assets. This research hypothesises that enhancing vernacular building practices can reverse depopulation by fostering dynamic community engagement.

Storm Kristin affected central Portugal on 28 January 2026, producing exceptional wind gusts and widespread disruption across the natural, infrastructural and built environments. This paper presents the results of a post-disaster reconnaissance mission carried out in the municipalities of Leiria and Marinha Grande, two of the most affected areas. The methodology combined ground-based visual inspection, photographic records, unmanned aerial vehicle surveys, terrestrial laser scanning, and information provided by local authorities and infrastructure managers. The results show that the spatial distribution and severity of the damage were consistent with the occurrence of very intense localised gusts associated with a sting jet mechanism. Extensive damage was observed in vegetation, transport networks, electrical and telecommunications infrastructure, public spaces and different building typologies. Across the building stock, roofing systems were the most vulnerable components, particularly lightweight panels, ceramic tiles, ridge elements and poorly anchored envelope systems. Industrial and public buildings showed the most severe failures, including extensive roof loss, deformation of structural and envelope components, and local collapse, while residential buildings generally presented minor-to-moderate damage. Heritage buildings showed specific vulnerabilities related to cumulative degradation, exposed architectural elements and the consequences of local damage for historic fabric. The findings highlight the need for improved wind-risk preparedness, systematic post-event documentation, enhanced roof and cladding anchorage, preventive maintenance, and further investigation of the relationship between recorded wind speeds, observed damage patterns and current wind-design assumptions.