Interdisciplinary Approaches for Assessing the Conservation Status of Abandoned Sites Using Multispectral Images at Different Investigation Scales. The Case Study of the Former Asylum of Rovigo

The study examines the conservation status of the historic Asylum in Rovigo, which was designed in accordance with the "no restraints" theories and the "small village type" architectural model. Construction of the pavilions spanned from 1906 to 1930, reflecting significant developments in the theories for psychiatric architecture of the early 20th century. The investigation aims to assess the current state of the structure and its historical significance within the broader context of institutional architecture in Italy. The site has been under study since 2015 by the Università Iuav di Venezia through institutional research agreements. In collaboration with the CIRCE Geomatics Lab, the methodology implements advanced multispectral imaging techniques to conduct a rigorous analysis of the interactions between overgrown vegetation and the conservation of buildings across various spatial scales combined with historical architectural traces and material sources. The research incorporated a multifaceted approach by integrating topographical analysis, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS), as well as Aerial and Terrestrial Photogrammetry, enhanced with the utilization of multispectral sensor technology. This innovative analytical framework enhances the understanding of the spatial dynamics inherent in the built and natural environments, thereby contributing to the fields of landscape architecture and its preservation. A comprehensive assessment of pavilion roofs has revealed significant conservation challenges at the architectural level and differentiates between deliberate design features and encroaching vegetation while giving the chance to prioritise urgent intervention strategies and related causes. The results offer a transferable model for the conservation of similar large-scale, historically significant sites, emphasising the value of multispectral technologies in addressing challenges posed by abandonment and overgrown vegetation.