Patrimonio culturale ecclesiastico, rischio e prevenzione. Analisi e politiche territoriali per un approccio multiscalare al rischio sismico

The document is the result of the interdisciplinary approach conducted in R3C about the topic of Risk - Analysis of Territorial Vulnerabilities. This is the first outcome of the research cluster on "Preserving cultural heritage". This contribute was presented on the Study-day titled "The care of people and things. The seismic risk" (Napoli, 17 September 2018). It is the methodological premise to the research project "BCE-RPR. Ecclesiastical cultural heritage: risk assessment and planning of prevention and regeneration" started in April 2019 and conducted by R3C and the National Office for Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage and Religious Building of the Italian Conference of Bishops [Ufficio Nazionale per i Beni Culturali Ecclesiastici e l’Edilizia di Culto della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana] . The risk condition of the Italian religious cultural heritage requires attention by scientific and local communities to deep and conduct efficient large-scale planning activities. This contribute highlights some theoretical aspects of the matter, and their practical consequences, particularly focused on the seismic risk prevention for ecclesiastical cultural heritage.  This is a large portion of the national cultural heritage (as reported in art. 9 of Italian Constitution) and for this reason, its relevance goes beyond the religious values. In particular, the contribute deals with the numerous Italian churches that are underused or marginal respects to the urban contexts, and therefore threatened by the consequences of lack of maintenance - of both the objects and the territories-  and abandonment. This situation aggravates the risk condition to which they are subject.  The first part of the contribute tries to introduce the relation between prevention and community responsibility (§2.1), risk and cultural heritage (§2.2) and risk and ecclesiastical cultural heritage. Then, the second part is focused on the seismic risk that is particularly high in Italy. A possible social role of the churches widespread on the territory in the seismic prevention planning is discussed through the analysis of the norms in force (§4). In conclusion, some possible multi-scale scenarios (national, regional/diocesan and parish/inter-parish) to design strategies of prevention for ecclesiastical heritage are presented, by considering the feasibility and the sustainability of initiatives.