On July 5th, 2019, the Final Seminar of the PERSISTAH Project (Seismic Performance of Schools in Cross-Border Territories: Assessment and Retrofitting) was held at the School of Architecture, University of Seville. This important event marked the conclusion of years of collaborative research between Spanish and Portuguese universities and institutions under the INTERREG-POCTEP program.

📚 A Project Focused on School Safety

The PERSISTAH project has focused on assessing and reducing the seismic vulnerability of school buildings located in the Huelva (Spain) and Algarve (Portugal) regions—areas at moderate to high seismic risk. Through a combination of field surveys, structural analysis, and retrofitting proposals, the team worked to establish a methodological framework to prioritize and implement cost-effective, low-impact reinforcements in schools.

🎓 International Collaboration

The seminar brought together researchers, engineers, and public authorities from both sides of the border. Key figures from the University of Seville, University of the Algarve, and regional governments presented results and shared insights on challenges and next steps.

Among the highlights were:

• Presentation of index-based methods for seismic assessment

• Examples of successful pilot studies

• Proposals for replicable retrofitting strategies

• Discussions on integrating the results into public policy and educational infrastructure planning

🧩 Legacy and Impact

PERSISTAH not only delivered a robust research methodology but also contributed to raising awareness among authorities about the need for preventive action in schools and public buildings. Its results are applicable across Southern Europe and represent a scalable solution to a pressing problem in earthquake-prone regions.

🔗 You can learn more about the project here: PERSISTAH Project Overview