Innovazione digitale e Protocollo Envision: un nuovo approccio per la valutazione della sostenibilità delle infrastrutture esistenti

The transition to a resilient and sustainable city through an adaptive approach involves a radical transformation involving all aspects of urban life and the design process toward a multidisciplinary approach. New digital technologies can enhance the process by facilitating dialogue and collaboration between disciplines. Rapid technological progress and the increasing growth of industrial sectors require the upgrading of today's infrastructure. Therefore, while engineering development is essential, control systems are needed to mitigate adverse effects on the environment. The importance of infrastructure is recognized, but there is a need to approach the problem with a broader view, intercepting future problems and not just current ones. The Envision protocol is a critical tool that can be used to assess the sustainability of infrastructure and identify weaknesses that can be improved. This paper aims to evaluate the use of digital innovations and the Envision Certification Protocol in existing infrastructure. Specifically, the Genoa Elevated Highway, an iconic infrastructure for the city, was chosen as a case. The intent is to highlight its potential and to identify an approach that can be a starting point for local government to improve the sustainability of an infrastructure that no longer seems to be keeping up with the times. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in city development, underpins personal safety and public health, and impacts our communities’ economic vitality and competitiveness. The challenges of infrastructure investments are an essential point for a sustainable, low-impact future. Given their long life, it is necessary that sustainability aspects, in the broadest sense of the term, be evaluated in the design process of construction or redevelopment.