An evaluation model for adaptive reuse of cultural heritage in accordance with 2030 SDGs and European Quality Principles

Cultural heritage can play a strategic role in achieving the sustainable development goals, as widely recognized worldwide by the United Nations, UNESCO, ICOMOS, as well as by many regional and national institutions. It is needed to implement the principles stated in international and national recommendations in new approaches and tools, both to preserve the historical assets and revitalize them in a circular economy perspective. The paper discusses the challenges of assigning new uses to abandoned historic buildings that still retain values to be protected and passed on to the future. Specifically, the research proposes an innovative analysis model based on the algorithms of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the employment of evaluation indicators established in accordance with 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European Quality Principles. The model is applied to the case study of Villa Venusio, an 18th century noble house built in Metropolitan Area of Naples (Italy), which is currently in an advanced state of decay and abandonment, awaiting architectural, functional, and technological restoration. This study demonstrates that the proposed model can be essential decision support for the most effective use of historic buildings, by respecting any social, economic, and cultural value. This has important policy implications in the processes of allocating public funding for the rehabilitation of architectural heritage.