Constructive features and seismic vulnerability of historic centres through the rapid assessment of historic building stocks. The experience of Ferrara, Italy

During the earthquake emergency which involved Emilia Romagna Region (Italy) since 20th of May 2012, the Italian Civil Protection Department (DPC) undertook, with prevention purposes, an extensive survey on the ordinary buildings of the historic centre of the town of Ferrara, around 30 km far from the epicentral area. The activity, carried out in close cooperation with local authorities, was aimed at enhancing the seismic emergency response of the town in case of a possible further seismic event, as well as collecting technical information on the structural characteristics of the buildings, to be elaborated and hence used for further prevention purposes. Innovative element of the project was the use of two joint survey operative tools, consisting of the AeDES form used by DPC for post-earthquake usability assessments (2007) and AS form (specific for historical building blocks) which have been experimentally combined in this occasion. Activities were coordinated by DPC and carried out in collaboration with the Architecture Department of the University of Ferrara, which provided an operative and scientific support in the whole development of the work.