Digital survey techniques for improving preservation policies in the historical centre of a medieval alpine village: Vogogna in Ossola valley

Small towns in rural and peripheral areas, both across Europe and around the globe, confront a variety of pressures that cast uncertainty on their future sustainability. In Italy, the small towns and villages nestled in mountainous regions have exhibited a clear trend in recent decades marked by depopulation and economic decline. The restrictions stemming from the pandemic crisis prompted a search for alternative solutions, whether for relaxation or residence in healthier environments away from crowded urban centers. This renewed interest led to the emergence of “proximity tourism,” breathing new vitality into these minor settlements and providing avenues to counteract population loss and negative economic trajectories. Strategies centered on promoting local traditions and embracing alternative lifestyles within historical centers, adorned by natural attractions, have paved the way for novel policies to revitalize and safeguard these minor centers situated in mountainous terrain. To catalyze a strategic revitalization plan for these centers, the formulation of fresh preservation policies and a roadmap to guide future actions is imperative. A multidisciplinary approach stands as a prerequisite to shaping this strategic plan, necessitating a specialized methodology to guide the identification of preservation policies. Within this process, digital technologies emerge as indispensable assets for documenting and mapping the built heritage. This paper delves into the application of digital surveying techniques—such as laser scanning, drones, and 360˚ photogrammetry—within the heart of Vogogna, situated in the Ossola Valley. Specific attention is directed toward various structures lining the main thoroughfare of the city center, scrutinized through a multidimensional lens encompassing historical analysis, advanced survey methods, non-destructive evaluations, and the comprehensive mapping of materials and deterioration patterns. The study underscores the results garnered along the path of knowledge delineated by Italian standards, which outline the fundamental principles underpinning the design of conservation strategies for ancient nuclei. Within this context, the intricate interplay between public and private historical buildings within the city center emerges as a pivotal factor, furnishing distinctive assets that hold the promise of shaping the future utilization and enhancement of the built heritage.