Q&A about the vulnerability plan for the Phlegraean Fields

The Extraordinary plan for vulnerability analysis of built-up areas is foreseen by Art. 2 of Decree-Law 140/2023. The Plan provides for a series of urgent measures aimed at coping with the effects of the evolution of bradyseism, including through the use of simplified procedures. Such measures are:
- a seismic microzonation study;
- an analysis of the seismic vulnerability of private buildings aimed at identifying adequate mitigation measures and estimating the related financial requirements;
- an analysis of the seismic vulnerability of public buildings and, as a result, the development of an initial plan of measures for their mitigation;
- an implementation program for seismic and facility monitoring.

These measures refer to the intervention area, which includes part of the municipalities of Bacoli, Naples, and Pozzuoli most affected by bradyseism.

Decree-Law 76/2024 later provided that the implementation of measures on public buildings would fall under the responsibility of a Special Commissioner for the Phlegraean Fields.

For private construction, the extraordinary plan for analyzing the vulnerability of built-up areas provided for an initial comprehensive survey, conducted only from the outside, of ordinary buildings (mainly residential and service buildings) located in the “intervention area”, i.e., in the municipalities of Pozzuoli, Napoli, and Bacoli most affected by the bradyseism, to improve knowledge of the buildings and identify priorities for further investigation using the CARTIS form.

After completing the assessment, a map was created to summarize the results of the activities conducted.

From March 5 to August 31, 2025, citizens could request a free in-depth inspection of their building using the CARTIS form, which was required for subsequent vulnerability classification under simplified procedures.

Citizens living in the areas where the vulnerability analysis for private buildings is carried out can contact their municipality for specific questions. Please contact the Campania Region or the Department of Civil Protection for general information.

The intervention area is the area in which activities under the Extraordinary plan for vulnerability analysis are implemented, i.e., the area in the municipalities of Pozzuoli, Naples, and Bacoli most affected by bradyseism, thus ground deformation and seismicity. Please see the map available here to find out which territories are included in the intervention area.

Vulnerability assessments are carried out using the CARTIS-Edificio form, which provides detailed information on the geometric, architectural, and construction features of buildings, such as the number of floors, design era, and type of structure. This information allows for the assessment of seismic vulnerability using simplified procedures based on the collected data.

The inspections utilize the AeDES form, enabling quick and visual identification of damage to assess the post-seismic habitability of standard buildings (i.e., those without special characteristics).

The purpose of these inspections is to evaluate whether buildings that have been affected or damaged by an earthquake can be safely occupied during an ongoing seismic crisis. The assessments take into account the level of damage sustained. The goal is to swiftly determine if a building is habitable, partially habitable (with or without emergency measures), or uninhabitable, so that appropriate decisions can be made regarding the immediate return of residents.

The CARTIS vulnerability assessment for individual buildings utilizes simplified procedures developed by the scientific community, based on visually detectable data. However, it is important to note that this assessment does not provide seismic verification value as per the 2018 Technical Standards for Construction.

The results of the assessment are categorized into seven vulnerability levels, ranging from A+ (the least vulnerable) to F (the most vulnerable), with the classifications being A+, A, B, C, D, E, and F.

The vulnerability range assigned to a building reflects its capacity to withstand an earthquake. The greater the distance from the A+ classification, the higher the structural vulnerability of the building. Consequently, this indicates a greater need for interventions to ensure the building's structural performance is adequate in the event of an earthquake.

The CARTIS vulnerability result is based solely on the structural features of the building as assessed from the CARTIS form. It does not consider secondary structural elements, such as infill walls and partitions, or non-structural elements like cornices and plaster. Additionally, it does not account for any visible damage or potential hidden faults and serious structural deficiencies in individual buildings that cannot be detected through visual inspection.

Therefore, the vulnerability result should not be interpreted as a safety assessment of the building. A comprehensive safety evaluation can only be provided through seismic tests conducted alongside experimental and modeling studies, following the Technical Standards for Construction.

The CARTIS vulnerability assessment does not predict the specific structural or non-structural damage a building may experience in future earthquakes.

Instead, it offers a general overview of the building's structural vulnerability based on the available data. This information is valuable for determining eligibility for public funds allocated for seismic upgrades as outlined in the 2025 Budget Law.

The 2025 Budget Law has allocated €100 million for anti-seismic measures on private buildings primarily used for residential purposes in areas at risk for bradyseism. This funding includes €20 million each year from 2025 to 2029. However, this contribution is only available for buildings that have not already received financial assistance for damage repairs or seismic upgrades related to the earthquakes of May 2024 and March 2025.

To determine if you qualify for a contribution towards the seismic upgrading of your building, you will need to consult the decree from the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, which is outlined in Budget Law No. 207, enacted on December 30, 2024 (Article 1, paragraph 701). This decree is currently in the process of being issued

No, generally speaking, a negative vulnerability result—even if it indicates high vulnerability levels—does not necessitate the evacuation of the building. However, it is still advisable to take prompt action. Utilize the funding recently provided by the government or your own resources to reduce the building's vulnerability and, in turn, mitigate the seismic risk.

The budget law clearly states that contributions for reducing the seismic vulnerability of private residential buildings cannot be combined with contributions for repairing damage caused by the earthquakes of May 2024 and March 2025. Therefore, if you qualify for both types of contributions, you will need to choose one.

For repairs related to earthquake damage, the contribution will cover 100% of the eligible costs, in accordance with the criteria outlined in the decree of the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies dated December 13, 2024.

In contrast, for interventions aimed at reducing vulnerability, the contribution will cover 50% of the eligible costs, based on the 2025 budget law and the criteria specified in the forthcoming decree of the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies.

The CARTIS building inspection and the subsequent vulnerability report address the entire building rather than individual units.

According to the Extraordinary Plan, an inspection is deemed valid only if at least 40% of the property units in the building are inspected.

As a result, if your apartment was not specifically inspected, but the total number of inspected units meets the 40% requirement outlined in the Extraordinary Plan, the vulnerability assessment applies to the whole building.

The vulnerability result does not specify the type of work needed to reduce a building's vulnerability in the event of an earthquake.

Instead, it provides a preliminary estimate of the building's vulnerability based on available data. This assessment helps determine if the building is eligible for public funds for seismic retrofitting, as outlined in the 2025 Budget Law.

To identify the most suitable intervention for your building, it is essential to consult a trusted expert. This expert will evaluate the building's safety according to the 2018 Technical Standards for Construction. They will conduct the necessary surveys, material investigations, and numerical modeling, ultimately suggesting appropriate seismic upgrades or localized interventions based on the specific needs identified.