The buildings that are now derelict or too damaged to be viable housing options have been taken over by homeless people. Although at first glance it seems like a better alternative than no place to live at all, these places became hot spots for gang activity that take advantage of the most vulnerable amongst us.... Continue Reading →

Although the issue of buildings with seismic risk often appears in structural engineering literature and catches occasional public interest in media, noticeably absent are studies that establish their architectural, social, and economic value. As a result, I was obliged to draw on literature peripheral to the focus of the thesis and other investigative methods to... Continue Reading →

Source: my own work; Last surviving "mental map" I have from my early flanerie days I am Romanian, from Sibiu (also known as Hermannstadt, in Transilvania). I spent the last two years of my high school education travelling to and from Bucharest every weekend (600km/372mi) to attend drawing classes in preparation for the entrance exam... Continue Reading →

The process of recognising architectural heritage or value is prescribed by detailed legislation.[1] In an interview with Stefania Romascanu, adviser at the Sibiu Department for the  Protection of Culture and Heritage, she described the consultation process as lengthy, often lasting years. If a request is received for a building to be granted the status of... Continue Reading →

Yesterday I attended the Living with Earthquakes conference which focused on the cities of Amandola, L'Aquila, and the March region in Italy. On 24th August 2016, Central Italy was hit by a first earthquake from a series that would last several months and include 9 makor shakes, two of which were Mw 6.0 and 6.5.... Continue Reading →

To make my trips more efficient, I mapped all the known seismic risk buildings - WOW! I didn't even realise the extent of the issue. Please peruse: