What are the differences between the performance-based and prescriptive-based approaches to seismic retrofitting?

The prescriptive-based approach to seismic retrofitting involves the following specific guidelines and regulations which are established by building codes or other standards organizations.

In other words. The performance-based approach entails evaluating the building’s performance objectives and designing retrofitting measures to meet those objectives.
The performance-based approach allows for greater flexibility as well as creativity in retrofitting design, whereas the prescriptive-based approach is more straightforward and standardized.