Trying to break new ground in aerial archaeology

Aerial reconnaissance continues to be a vital tool for landscape-oriented archaeological research. Although a variety of remote sensing platforms operate within the earth’s atmosphere, the majority of aerial archaeological information is still derived from oblique photographs collected during observer-directed reconnaissance flights, a prospection approach which has dominated archaeological aerial survey for the past century. The resulting highly biased imagery is generally catalogued in sub-optimal (spatial) databases, if at all, after which a small selection of images is orthorectified and interpreted. For decades, this has been the standard approach. Although many innovations, including digital cameras, inertial units, photogrammetry and computer vision algorithms, geographic(al) information systems and computing power have emerged, their potential has not yet been fully exploited in order to re-invent and highly optimise this crucial branch of landscape archaeology. The authors argue that a fundamental change is needed to transform the way aerial archaeologists approach data acquisition and image processing. By addressing the very core concepts of geographically biased aerial archaeological photographs and proposing new imaging technologies, data handling methods and processing procedures, this paper gives a personal opinion on how the methodological components of aerial archaeology, and specifically aerial archaeological photography, should evolve during the next decade if developing a more reliable record of our past is to be our central aim. In this paper, a possible practical solution is illustrated by outlining a turnkey aerial prospection system for total coverage survey together with a semi-automated back-end pipeline that takes care of photograph correction and image enhancement as well as the management and interpretative mapping of the resulting data products. In this way, the proposed system addresses one of many bias issues in archaeological research: the bias we impart to the visual record as a result of selective coverage. While the total coverage approach outlined here may not altogether eliminate survey bias, it can vastly increase the amount of useful information captured during a single reconnaissance flight while mitigating the discriminating effects of observer-based, on-the-fly target selection. Furthermore, the information contained in this paper should make it clear that with current technology it is feasible to do so. This can radically alter the basis for aerial prospection and move landscape archaeology forward, beyond the inherently biased patterns that are currently created by airborne archaeological prospection

Freshwater ecosystem services in mining regions : modelling options for policy development support

The ecosystem services (ES) approach offers an integrated perspective of social-ecological systems, suitable for holistic assessments of mining impacts. Yet for ES models to be policy-relevant, methodological consensus in mining contexts is needed. We review articles assessing ES in mining areas focusing on freshwater components and policy support potential. Twenty-six articles were analysed concerning (i) methodological complexity (data types, number of parameters, processes and ecosystem-human integration level) and (ii) potential applicability for policy development (communication of uncertainties, scenario simulation, stakeholder participation and management recommendations). Articles illustrate mining impacts on ES through valuation exercises mostly. However, the lack of ground-and surface-water measurements, as well as insufficient representation of the connectivity among soil, water and humans, leave room for improvements. Inclusion of mining-specific environmental stressors models, increasing resolution of topographies, determination of baseline ES patterns and inclusion of multi-stakeholder perspectives are advantageous for policy support. We argue that achieving more holistic assessments exhorts practitioners to aim for high social-ecological connectivity using mechanistic models where possible and using inductive methods only where necessary. Due to data constraints, cause-effect networks might be the most feasible and best solution. Thus, a policy-oriented framework is proposed, in which data science is directed to environmental modelling for analysis of mining impacts on water ES

3D Data Processing Toward Maintenance and Conservation. The Integrated Digital Documentation of Casa de Vidro

During the last decade, 3D integrated surveys and BIM modelling procedures have greatly improved the overall knowledge on some Brazilian Modernist buildings. In this framework, the Casa de Vidro 3D survey carried out by DIAPReM centre at Ferrara University, beside the important outputs, analysis and researches achieved from the point cloud database processing, was also useful to test several awareness increasing activities in cooperation with local stakeholders. The first digital documentation test of the Casa de Vidro allowed verifying the feasibility of a full survey on the building towards the restoration and possible placement of new architectures into the garden as an archive-museum of the Lina Bo and P.M. Bardi Foundation. Later, full 3D integrated survey and diagnostic analysis were carried out to achieve the total digital documentation of the house sponsored by the Keeping it Modern initiative of Getty Foundation (Los Angeles). Following its characteristics, the survey had to take into consideration the different architectural features, up to the relationship of architecture and nature. These 3D documentation activities and the point cloud processing allowed several analysis in a multidisciplinary framework

Valuation to Foster-up Landscape Preservation. Treasuring New Elements through Landscape Planning

Objective. This research aims to drown up guidelines and a methodological approach for natural cultural heritage preservation and landscape planning in order to support the setting up and the enforcement of new policies to mitigate paysage destruction and soil consumption.Methodological Steps. The first step is the detection of “landscape values” in the territories.The second step is to provide georeferenced information in a double geographic and valuation systemThe third step is the Multi Criteria Analysis valuation of categories and sub-categories of paysage resources in order to classify the landscape elements in each category.Case Study. The framework and the methodology have been tested in a real world case study located in one of the most amazing area of Southern Italy.Outcomes. The outcome is an extensive survey of the paysage, classification, and valuation. A multi-dimensional valuation procedure has established a priority classification. Planned interventions should be dictated by resource ranking and hierarchy in the classifications described below: the safeguarding of the elements of greatest value; the preservation of the elements of great value; the ecological conservation of medium valued elements. La valutazione per promuovere la tutela dei paesaggi. Valorizzare nuovi elementi con la pianificazione paesaggisticaObiettivo. Il contributo ha l’obiettivo di delineare le linee guida e un approccio metodologico per la valorizzazione del paessaggio e la pianificazione di politiche per mitigare la distruzione dei valori paesaggistici provocata dal continuo consumo di suolo agricolo, forestale, naturale.Metodologia. Prima tappa è l’individuazione dei valori paesaggistici nei territori.Seconda tappa è il geo riferimento dei dati sia nel sistema informativo geografico, sia nel sistema valutativo.Terza tappa è la valutazione paesaggistica a Criteri Multipli Di elementi e la loro classificazione gerarchica.Case Study. La Strategia e la Metodologia sono state testate in Casi di Studio applicate ad alcune delle più suggestive aree paesaggistiche dell’Italia Meridionale.Risultati. I risultati sono esteso censimento totale, tassonomia, valutazione dei valori paesaggistici. La classificazione gerarchica dei valori è elaborata con la multi criteria valuation. Ne consegue una gerarchia e gradualità di tutele sintetizzata come segue (a soli fini esemplificativi): protezione elementi con massimi valori paesaggistici; tutela elementi con buoni valori paesaggistici; conservazione elementi con medi valori paesaggistici.Objective. This research aims to drown up guidelines and a methodological approach for natural cultural heritage preservation and landscape planning in order to support the setting up and the enforcement of new policies to mitigate paysage destruction and soil consumption.Methodological Steps. The first step is the detection of “landscape values” in the territories.The second step is to provide georeferenced information in a double geographic and valuation systemThe third step is the Multi Criteria Analysis valuation of categories and sub-categories of paysage resources in order to classify the landscape elements in each category.Case Study. The framework and the methodology have been tested in a real world case study located in one of the most amazing area of Southern Italy.Outcomes. The outcome is an extensive survey of the paysage, classification, and valuation. A multi-dimensional valuation procedure has established a priority classification. Planned interventions should be dictated by resource ranking and hierarchy in the classifications described below: the safeguarding of the elements of greatest value; the preservation of the elements of great value; the ecological conservation of medium valued elements. La valutazione per promuovere la tutela dei paesaggi. Valorizzare nuovi elementi con la pianificazione paesaggisticaObiettivo. Il contributo ha l’obiettivo di delineare le linee guida e un approccio metodologico per la valorizzazione del paessaggio e la pianificazione di politiche per mitigare la distruzione dei valori paesaggistici provocata dal continuo consumo di suolo agricolo, forestale, naturale.Metodologia. Prima tappa è l’individuazione dei valori paesaggistici nei territori.Seconda tappa è il geo riferimento dei dati sia nel sistema informativo geografico, sia nel sistema valutativo.Terza tappa è la valutazione paesaggistica a Criteri Multipli Di elementi e la loro classificazione gerarchica.Case Study. La Strategia e la Metodologia sono state testate in Casi di Studio applicate ad alcune delle più suggestive aree paesaggistiche dell’Italia Meridionale.Risultati. I risultati sono esteso censimento totale, tassonomia, valutazione dei valori paesaggistici. La classificazione gerarchica dei valori è elaborata con la multi criteria valuation. Ne consegue una gerarchia e gradualità di tutele sintetizzata come segue (a soli fini esemplificativi): protezione elementi con massimi valori paesaggistici; tutela elementi con buoni valori paesaggistici; conservazione elementi con medi valori paesaggistici

Human Smart Landscape: An Adaptive and Synergistic Approach for the “National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni”

AbstractThe concept of human smart landscape introduces a perspective of research where the landscape identifies a complex system of relationships among the various smart dimensions (smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment, smart people, smart living, smart governance) and different interpretative approaches, overcoming the consideration of territory as a physical–geometrical reality at the service of economic aspects. The paper, starting from the evolution of the landscape's concept, focuses on the management of its complexity in the transformation processes included in the dynamic context of the landscape's cultural values and in the development strategies designed to support and strengthen these values. A multidimensional methodological framework, oriented to the evaluation and valorisation of landscape complex values, has been structured and tested in the National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni (Italy)

Built environment recovery and maintenance: researches in post-graduate education

The comparison between building and environmental recovery and sustainable development has generated, in recent years, a broad debate on the role that technological innovation plays in triggering processes of sustainable rehabilitation, aimed toward economic efficiency, social equity, environmental protection and preservation of the cultural identity of existing settlements. The text develops the issues related to the urban and environmental recovery, dealing with a new scientific approach to mitigate the vulnerability of the cities, using conservation and transformation actions, compatible with the heritage to be recovered. Furthermore, the text addresses Ph.D. training, responding to the demand for researchers and professionals, able to plan the recovery and maintenance design

Territorial identity as a strategic resource for the development of rural areas

Rural areas play a relevant role in the EU: their specific ecosystems, landscapes and cultures are a highly valuable treasure, which could be lost if the trends of social, economic and demographic marginalization characterizing many of them are not properly faced. The rural development policy for the period 2007-13 (Reg. 1698/2005) gave particular relevance to the "Leader approach" developed in the previous period 2000-2006, or to the "development and implementation of highly individual projects designed and executed by local partnerships to address specific local problems”. For the next programming period (2014-2020) decision makers should be provided with a framework of the actual situation resulting from such interventions, in order to overcome the problems that emerged in the previous phases and to propose innovative strategies and solutions. After an introduction on the issue of the close relations between local identity and European rural development policies, the paper presents critically the contributions discussed at Session 32 ("Rural development policy and local identities in the European Union ") of the Fourth Congress EUGEO (Rome, 12 to 14 September 2013), and collected in the special issue of this journal