Multi-risk analysis on European cultural and natural UNESCO heritage sites

A multi-criteria risk analysis identifies the Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches as one of Europe's most critical UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) due to seismic hazards, particularly in Mediterranean regions. The study introduces a new UNESCO Risk Index (URI), which quantifies risk by combining hazard levels—such as landsliding, seismic shaking, and volcanic activity—with potential damage factors. These factors account for site type, position relative to ground, and hazard specificity. Applied both at the site level and within individual properties, this method reveals varying risk zones even within a single WHS. The approach underscores the significance of seismic risks in shaping heritage vulnerability across Europe.

Valagussa, A., Frattini, P., Crosta, G., Spizzichino, D., Leoni, G., & Margottini, C. (2020). Multi-risk analysis on European cultural and natural UNESCO heritage sites. Natural Hazards, 105(3), 2659–2676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-020-04417-7