Information Systems for the Environment and Territory

Module Geomatics for Spatial Planning

The course provides the necessary concepts for using innovative geomatic techniques in territorial planning.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The knowledge and skills acquired will be essential for interpreting the metric and informational content of maps across various active reference systems and scales of representation, while also adhering to current regulations. Furthermore, the course covers the fundamentals of hardware and software technologies for spatial data management and analysis, as well as the use of remote sensing. Additionally, the course aims to provide methodologies to enhance education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity regarding climate change—specifically concerning mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning systems and to promote innovative surveying technologies that improve the capacity for effective climate-related planning and management, in alignment with Agenda 2030 Goals 4 and 13.

Making judgments

Encouraging students to select design solutions that utilize geomatics and innovative technologies for spatial data management.

Communication skills

Encouraging students to the technical dialogue within the class group.

Learning skills

Encouraging students to independently pursue further study related to the course and the technologies covered, and/or to keep their knowledge up to date.

Lectures, practical exercises, use of surveying equipment, spatial data management software, and use of remote sensing data.

Should the course be delivered in a hybrid or remote format, necessary adjustments to the previously stated arrangements may be introduced to ensure the planned curriculum outlined in the syllabus is covered.

1. Elements of geodesy. Reference surfaces: geoid, spheroid, ellipsoid. Coordinate systems: Cartesian, geocentric, and ellipsoidal geodetic. Geodetic datum. Datum and reference system transformations. Global, continental, and national geodetic datums and reference systems. Operational geodesy: geodetic and topographic domains.
2. Fundamentals of cartography. General concepts of cartography. Deformation moduls and map classification. Analog and digital cartography. Geometric characteristics and parameters of the Gauss map projection. Official Italian cartography (I.G.M.I.). Regional Technical Maps. Large-scale technical maps. Thematic maps. The network of trigonometric stations of various orders and the I.G.M.I. fundamental leveling network. The IGM95 station network. The new national reference system and the National Dynamic Network (RDN). Cadastral mapping. Map production methods. Generation of orthophotomaps and Digital Terrain Models (DTM). Satellite imagery (overview). Geographic Information Systems (overview).
3. Elements of error theory. Origins of measurement dispersion. One-dimensional statistical variables. Discrete and continuous random variables. Direct measurements viewed as continuous random variables drawn from a population of possible measurements. The Gaussian normal distribution. Estimation of the mean, the variance, and the variance of the mean. Law of variance propagation for a quantity expressed as a linear or general function of directly measurable quantities. Indirect measurements.
4. Surveying instruments and measurement methods. Quantities to be measured. Review of geometric optics. The surveying telescope. Structure of the theodolite. Setting up the theodolite. Adjustment and setup conditions and associated residual errors. Systematic errors in angle measurement. Bessel's rule. Measurement of azimuth and zenith angles. Direct distance measurement. Electro-optical distance meters. Reduction of distance to the horizon and to the reference surface. Measurement of elevation differences. The level. Conditions for use and adjustment of the level. Simple and compound geometric leveling. Trigonometric leveling. The laser scanner.
5. Topographic surveying methods. Planning the topographic survey: control network, densification, and detail survey. Survey design based on the objective and specified tolerances. Planimetric surveying. Technical triangulation. Traverses (constrained, closed).
6. Satellite positioning. Principles of satellite positioning. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and the organization of the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems. Pseudorange and phase measurements. GPS system errors and observation equations. Positioning techniques. Absolute, relative, and differential positioning. Permanent station networks and services provided.
7. Spatial data. Structure of spatially referenced data, hardware and software for spatial data management, examples of spatially referenced data for environmental monitoring, introduction to GIS technology.
8. Principles of remote sensing. Physical principles of remote sensing, active and passive sensors used in remote sensing, and examples of remote sensing applications for environmental monitoring. Pixel-based classification.

• Written and oral formats;
• In-course assessments.
• Assessment may also be conducted online, should conditions require it.

In addition, the knowledge acquired regarding the use of the technologies and software platforms employed during the course will be evaluated.

The grading follows this scheme:

Not suitable

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Significant deficiencies and inaccuracies.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Negligible. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Threshold levels reached, but with evident imperfections.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient skills.

Use of references: Barely appropriate.

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Knowledge slightly above the minimum requirement.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Correct analytical and synthesis skills, slightly above the passing level; arguments are logical and coherent.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Good knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Good analytical and synthesis skills. Arguments are expressed and addressed coherently.

Use of references: Uses standard references.

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Very good knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Strong analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: In-depth exploration of the topics.

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the subject: Excellent knowledge.

Analytical and synthesis skills: Strong analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references: Significant and substantial in-depth analysis.