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The shallow landslides constitute a consistent current hazard that could increase in the future, especially in the Mediterranean areas. Regional scale hazard maps involving runout estimation are not yet particularly widespread. The study was conducted with the aim of testing a debris flows risk assessment process starting from the runout analysis of a debris flows dataset triggered by the event of October 1, 2009.Preliminary results highlight how the procedure permit to produce a runout hazard assessment in the valley areas where the more important and vulnerable exposed elements are situated. Despite the obvious limitations, the process appears particularly useful to address the public administration demand for simple tools to manage and direct regional planning.

The aim of this research is to develop a multiparametric downscaling analysis for the detection of abandoned waste in the environment. This methodology, using a multi-technological approach, involves the adoption VHR satellite images, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV). The identified Warning Areas (WA) will be investigated through an in-situ analysis with air quality measurement devices based on advanced sensors mounted on drones. The creation of a Cadastre Accumulation of Abandoned Materials (CAMA) and the related APP will allow the administrations to monitor the phenomenon. Finally, the waste product analysis, retrieved by means of UAS dataset computation, allows to retrieve some interesting prospects regarding Waste to Energy framework. Here, preliminary results obtained by the on-going INTESA Project are presented.

The need to make electricity production increasingly sustainable requires careful planning of production plants, mainly for wind and photovoltaic energy conversion. Planning areas correctly, while respecting existing environmental constraints, is not an easy task and requires the collaboration of a panel of experts with different skills. The need to search for new sites to be allocated to renewable energy generation plants is demanded by the most pressing current events: it’s just in such a context that the Italian national legislation is undergoing a revision, which has entrusted the regional administrations with the task of identifying the territorial criteria. By simulations in GIS environments, it’s possible to study the effect of defining certain criteria on the territory, in order to assess in advance which and how many areas could have greater or lesser suitability. Based on this consideration, we proceeded to experiment with the effects of the most common constraints by developing a real simulation on the territory of the Lazio Region. The experimentation used the well-known open environment QGIS 3.22, which made it possible to exploit the possibilities offered by the open territorial databases of the Lazio Region. The first results show that the remaining areas after eliminating all those that are certainly unsuitable are a limited part of the Region itself. The analysis was extended to individual municipalities by comparing average yields per conceivable plant area, then comparing them with inhabitants for an initial estimate of energy needs at least for domestic use.

In Europe and beyond, the cultural and archaeological heritage may have considerable extensions of hundreds of square metres if not kilometres. It is then necessary to study highly efficient techniques able , at the same time, to maintain centimetric accuracy. In these contexts, the SLAM technique can be an efficient solution. We tested the latter in a survey of a portion of the so-called Roman Villa of Caposele, also known as Villa Rubino in Formia, (Italy): the “Ninfeo Maggiore” and “Ninfeo Minore” (Major and Minor nymphaeum). The two structures had to be surveyed for both conservation and study purposes and to allow a virtual visit, which is particularly important since they are located inside a private property. The structure is complex, with a succession of rooms and environments in an archaeological complex extending approximately 480 metres in an east-west direction and approximately 50 metres in a south-north direction. We decided to survey both nymphaea with the “GEOSLAM Zeb Horizon”, also surveying all the internal connecting rooms and corridors between them. Both nymphaea were also surveyed with a “Faro” terrestrial laser scanning, to allow comparison. To verify the validity of the SLAM on the outside, a survey was carried out using a DJI Matrix drone with laser scanning. The comparison showed very limited deviations whose statistical validation is in progress, demonstrating that the SLAM technique can advantageously be used in such vast archaeological complexes where the efficiency and completeness of the survey is more important than the millimetric accuracy.

Historical maps represent an important source of geographical information. The changes occurred over time can be extrapolated from them, especially if their geometric accuracies match those achievable with modern survey techniques. An 1820 map belonging to the Gregorian Cadastre provides the position of seven hermitages belonging to the monastery of Fara in Sabina (Italy). Just three of them are nowadays visible, while the others may have been covered by thick vegetation or been destroyed during the Second World War. The paper proposes the integration of geomatic techniques for the localization of the lost hermitages. To do so, Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms were applied to UAV imagery to produce an orthophoto of the area. In addition, a GNSS survey was carried out using a professional and a low-cost receiver to correctly georeference the photogrammetric products. An accuracy assessment was then performed to evaluate the performance of the u-blox board in real applications. The accuracies obtained with the low-cost receiver indicates a possible more widespread utilization of these new devices. Subsequently, the comparison between the orthophoto and the cadastral map have been detailed. A weak correspondence between the position of the hermitages in the two maps have been observed. On the other side, the comparison led to the localization of two lost hermitages, with the other two being still undiscovered. This study has opened the door to an enhancement process of the monastery and to the rediscovery of the religious values of the hermitages.

The area south-east of Rome is characterised by the presence of several roman aqueducts which brought water to the eternal city from the Apennine and Alban Hills springs. In the last 40 years, several pieces of evidence about these aqueducts were acquired during the realisation of archaeological test trenches before building activities. In 2019, a small branch of a subterranean aqueduct unknown to the Latin sources was unearthed in Via dei Sette Metri. Here we show that this aqueduct is a lateral branch of the Anio Novus, a major imperial aqueduct built between 38 and 52 CE. To achieve this result, we employed detailed photogrammetric restitution of the new aqueduct and an integrated geophysical survey focused in the area where the Anio Novus was supposed to pass. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) methods were used to reconstruct aqueduct paths and their relative heights. Different light conditions were tested during the picture acquisition step to determine the best practice in the photogrammetric restitution. The results obtained in this study confirmed the great effectiveness of the integration between geophysical investigation methods and the modern archaeology approach in detecting buried ancient structures.

Caves have been used by humans and animals for several thousand years until present but, at these time scales, their structures can rapidly change due to erosion and concretion processes. For this reason, the availability of precise 3D models improves the data quality and quantity allowing the reconstruction of their ancient appearance, structure and origin. However, caves are usually characterised by lack of light, high percentage of relative humidity, narrow spaces and complex morphology. Thus, quite often the traditional topographic instruments cannot be employed. In the La Sassa cave (Sonnino, Italy) a huge deposit ranging from Pleistocene to the Second World War has been found and stratigraphic evidence suggested that the shape of the cave and its entrance might have been different. In this paper, the fusion of the internal and external 3D photogrammetric models of the La Sassa, made to support the archaeological excavations, is presented, A Nikon camera with a fisheye lens and a smartphone camera have been used to survey the internal part of the cave, while an aerial drone has been employed for the external area. The two models have been georeferenced and scaled using GCPs acquired by a double frequency GNSS (GPS and GLONASS) receiver. A low-resolution DTM derived from a previous aerial laser scanning survey and the 3D models have been elaborated in CloudCompare environment to highlight the complete morphology of the cave and its surroundings.

Sometimes, the georeferencing of a cave in the global reference system can be challenging. Some difficulties may arise when narrow passages do not allow the use of classical topographic equipment or a terrestrial laser scanner. In these specific cases, the surveyor can employ a visual-based approach to produce both the followed path and the 3D model of the hypogeum. The report we are presenting is the result of a survey in the Guattari cave carried out using images taken by a Huawei P9 mobile phone and a Nikon D800E camera with a 16 mm fisheye lens. Several targets were measured in order to contain the deformation of the models. Three GCPs located just outside the cave have been used to georeference the models. The data have been acquired by a double frequency GNSS receiver in static session mode. The comparison between the two models shows a substantial concordance only in the area outside the cave where the GCPs were measured. In the innermost areas, the two models differ by as much as two meters.

Historical cartography is an important source of geographic information for diachronic studies. The Italian geodetic datum from the second half of the 20th century are well known and used, while the reference systems used previously do not have a certain documentation also because they were developed by the military geographical institute, which at the time was a uniquely military body with the related problems of confidentiality.The reconstruction of the datum of each single historical map is a fundamental process, in order to be able to correctly compare historical information with the current ones, but it is complex because of the scarce information available on the type of datum and cartographic projection used for the production of the map.The reconstruction of the ancient morphology of an area, such as that of 1893 Forma urbis map or the pre-reclamation maps of Agro Pontino, is of fundamental importance for various studies on geomorphological changes of the territory, including, for example, the reconstruction of diverted and/or covered watercourses.Many of the Italian historical maps have been referred to the ellipsoid of Bessel with different orientations that in many cases are the same used previously or simultaneously for public purposes including, in particular, the drafting of the cadastral cartography.

This paper presents some of the results obtained from the integrated use of 3D surveying techniques and illustrates some types of analysis and graphic representations that can be conducted and reproduced. The case study concerns the church of San Nicola in Montedoro that is one of the oldest in the city of Martina Franca in the province of Taranto (Italy) and presumably dates back to the fourteenth century. The work consists of a survey with different integrated methodologies, the creation of thematic tables all in order to allow a structural analysis.The contribution shows how this approach is not intended for a single case study, but starting from it can be extended to other contexts that present similar criticality and potential, often recurrent in the field of the survey and representation of cultural heritage.

The survey of ancient cave can generally be performed by traditional topographic methods that allow also its georeferencing in a global reference frame; some difficulties may arise when there are narrow tunnels that do not consent the use of a total station or a terrestrial laser scanner. In such cases a visual-based approach can be used to produce, both the followed path and the 3D model of the hypogeal environment. A prompt photogrammetric survey has been used to reconstruct the morphology of the La Sassa Cave, situated in the municipality of Sonnino (Latina), in the lower Lazio region. In this cave, a very large quantity of Pleistocene animal bones was found, together with several fragments of Copper Age human bones and Bronze Age impasto potsherds. The survey was carried out using a DSLR full frame camera Nikon D800E with a Nikkor 16 mm fisheye lens pre-calibrated. During the acquisition, several targets were measured in order to contain the deformations model. The photogrammetric model has been georeferenced using 3 GCPs positioned outside the cave entrance where a double frequency GNSS receiver has acquired data in static session mode.

This work illustrates the use of geomatics techniques for the documentation of Teatro Massimo in Palermo (Italy), one of the most important and big in Italy and in Europe. The theatre is characterized by a very complex structure and is realized also using innovative solution, studied at the time of the project specifically for this building; for example, an original system was realized for a natural air-conditioning system of the auditorium. Due to his complexity, the documentation of the Teatro Massimo requires studying specific survey solutions for the different parts of the building. In this paper, some studies on two of the most representative parts of the building were described. In particular, a 3D survey of the auditorium was carried out to obtain a first 3D model of the most important internal part; a very accurate monitoring of structure inside the dome of the theatre was also carried out. The survey of the auditorium was realized by a Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), that has allowed the creation of a digital archive of point clouds, showing, however, the some level of criticality due to the complex shapes of building and of architectural details. The work has highlighted that specific strategy to optimize the number of acquisitions needed for the complete documentation of the auditorium. The monitoring of the structure inside the dome was carried out by topographic and photogrammetric techniques. The monitoring was aimed at measuring the displacements of the support devices connecting the iron structure of the dome. The monitoring has allowed to understand and to test the proper functionality of this complex system. Some tests were carried out also by a thermal camera to correlate the displacements of the support devices with the dilatations produced by steel thermal gradients.

The historical building heritage, present in the most of Italian cities centres, is, as part of the construction sector, a working potential, but unfortunately it requires planning of more complex and problematic interventions. However, policies to support on the existing interventions, together with a growing sensitivity for the recovery of assets, determine the need to implement specific studies and to analyse the specific problems of each site. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the methodology and the results obtained from integrated laser scanning activity in order to have precious architectural information useful not only from the cultural heritage point of view but also to construct more operative and powerful tools, such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) aimed to the management of this cultural heritage. The Papal Basilica and the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi in Italy are, in fact, characterized by unique and complex peculiarities, which require a detailed knowledge of the sites themselves to ensure visitor’s security and safety. For such a project, we have to take in account all the people and personnel normally present in the site, visitors with disabilities and finally the needs for cultural heritage preservation and protection. This aim can be reached using integrated systems and new technologies, such as Internet of Everything (IoE), capable of connecting people, things (smart sensors, devices and actuators; mobile terminals; wearable devices; etc.), data/information/knowledge and processes to reach the desired goals. The IoE system must implement and support an Integrated Multidisciplinary Model for Security and Safety Management (IMMSSM) for the specific context, using a multidisciplinary approach.

The recent mass destructions of monuments in Iraq cannot be monitored with the terrestrial survey methodologies, for obvious reasons of safety. For the same reasons, it’s not advisable the use of classical aerial photogrammetry, so it was obvious to think to the use of multispectral Very High Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery. Nowadays VHR satellite images resolutions are very near airborne photogrammetrical images and usually they are acquired in multispectral mode. The combination of the various bands of the images is called pan-sharpening and it can be carried on using different algorithms and strategies. The correct pansharpening methodology, for a specific image, must be chosen considering the specific multispectral characteristics of the satellite used and the particular application. In this paper a first definition of guidelines for the use of VHR multispectral imagery to detect monument destruction in unsafe area, is reported. The proposed methodology, agreed with UNESCO and soon to be used in Libya for the coastal area, has produced a first report delivered to the Iraqi authorities. Some of the most evident examples are reported to show the possible capabilities of identification of damages using VHR images.

Actually complex underground structures and facilities occupy a wide space in our cities, most of them are often unsurveyed; cable duct, drainage system are not exception. Furthermore, several inspection operations are performed in critical air condition, that do not allow or make more difficult a conventional survey. In this scenario a prompt methodology to survey and georeferencing such facilities is often indispensable. A visual based approach was proposed in this paper; such methodology provides a 3D model of the environment and the path followed by the camera using the conventional photogrammetric/Structure from motion software tools. The key-role is played by the lens camera; indeed, a fisheye system was employed to obtain a very wide field of view (FOV) and therefore high overlapping among the frames. The camera geometry is in according to a forward motion along the axis camera. Consequently, to avoid instability of bundle adjustment algorithm a preliminary calibration of camera was carried out. A specific case study was reported and the accuracy achieved.

A photogrammetric survey of a unique archaeological site is reported in this paper. The survey was performed using both a panoramic image-based solution and by classical procedure. The panoramic image-based solution was carried out employing a commercial solution: the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover (IR). Such instrument is an integrated cameras system that captures 360 degrees digital panoramas, composed of 12 images, with a single push. The direct comparison of the point clouds obtained with traditional photogrammetric procedure and V10 stations, using the same GCP coordinates has been carried out in Cloud Compare, open source software that can provide the comparison between two point clouds supplied by all the main statistical data. The site is a portion of the dial plate of the “Horologium Augusti” inaugurated in 9 B.C.E. in the area of Campo Marzio and still present intact in the same position, in a cellar of a building in Rome, around 7 meter below the present ground level.

On April 6, 2009, an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck central Italy with its epicentre near L'Aquila, at 42.3502° N, 13.3762° E. The earthquake damaged 3000 to 11 000 buildings in the medieval city of L'Aquila. Several buildings totally collapsed, 308 people were killed. The post emergency phase till now is just at its beginning step. Conventional surveying techniques using high precision total stations, GNSS receivers and laser scanners for investigations on damaged buildings are always becoming more automated, accurate and operative and even much more fast. Even if these techniques represent instruments of extreme operability there are still many evident limits on their use, especially regarding the survey of both the roofs and the facades of tall buildings or dangerous places, typical on post earthquake situations. So using micro UAVs for surveying in such particular cases, many of these problems can be easily bypassed. In fact, the present work aims on experimenting using multi-rotor micro UAVs, that will allow high quality image capturing on roofs and facades of structures in the old city center of L'Aquila. To obtain actual stereoscopic acquisitions of buildings some conditions on the geometry of acquisition have to be observed, for this reason, taking as a guideline classic flight photogrammetric, a flight planning software was developed. Accurate planning for UAVs acquisitions is very important also considering the reduced autonomy of such vehicles. This can be a strategic point if we want to use UAVs for early damage assessment and also for post event reconstruction planning.

In April 2006 an airborne laser scanning (LIDAR) survey of the Albano and Nemi craters was carried out to obtain a high resolution digital terrain model (DTM) of the area. We have integrated the LIDAR survey of the craters and the recent bathymetry of the Albano lake to achieve a complete DTM, useful for morphological studies. In addition, with a GPS RTK survey (July 2007) we estimated the Albano and Nemi mean lake levels respectively at 288.16 m and 319.02 m (asl). Based on the integrated DTM and the newly estimated water level values, we evaluated about 21.7·106 m3 the water volume loss of the Albano lake from 1993 to 2007, with an average rate of about 1.6·106 m3/yr.

This work reports a first attempt to use Landsat satellite imagery to identify possible urban microclimate changes in a city center after a seismic event that affected L'Aquila City (Abruzzo Region, Italy), on 6 April 2009. After the main seismic event, the collapse of part of the buildings, and the damaging of most of them, with the consequence of an almost total depopulation of the historic city center, may have caused alterations to the microclimate. This work develops an inexpensive work flow-using Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) scenes-to construct the evolution of urban land use after the catastrophic main seismic event that hit L'Aquila. We hypothesized, that, possibly, before the event, the temperature was higher in the city center due to the presence of inhabitants (and thus home heating); while the opposite case occurred in the surrounding areas, where new settlements of inhabitants grew over a period of a few months. We decided not to look to independent meteorological data in order to avoid being biased in their investigations; thus, only the smallest dataset of Landsat ETM+ scenes were considered as input data in order to describe the thermal evolution of the land surface after the earthquake. We managed to use the Landsat archive images to provide thermal change indications, useful for understanding the urban changes induced by catastrophic events, setting up an easy to implement, robust, reproducible, and fast procedure.

Site selection for waste disposal is a complex task that should meet the requirements of communities and stakeholders. In this article, three decision support methods (Boolean logic, index overlay and fuzzy gamma) are used to perform land suitability analysis for landfill siting. The study was carried out in one of the biggest metropolitan regions of Italy, with the objective of locating suitable areas for waste disposal. Physical and socio-economic information criteria for site selection were decided by a multidisciplinary group of experts, according to state-of-the-art guidelines, national legislation and local normative on waste management. The geographic information systems (GIS) based models used in this study are easy to apply but require adequate selection of criteria and weights and a careful evaluation of the results. The methodology is arranged in three steps, reflecting the criteria defined by national legislation on waste management: definition of factors that exclude location of landfills or waste treatment plants; classification of the remaining areas in terms of suitability for landfilling; and evaluation of suitable sites in relation to preferential siting factors (such as the presence of quarries or dismissed plants). The results showed that more than 80% of the provincial territory falls within constraint areas and the remaining territory is suitable for waste disposal for 0.72% or 1.93%, according to the model. The larger and most suitable sites are located in peripheral areas of the metropolitan system. The proposed approach represents a low-cost and expeditious alternative to support the spatial decision-making process., (© The Author(s) 2014.)