Behavioural Simulation for Built Heritage Use Planning

This paper presents a system for simulating human behaviour in built heritage artefacts aimed at supporting the decision-making processes for their possible re-use. Its goal is to predict the mutual influence between the occupancy phenomena and the architectural heritage environment, in order to optimise the balance between efficiency requirements of spaces and preservation needs of the heritage artefact. The proposed system is based on the integration of a BIM environment with a game engine that allows the modelling of the built environment and the simulation of its use phenomena at the same time. A central role in the systems is played by the distribution of Artificial Intelligence among Virtual Users, process entities (the activities) and the building components, ensuring the coherent representation of the use processes and the direct measurement of their impact on the artefact.