Publications
“O novo sobre o antigo”: Brandi e a tutela dos centros históricos como instância moral
Cesare Brandi's theoretical framework for the restoration of historic centers, particularly his stance on the ethical and moral imperative to preserve urban heritage, stands out as a pivotal contribution. His work, rooted in aesthetic, historical, and ethical principles, rejects contemporary insertions into ancient contexts, advocating instead for the safeguarding of these spaces as a civic duty. This perspective is illustrated through Brandi's interventions in Siena, his hometown, where he critiqued redevelopment projects that threatened its historic integrity. By comparing his views with contemporaries like Argan and Quaroni, the study underscores Brandi's unique ethical approach to conservation, emphasizing the protection of urban landscapes as irreplaceable bearers of civilization. This framework offers enduring critical tools for balancing conservation and transformation in historic cities.
Accessible cities, ‘permeable’ urban walls. Experiences of accessibility to fortified heritage between Italy and Spain
City walls, once symbols of division and impermeability, can be transformed into 'permeable' spaces that redefine the relationship between historic centers and their surroundings. This study highlights how intact urban fortifications offer new perspectives on the city-palimpsest, acting as filters that enhance both physical and cognitive accessibility. Focusing on Italian and Spanish contexts, it investigates design strategies aimed at improving access to these fragile heritage sites, reflecting on restoration and architectural approaches. By analyzing published sources and recent experiences, the research explores operational methods and outcomes, providing insights into the challenges and potential of making fortified heritage more inclusive and dynamic.
From data to belonging: citizen science, urban friction, and institutional response in Siena
Citizen science initiatives in Siena, Italy, transcend data collection to foster relational practices that challenge urban governance hierarchies. By engaging diverse groups—students, residents, migrants, volunteers, and researchers—in documenting everyday life and river ecosystems, these projects become platforms for negotiating belonging and presence. Ethnographic engagement, data walks, and interviews reveal how digital tools, while enabling participation, also act as epistemic gatekeepers, creating 'urban friction' that can drive more responsive knowledge practices. This study highlights citizen science as a transformative force in urban politics, bridging gaps between communities and institutions.
An agent-based model to foster citizens’ sustainable behavior in the Italian city of Siena
Research reveals that the historical layout and connectivity of Siena, an Italian art city renowned for sustainability, paradoxically hinder the adoption of cooperative environmental behaviors among its citizens. Using a geo-referenced agent-based model (ABM) combined with game theory, the study simulates how pro-environmental attitudes spread in a population dominated by selfish individuals, incorporating herding and anti-herding dynamics. Findings suggest that while Siena's geographical features inherently promote sustainability, its urban structure limits collective action for environmental protection. This work highlights the complex interplay between urban design and citizen behavior in fostering sustainable practices.
Archaeoseismology in a Mediterranean City
Archaeoseismology reveals new insights into the seismic resilience and vulnerability of medieval architecture, particularly in the historic center of Siena. This study, part of the European PROTECT project, introduces innovative methodologies to assess how past earthquakes have shaped urban landscapes and social contexts. By analyzing architectural evidence, it provides a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges archaeology, seismology, and cultural heritage preservation. The findings underscore the significance of archeoseismological approaches in understanding complex urban dynamics and their relationship with both medieval and modern seismic events.
Fact, Fiction, and Legend: Writing Urban History and Identity in Medieval and Renaissance Siena
Siena's urban identity was forged through strategic narratives, challenging its perceived lack of Roman heritage. The city countered criticism by crafting legends—such as the she-wolf and Saint Ansanus—rooted in historical materials like archives and artworks. During the Renaissance, Siena redefined its history, drawing on classical culture to assert legitimacy amid Italian rivalries. This study reveals how local identity formation in Siena was a dynamic interplay of fact, fiction, and legend, offering insights into the enduring complexity of urban narratives.
Geographies of finance and metamorphoses of power: Dynamics of urban transformation during the 15th and 16th centuries in Rome
A significant shift in urban and economic power dynamics emerged during the 15th and 16th centuries, with Rome positioning itself as the central hub of Christianity and international finance. This transformation was driven by strategic financial policies implemented by successive popes, who leveraged the expertise of influential merchant and banker families, such as the Chigi, to monopolize key industries like alum production in Tolfa. Siena's economic strength, rooted in cooperative ventures and mineral wealth, attracted papal attention, further accelerating Rome's rise as a global market leader. The study employs historical accounts and financial records to dissect these dynamics, revealing how geopolitical ambitions and economic strategies reshaped urban landscapes and financial systems during this pivotal period.
Siena, The Rise of Painting 1300-1350: The Beginnings of Naturalistic Lighting Techniques in Art as an Accompaniment to Shifting Perspective
A groundbreaking analysis reveals that the early 14th century marked a pivotal shift in art, with light being incorporated in a naturalistic manner—d Dubbed 'motivated light,' this technique, pioneered by Duccio and Giotto, transformed paintings into more recognizable depictions of real-life scenarios while allowing for symbolic or dramatic effects. By applying stage lighting principles to three seminal works, the study demonstrates how this innovation laid the foundation for the Renaissance's creative evolution, achieving fully naturalistic yet manipulable light within a century.
Learning from medieval Italy: urban sustainability concepts from the heritage of hydraulic infrastructures. The cases of Venice, Siena and Bologna
Medieval hydraulic infrastructures in Venice, Siena, and Bologna offer five key sustainability principles—exploitation, self-sufficiency, maintenance, rationalisation, and reuse—that align with modern Sustainable Development Goals. These systems, developed with limited resources, demonstrate innovative water management strategies that prioritize efficiency and cultural-geographical knowledge. The study maps these historic models to identify adaptable solutions for contemporary urban water supply challenges, highlighting their relevance in an era of instability and the urgent need for sustainable communities.
Multi-Modal/Multi-Resolution 3D Data Acquisition and Processing for a New Understanding of the Historical City of Siena (Italy)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and laser scanning surveys reveal hidden structures beneath Siena's historic center, offering unprecedented insights into the city's ancient fabric. The SOS project integrates full-coverage GPR data with 3D laser scans of significant structures like the cathedral, processing point clouds to eliminate noise and transform them into meshes for semantic enrichment. This multi-modal approach enables the creation of a 3D Archaeological WEBGIS, enhancing archaeological data visualization and conservation efforts. The study demonstrates how advanced geospatial technologies can uncover buried anomalies, providing a foundation for improved urban preservation strategies.
The power of visual representations and the growing aestheticization of food. An interdisciplinary analysis of Airbnb visual content in Siena
Research reveals that Airbnb's visual content, particularly food imagery, drives a process of image normalization that contradicts the platform's promise of authentic local experiences. The study analyzed 3960 photographs from 250 listings in Siena, Italy, between November 2020 and February 2022, using an interdisciplinary approach combining geography, semiotics, and visual studies. Findings indicate a growing aestheticization of food that accelerates the touristification and commodification of places, challenging the notion of unique, local experiences. Siena's small size and strong cultural identity made it an ideal case study for examining these dynamics.
İklim Değişikliği Bağlamında Kültürel Mirasın Sürdürülebilirliği ve Enerji Korunumunun Değerlendirilmesi
Climate change poses significant risks to the sustainability and energy conservation of cultural heritage sites, particularly those with traditional construction methods adapted to local climates. A study analyzing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Turkey and Italy—including Sassi di Matera, Ferrara, Siena, Safranbolu, Cumalıkızık, and Mardin—revealed that while these sites historically excelled in energy efficiency due to their use of local materials and topographical alignment, they are vulnerable to degradation under changing climatic conditions. The research identified critical threats to their structural integrity and energy performance, proposing a mitigation model to preserve their sustainability. This work underscores the need for adaptive conservation strategies to protect both cultural value and environmental resilience in heritage sites.
Archaeology and earthquakes in Siena (Italy). Preliminary results from the survey of the historical buildings in the Terzo di Città
A preliminary archaeoseismological study of Siena's historic center, particularly the Terzo di Città, reveals critical insights into the seismic impacts on architecture and post-earthquake restoration techniques. Conducted as part of the EU-funded PROTECT project under Horizon 2020, this research introduces a theoretical framework for a specialized database designed to address precise chrono-typological queries. The study, initiated in December 2021, aims to deepen seismic prevention knowledge by analyzing historical earthquake contexts and their architectural consequences. This approach not only enhances understanding of past seismic events but also provides a foundation for future preservation strategies.
City governance and visual impression management: Visual semiotics and the Biccherna panels of Siena
The Biccherna panels of Siena, a series of medieval painted covers and paintings linked to the city's accounts, exemplify how visual artefacts can serve as tools for 'visual governance,' conveying idealized images of orderly administration despite complex underlying realities. This study applies visual semiotics, drawing on Umberto Eco's framework and medieval aesthetics, to demonstrate that art and accounting are intertwined in governance. The research reveals contemporary resonances in corporate annual reporting, suggesting that visual impression management remains a powerful mechanism for addressing conflict and uncertainty in organizational landscapes.
Travellers’ perspectives on historic squares and railway stations in Italian heritage cities revealed through sentiment analysis
Sentiment analysis of online reviews reveals that travellers' perceptions of historic squares and railway stations in Italian heritage cities, such as Siena, are significantly influenced by place quality and connectivity. These factors include aesthetic perception, social interaction, body mobility, facilities, amenities, sense of safety, and destination loyalty. The study highlights how community engagement can be effectively measured through advanced analysis, offering new insights for urban design strategies that prioritize public exterior spaces in heritage cities.
Digital Survey and Parametric 3D Modelling for the Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Heritage: The Basilica of San Domenico in Siena, Italy
A collaborative effort between researchers and heritage authorities has developed a digital survey and parametric 3D modeling approach to assess the vulnerability of masonry structures, exemplified by the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena. This method integrates advanced techniques to evaluate structural risks, offering a precise tool for conservation planning. The research combines high-resolution imaging with parametric modeling, enabling detailed analysis of material degradation and structural integrity. Such an approach is critical for preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where historical structures face complex challenges due to aging materials and environmental factors.
Group dynamics in the contrada communities of Siena, Italy
Research reveals that the contrada communities of Siena, Italy, exhibit complex group dynamics shaped by historical alliances and rivalries. A survey of 508 members found strong familial and social ties underpinning membership, while behavioral data from a ritual event (185 person-hours) showed how inter-group relationships influence individual and collective actions. These findings highlight the enduring impact of symbolic divisions on urban social interactions, offering insights into contemporary group dynamics within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Territorial collective identities and the internet. Processes of individuation of Siena’s neighbourhoods
This study reveals how Siena's historic neighbourhoods, known as contrade, leverage the internet to preserve and project their collective identities against global audiences. By integrating philosophical anthropologist Hemuth Plessner’s concept of identity as an 'imagined unity' with geographer Anssi Paasi’s theories on borders and boundaries, the research demonstrates that institutionalizing social and spatial boundaries is crucial for maintaining territorial collective identities amid technological and societal changes. The analysis, based on ethnographic and digital data from Siena's historic centre and its iconic Palio festival, highlights the contrade's strategic use of online platforms to assert control over their narratives while engaging with broader global contexts.
Where Freedom Dwells
Medieval urban cores, particularly during the Gothic period, exhibited a fractured yet culturally diverse nature, reflecting complex social and political dynamics. This study reveals how pre-medieval enclaves like bastides and spontaneous settlements shaped the development of historic centers in cities such as Siena, Florence, Venice, and Bruges. It also explores the theoretical relationship between urban spaces and Christianity, drawing on theories from King Alfonso and Eiximenis. Additionally, the research examines contemporary challenges faced by these historic cores, including abandonment, gentrification, and banality. The study combines historical analysis with theoretical frameworks to understand both past and present urban transformations.
Collaboration and Correction: Re-examining the Writings of Lucy Olcott Perkins, ‘a lady resident in Siena’
Lucy Olcott Perkins' contributions to the study of Sienese art, particularly during her residence in Siena and collaboration with William Heywood, highlight the significance of networked research and collaborative partnerships in early 20th-century scholarship. Her work, marked by directness and simplicity, brought lesser-known artworks to scholarly attention while also reflecting the privileges and limitations faced by women in academic collaborations during this period. This study re-examines her writing career across two phases—one characterized by rigorous collaboration with access to historic sites, and another marked by isolation following her marriage breakdown. By analyzing her evolving approaches and circumstances, it sheds light on the dynamics of husband-wife collaborations and their impact on women's roles in art history during this era.
Urban sustainability: Co2 uptake by green areas in the historic centre of Siena
Green areas in Siena's historic center contribute significantly to CO2 absorption, with an efficiency of 1.95 t CO2 per hectare annually—a remarkable figure for a densely populated urban area. This study quantifies the carbon uptake capacity (330.50 t CO2 yr⁻¹) of vegetation types such as trees, olive groves, vineyards, and grasslands, highlighting their role in regulating planetary energy balance. By analyzing 71.54 ha of green spaces within the 169.64-ha historic center, researchers demonstrate that strategic urban planning and maintenance of green areas are critical for sustainable city development. The findings underscore the ecological value of preserving natural heritage even in highly urbanized settings.
Architecture of a hydroelectrically powered wireless sensor node for underground environmental monitoring
A novel hydroelectrically powered wireless sensor node enables autonomous, real-time monitoring of underground environmental conditions without external power sources. The system harnesses energy from flowing water using a watermill principle, making it ideal for deployment in historic underground aqueducts like Siena's 'Bottini.' This innovation minimizes maintenance and supports the preservation of ancient sites by providing continuous data on environmental parameters. Tested at 'Fontebranda,' one of the largest fountains in the network, the node integrates power generation, data acquisition, and wireless transmission, demonstrating its feasibility for long-term, independent operation.
Unity in Diversity: The Palio of Siena as Civil Religion
The Palio of Siena is identified as the principal modern expression of Sienese civil religion, encapsulating the city's historic memory and distinctive civilization. This festival, occurring twice annually, uniquely blends variety with sameness, change with continuity, serving as both a psychological and topographical center for Siena. Following the fall of the independent Sienese Republic in 1555, the Campo became a focal point for introspective self-consciousness, reflecting the city's enduring cultural identity.
Medieval Towns, Traffic and Urban Planning Half a Century since the First Pedestrian Zone in Siena, Italy
A groundbreaking urban planning solution implemented in Siena, Italy, in 1965 demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of pedestrian zones in historic medieval towns. This initiative, the first of its kind, successfully addressed traffic congestion without resorting to the construction of urban motorways or the demolition of ancient buildings, which would have irreparably damaged several historic centres. The approach set a precedent for other towns, preventing further urban decay and preserving the architectural integrity of medieval townscapes. The study highlights the long-term impact of proactive traffic management in safeguarding cultural heritage.
Pervasive Wireless Sensor Networks for the Monitoring of Large Monumental Structures: The Case of the Ancient City Walls of Siena
A novel wireless sensor network solution for real-time monitoring of cracks in large monumental structures, demonstrated on Siena's 1.8 km-long ancient city walls, proves highly effective through laboratory testing. The system employs Hall effect-based sensors and two distinct network topologies to ensure pervasive coverage. This approach offers a scalable and non-invasive method for structural health assessment, with potential deployment imminent.
Watermill principle applied to energy harvesting for sensor nodes in underground environments
A novel energy harvesting system, inspired by the watermill principle, enables autonomous operation of wireless sensor nodes in underground environments. This innovation allows for real-time remote monitoring of critical environmental parameters in historic aqueducts, such as Siena's 'Bottini,' without relying on external power sources. The system leverages water flow to drive an electric motor, coupled with a power control mechanism that manages energy accumulation and consumption. Laboratory tests validated the effectiveness of this approach, demonstrating its potential for long-term, self-sustaining monitoring in culturally significant underground infrastructures.
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