1) Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire theoretical and applied knowledge of soil bioengineering techniques and their use in soil conservation, river restoration, slope stabilization, environmental rehabilitation of degraded or contaminated sites, mitigation of the environmental impacts of infrastructure, and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Particular attention will be devoted to the principles, design criteria, and applications of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM), and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for climate change adaptation, hydraulic and hydrogeological risk mitigation, water quality improvement, biodiversity enhancement, and landscape restoration. Students will also gain knowledge of the technical, ecological, and regulatory aspects related to the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law and other European strategies for ecosystem restoration.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to analyse the physical, hydrological, geomorphological, ecological, and landscape characteristics of a site and identify the most appropriate soil bioengineering solutions for hydraulic and hydrogeological risk mitigation, environmental restoration, and landscape rehabilitation. They will acquire practical skills for the preliminary design and planning of interventions based on living plant materials, natural and traditional construction materials, as well as NbS, NWRM, and SuDS approaches applicable in urban, peri-urban, rural, and forested environments, with particular reference to Mediterranean conditions.

3) Making judgements: Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate alternative design solutions by considering technical, environmental, ecological, landscape, economic, and management aspects. They will be able to select the most appropriate interventions according to site characteristics, risk mitigation objectives, expected ecosystem services, and the sustainability and resilience criteria promoted by current European environmental policies.

4) Communication skills: Students will acquire the technical and scientific terminology required for soil bioengineering, ecological design, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management. Through practical exercises, seminars, and case-study discussions, they will develop the ability to effectively communicate and justify design solutions to both specialists and non-specialists involved in planning, environmental management, and decision-making processes.

5) Learning skills: Students will develop autonomous learning and lifelong learning skills, acquiring the ability to critically consult technical manuals, guidelines, regulations, and national and international scientific literature. These skills will enable them to keep pace with developments in Nature-Based Solutions, Natural Water Retention Measures, Sustainable Drainage Systems, ecological restoration strategies, and emerging approaches to climate adaptation and environmental resilience.

6) Contribution to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development 

Goal No. 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITARY SERVICES

6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

6.a By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity building in support of developing countries on water and related sanitation, including water harvesting systems, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

11.b By 2020, significantly increase the number of cities and human settlements that adopt and implement integrated policies and plans towards inclusiveness, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience, development and implementation, in line with the ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’, comprehensive disaster risk management at all levels

GOAL 13: COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.2 Integrating climate change mitigation measures into national policies, strategies and plans

13.3 Improve education, awareness and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.b Promote mechanisms to increase capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states focusing, inter alia, on women, youth and local and marginalised communities 

GOAL 14: LIFE UNDER WATER

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine litter and nutrient pollution of waters

14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by enhancing their resilience and taking action for their restoration, in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

GOAL 15: LIFE ON EARTH

15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soils, including land affected by desertification, drought and flooding, and strive to achieve a world without land degradation

15.5 Take urgent and significant measures to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt biodiversity loss and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Modalities:

-          lecture

-          dedicated seminar

-          study visit

-          study materials

The course, corresponding to 6 ECTS credits, consists of a total of 63 hours of teaching activities, including 21 hours of lectures and 42 hours of practical exercises.

Teaching activities will be delivered through lectures supported by multimedia tools and projection equipment. Practical exercises will focus on the application of the topics covered during the course and will include the use of electronic spreadsheets and specific open-source software for territorial, hydrological, and design analyses.

The course will also include seminars delivered by professionals and experts in the field, aimed at presenting case studies, practical experiences, and technical innovations in soil bioengineering, Nature-Based Solutions, and sustainable land management. Subject to organizational and logistical requirements, technical field visits will be organized to examine completed or ongoing projects, allowing students to directly observe the techniques and design solutions discussed during the course.

Students are expected to have basic knowledge of physics, hydraulics, and hydrology, with particular reference to the principles of fluid mechanics, runoff generation processes, and discharge assessment.

Good familiarity with common computer applications is required, particularly with the use of electronic spreadsheets for data processing and analysis. Basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), preferably using open-source software, is also required for the territorial analysis and design activities included in the course.

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and applied knowledge required for the design, implementation, and management of soil bioengineering interventions for soil conservation, river engineering works, hydraulic and hydrogeological risk mitigation, renaturalization and rehabilitation of degraded or contaminated areas (landfills, quarries, abandoned industrial sites, etc.), as well as the mitigation of environmental impacts resulting from the construction of infrastructures and civil engineering works.

Particular attention will be devoted to traditional soil bioengineering techniques based on the use of living plant materials and natural or traditional construction materials (wood, stone, steel, biodegradable geosynthetics, etc.), with emphasis on their design, sizing, construction, and management criteria within Mediterranean environments.

The course will also provide advanced knowledge of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and their role in the transition towards sustainable and resilient land management models. In this context, the principles and applications of Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) will be examined as tools for sustainable stormwater management, runoff reduction, increased water retention, hydraulic risk mitigation, water quality improvement, and enhancement of ecosystem services in urban, peri-urban, and rural environments.

The course will also address ecological and functional restoration interventions for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, wastewater treatment and reuse through natural systems such as constructed wetlands and waste stabilization ponds, as well as the most recent European strategies for the restoration of degraded ecosystems envisaged by the Nature Restoration Law (Regulation EU 2024/1991).

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the knowledge required to identify, evaluate, and design integrated soil bioengineering interventions and nature-based solutions capable of combining hydraulic and hydrogeological safety, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and landscape enhancement.

1. Lecture notes and teaching materials distributed during the course.
2. Ferro V. La sistemazione dei bacini idrografici. McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition, 2006.
3. Ferro V. Elementi di idraulica e idrologia per le scienze agrarie, ambientali e forestali. McGraw-Hill, 2013.
4. Schiechtl H.M., Stern R. Ingegneria naturalistica. Manuale delle costruzioni idrauliche. Edizioni ARCA, 1997.
5. APAT Manuals. Atlante delle opere di sistemazione dei versanti. Rome, No. 10/2002.
6. Available at: https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/contentfiles/00003400/3486-atlante-versanti-2edizione.pdf
7. APAT Manuals. Atlante delle opere di sistemazione fluviale. Rome, No. 27/2003.
8. Available at: https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/contentfiles/00003400/3494-atlante-delle-opere-di-sistemazione-fluviale.pdf
9. AA.VV. Infrastrutture verdi per la gestione delle acque. Quaderni CSEI Catania, Volume No. 17.
10. AA.VV. Il verde pensile in ambito mediterraneo: dalla progettazione alla gestione. Quaderni CSEI, Volume No. 36.
11. AA.VV. La rinaturalizzazione dei corsi d’acqua in ambito mediterraneo: metodologie e casi di studio. Quaderni CSEI Catania, Volume No. 52.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

The evaluation follows the following scheme 

• Determination of the drainage basin area and its main morphometric characteristics.

• Calculation of the time of concentration of a small watershed.

• Estimation of peak discharge in a small watershed using the Rational Method and the SCS-CN Method.

• Determination of the equilibrium slope of a torrential stream.

• Hydraulic design of transverse hydraulic control structures, with particular reference to check dams and rock ramps.

• Description, selection criteria, and application of the main soil bioengineering techniques belonging to the categories of revetment, stabilization, and reinforcement.

• Analysis and design of hydraulic risk mitigation measures in urban and peri-urban areas through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).

• Principles of hydraulic and hydrological invariance and their application in the design of sustainable drainage interventions.

• Preliminary design and sizing criteria for rain gardens and green roofs for sustainable stormwater management.

• Assessment of the contribution of Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) to runoff reduction and hydraulic risk mitigation.

• Analysis of the role of Nature-Based Solutions in environmental rehabilitation, climate resilience, and the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law.