Satellite-based protection of cultural heritage from landslide risk

The protection of cultural heritage buildings (CHB) against slow-moving landslides has become increasingly urgent due to climate change exacerbating these threats. Among CHB, historic masonry churches (HMC) warrant special attention due to their global spread, high risk exposure, and high vulnerability to slow-moving landslides.SLIDE addresses this challenge by using an interdisciplinary approach that combines remote sensing, structural and numerical analysis, and soil-structure interaction modeling. For the first time, the project will thoroughly characterize and model the action of slow-moving landslides on HMC using remote sensing techniques. It will also enhance understanding of the structural response of HMC to slow-moving landslides and develop tools for damage prediction at a territorial scale.Implemented at TU Delft under the supervision of Prof. Giorgia Giardina and benefiting from a secondment at UNIGE under the co-supervision of Prof. Chiara Calderini, SLIDE is designed to support Dr Ferrero in achieving her career objectives. The project will enable her to acquire new scientific and transferable skills. Additionally, it will strengthen her international network and enhance her ability to secure research funding, aiding her development towards an independent research position.In the long term, SLIDE aims to: (i) generate new insights into the structural response of CHB to slow-moving landslides, (ii) enhance policymaking and enable timely damage prediction and interventions, (iii) promote the design of new strengthening measures to reduce the vulnerability of CHB, and (iv) raise public awareness about the importance of CHB protection. Through these efforts, SLIDE will mitigate damage from slow-moving landslides to CHB, contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage. In doing so, the project will also support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the European Union’s commitment to safeguarding heritage buildings.