CONVENERS:

Stefano Morelli, Claudio Margottini, Daniele Spizzichino, Luhui Li

Tangible Cultural Heritage serves as a cornerstone in shaping collective memory and identity. However, immovable heritage sites frequently face risks from natural hazard, such as landslides, floods, hurricane and earthquakes, as well as anthropogenic threats stemming from structural fragility, inappropriate urban development, or intentional destruction (e.g. conflict, vandalism). Protecting cultural heritage from these events contributes to building a sense of belonging, strengthens the bond between generations, and fosters sustainable development at worldwide level. Effective conservation requires collaboration across disciplines and community involvement to ensure the long-term sustainability of these valuable resources. The complexity and variety of cultural heritage requires the collaboration of various skills to ensure their effective protection from emergency situations to ordinary subsequent condition of evolution and therefore enhancement over time. This can be achieved through working approaches that consider the physical characteristics of the site (topography, geomorphological-geological, and lithological context), the structural characteristics of the cultural property and their connections, as well as the type of the related hazards. To develop an effective operative strategy, the overarching methodology should begin with targeted remote-sensing initiatives and comprehensive on-site investigations aimed at the adoption of low environmental impact monitoring systems up to the implementation of sustainable mitigation and valorisation measures. These must be complemented by laboratory analyses, rock and soil mechanics studies, and stability modelling, integrating traditional and cutting-edge approaches.

The aim of this session is to invite high‑quality, original contributions and case studies focusing on the protection and ultimate conservation of tangible cultural heritage sites that are exposed to landslide hazards. The session highlights the significance of the procedures employed during the various phases of intervention and management. Particular attention will be given to the full range of established and innovative techniques capable of ensuring the long‑term sustainability of the actions undertaken.