DBMS and GIS for the knowledge of the Ferrania (post) industrial site (Savona, Italy) within the Land-in-pro research project

The documentation of (post)industrial sites and landscapes is essential for recognising, understanding, and addressing preservation initiatives that focus on heritage values associated with them. The paper focuses on the former chemical industrial site in Ferrania (Cairo Montenotte, Savona), Italy, a pilot site for the Land-In-Pro project and discusses the development of a methodological framework using DataBase Management Systems (DBMS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These tools are employed for data digitisation, identification, and documentation, aiming to combine archival research and fieldwork data into a coherent geodatabase. The paper discusses the workflow developed within the context of the ongoing Land-In-Pro research project, defining the structure of the GIS project, future phases, and expected outcomes. The research advocates for an interdisciplinary methodology to enhance the understanding of (post)industrial landscapes. The creation of a webGIS platform is proposed to democratise access to information, supporting research, education, and heritage conservation. The main objective of this contribution is to show how a series of diverse research data, deriving from archives consultation and fieldwork activities, can be combined and systematically harmonised to document and trace the changes of a former industrial site.