ADVANTECHS

prof. Naida Ademović, Ph.D.

University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Civil Engineering (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

website: https://gf.unsa.ba/

From building vulnerability to seismic risk: A multi-scale assessment framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary: This study examines seismic risk in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a lower-middle-income country with a vulnerable building stock, where nearly half of buildings were constructed before 1980 without modern seismic design standards. The research proposes a multi-scale approach that combines rapid seismic risk assessment with building-level vulnerability evaluation. By integrating seismic hazard data, building exposure, and vulnerability functions based on building typologies, the study assesses the spatial distribution of expected damage and risk across the country. The findings show that the areas with the highest seismic hazard are not always those with the highest overall risk, since population density and building characteristics play a major role. In particular, densely populated cities with older masonry buildings may experience severe impacts even when peak ground acceleration values are lower. The study identifies masonry structures as one of the main contributors to seismic risk and highlights the need for targeted retrofitting measures. The proposed framework supports efficient large-scale risk screening and helps prioritize interventions while also promoting sustainable rehabilitation strategies that reduce both seismic risk and environmental impact.

Short biography: Naida Ademović is a Full Professor at the University of Sarajevo-Faculty of Civil Engineering, and an invited speaker in the field of earthquake engineering and structural resilience. Her research focuses on seismic vulnerability, structural assessment, and the behaviour of masonry and reinforced concrete structures under earthquake loading. She has extensive international academic experience, including education at the Ruhr University Bochum, the University of Stuttgart-Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design, the University of Minho, and the University of Padua. She is co-author of the textbook Structural Reinforcements of Masonry Buildings – Methods and Examples, published in cooperation with the University of Osijek, widely used in both education and practice. She has also served as a Visiting Professor at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (UTC), where she delivered invited lectures in structural and earthquake engineering. Her work bridges research and practice in earthquake-resistant design, with a strong focus on structural resilience and risk-informed engineering.
e-mail: naida.ademovic@gf.unsa.ba

prof. Krunoslav Šmit, Ph.D.

Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb (Croatia);
University of Mostar, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

website: https://www.arhitekt.unizg.hr
https://aa-architects.net

Contemporary models of urban transformation and their Implementation in Croatian cities

Summary: The lecture examines the applicability and actual implementation of contemporary models of urban transformation in Croatian cities. The research is based on a catalogue of twenty-two urban transformation models structured into thematic groups including mobility, public space, density and morphology, ecology, infrastructure, and adaptive transformation. Through selected case studies from Croatian cities, the lecture analyses the relationship between theoretical planning models and their spatial implementation, with a particular focus on current urban development processes, planning instruments, and the role of urban design in shaping contemporary cities.

Short biography: Krunoslav Šmit is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, where he teaches courses in urbanism, spatial planning, and urban transformations. He is also affiliated with the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy, University of Mostar. His research focuses on contemporary urban transformation models, housing, public space, and the relationship between architecture, urbanism, and spatial planning. He has participated in numerous scientific, professional, and urban design projects and conferences in Croatia and abroad.
e-mail: krunoslav.smit@arhitekt.hr

prof. Zlatko Zafirovski, Ph.D.

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Civil Engineering (North Macedonia)

website: https://gf.ukim.edu.mk/

Risk analysis and management frameworks in modern civil engineering: The case of tunneling projects

Summary: The concept of risk analysis and management exerts a profound influence and finds widespread application across various socio-economic sectors. Today, within the field of civil engineering—particularly in the execution of mega-infrastructure projects—the systematic evaluation of risk represents a critical operational imperative that can no longer be bypassed, delayed, or underestimated. While academic literature offers diverse conceptual frameworks and definitions of what constitutes a “risk”, it is essential that every engineering challenge is reviewed individually, accounting for its unique spatial, environmental, and structural constraints. In tunneling engineering, uncertainties and hazards are perpetually present due to inherently unpredictable geological formations, complex hydrological conditions, and changing geotechnical parameters. Consequently, the development and implementation of advanced mitigation measures and dynamic risk management frameworks are vital to ensuring structural integrity, worker safety, economic viability, and adherence to strict project schedules. This paper comprehensively reviews contemporary methodologies for identifying, quantifying, and managing subsurface risks, providing a strategic blueprint for minimizing adverse impacts and optimizing decision-making in complex tunneling projects.

Short biography: Zlatko Zafirovski is a civil engineer with a PhD in Civil Engineering and more than 18 years of professional experience in transport infrastructure, railway engineering, tunnelling, and geotechnics. He obtained his BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Civil Engineering. Throughout his career, he has worked as a responsible engineer and expert on numerous national and international projects in North Macedonia and Montenegro, focusing on design, revision, supervision, and management of railway infrastructure, tunnels, bridges, and road construction projects. He also has extensive experience in project implementation under FIDIC contract conditions. He is a member of several professional associations in the fields of structural engineering, geotechnics, and tunnelling and is the author/co-author of numerous scientific papers published and presented at international conferences in the areas of transport infrastructure, tunnelling, and civil engineering.
e-mail: zafirovski@gf.ukim.edu.mk