A multipurpose method for seismic vulnerability assessment of urban areas

The present work outlines a methodological framework for “ordering” through progressive levels of analyses different evaluation models concerning the seismic vulnerability at urban scale, with respect to the possible final objectives: seismic scenarios, emergency or urban planning, as far as seismic mitigation or economical estimates. The research work has been developed within the URBISIT Project, funded by Italian Civil Department (DPC). The paper illustrates the general framework governing each assessment level and the mutual relation between each of them. Following, each level of analyses is systematically described also through some recent applications, carried out on some representative Italian urban centres. In the end, a correlation among different assessment levels is carried out in order to better focus the usability of each model as well as its reliability with respect to the possible objectives. Finally some conclusions are drawn and possible development of the research outlined.