B8646 - DESIGN OF NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires theoretical knowledge and application skills on the design of nature-based solutions and green systems – integrated or coupled with infrastructures for urban mobility – aimed at increasing resiliency and mitigating the main environmental impacts in the urban areas (rainwater management and heat island effect). Furthermore, depending on the type of infrastructure, the student can identify the most suitable nature-based solutions, size and design them while assessing their environmental mitigation effects, considering flood/drought periods, functional performance, quality and the sustainability in the materials, design, construction and maintenance phases.

Course contents

The course includes theoretical lectures, educational activities involving the use of digital tools and CAD software, as well as seminars and in-depth study sessions.

More specifically, the following topics will be addressed:

• Green systems for infrastructure and mobility;
• Nature-Based Solutions, including built systems integrated with green infrastructure at the urban scale;
• Study and analysis of solutions supporting the growth and development of vegetation within the built environment associated with infrastructure, across different contexts;
• Study and analysis of the characteristics of green roof systems, vertical greenery systems, and rain gardens connected to infrastructure, including the classification of green roofs, the components and layers of the sub-system, and the relevant materials and elements;
• Construction technologies, technical solutions, and construction details for green roofs, vertical greenery systems, and rain gardens;
• Structures, installations, and green systems for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater and stormwater;
• Study, design, and analysis of the effects of green roofs and rain gardens;
• Representation of green systems in a CAD environment.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials covering all course units are prepared by the lecturers and made progressively available on the “Virtuale” platform throughout the course, in line with the delivery of the lectures. Together with lecture notes, the materials provided by the lecturers constitute the essential basis for preparing for the examination.

For further study, particularly for students who do not attend the lectures or attend them only partially, reference should be made to specific chapters of the following textbooks, after consulting the lecturer:

• Floriana Romagnolli (2013) Fitodepurazione Editore Flaccovio. Palermo.
• Mauro Lajo Paul Luther (2012) Biopiscine progettazione ed esecuzione. Gruppo editoriale Esselibri. Napoli.
• ISPRA (2012) Verde pensile: prestazioni di sistema e valore ecologico. Manuale 78.3/ 2012 (disponibile su internet).
• R. Maggio, N. Mordà (2016) Progetto delle piste ciclabili. Maggioli Editore.
• UNI 11235:2007 “Istruzioni per la progettazione, l' esecuzione, il controllo e la manutenzione di coperture a verde”
• Paolo Abram «Giardini pensili. Coperture a verde e gestione delle acque meteoriche» 2004 – Gruppo editoriale Esselibri
• Antonella Bellomo «Pareti verdi. Nuove tecniche» Sistemi Editoriali SE, Gruppo editoriale Esselibri
• Oscar Eugenio Bellini, Laura Daglio «Verde verticale, aspetti figurativi, ragioni funzionali e soluzioni tecniche nella realizzazione di living walls e green façades» Maggioli Editore
• Annibale Sicurella «Progettare il verde. Tecnihee soluzioni» Sistemi Editoriali SE, Gruppo editoriale Esselibri--
• «Verde: naturalizzare in verticale» a cura di Valerio Tatano, Maggioli Editore

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures, CAD laboratory activities, and seminars.

The theoretical lectures will provide the necessary background for the laboratory activities. The latter will be aimed at producing a final project submission, consisting of graphic drawings and a concise report, and will be carried out individually under the supervision of the lecturer.

The computer laboratory activities will focus on the graphic development of a design concept based on a topic proposed by the lecturer. In particular, students will be required to represent general layouts, functional diagrams, construction details, and architectural and structural elements.

The final graphic outputs, accompanied by a concise report, will be discussed and reviewed in class with the lecturer and assessed as part of the final examination.

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills acquired through this course are assessed according to the procedures described below. The assessment evaluates the knowledge and competences developed during the course.

Assessment of the course content consists of an oral examination during which the lecturer will evaluate:

• the final project outputs, consisting of graphic drawings and a concise report produced under the lecturer’s supervision;
• the student’s discussion of these outputs;
• the knowledge and level of preparation achieved in relation to the theoretical part of the course, assessed through specific questions addressed to the candidate.

The overall grade is determined by the examination board, taking into account:

• for the theoretical component: the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the student in relation to the content of all course units;
• for the project outputs: their content, clarity, coherence, and graphic quality.

Grades are awarded on a scale of 30.

To pass the examination, students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the main course topics. To be awarded honours, students must demonstrate competent and independent in-depth study of the subjects covered.

Attendance at lectures and practical sessions is not mandatory for passing the examination. Students who are unable to attend must contact the lecturer to arrange an alternative activity.

The dates, times, and locations of the examinations are published on the degree programme website. Students must register for examination sessions through the AlmaEsami online platform.

Teaching tools

Overhead projector and PC.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Barbaresi