Digital Prototyping and Regenerative Design Toward Carbon-Neutrality and a Climate Resilient Built Environment: A Multi-Scale Assessment of Environmental Multi-Risks

This study addresses the urgent need to move the construction sector toward carbon neutrality and climate resilience, by considering the increasingly intense impacts of climate change. The research aims to evaluate the application of advanced digital prototyping tools and regenerative design principles to identify environmental risks at different scales, with a particular focus on cultural and natural heritage. The hypothesis is that the integration of climate data and predictive models with regenerative design can overcome existing barriers to sustainable practices and significantly enhance the adaptive capacity of the built environment, particularly in safeguarding cultural and natural heritage against the multi-hazard impacts of climate change. To test this hypothesis, an experimental study is conducted using a combination of climate data, advanced modeling and regenerative design tools to assess and manage multi-hazard impacts on cultural and natural heritage. Two case studies were analyzed: Palizzi Marina, a coastal town vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding, and Palazzo Mesiani in Bova, a historic building exposed to increased solar radiation and temperatures. This type of analysis has enabled a comprehensive multi-scenario and multi-hazard assessment that offers a detailed overview of the risks to be considered in the design phase. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and emerging technologies in resilient design frameworks. By integrating climate data and predictive models with regenerative design methodologies, this study can significantly contribute to enhancing the adaptive capacity of the built environment. This approach aids in the transition of the construction sector toward sustainability and climate resilience, particularly in protecting cultural and natural heritage.