Applied research doctoral scholarships: 18 scholarships for innovative PhDs
Landscape studies for global and local challenges
The projects
• Resilient landscapes: strategies and actions for desealing urban soils and fighting climate change
• Territorial innovation and sustainable economic valorisation of the historical- environmental and archaeological-military heritage of the First World War from Lombardy context to Europe
Resilient landscapes: strategies and actions for desealing urban soils and fighting climate change
AffiliatedCompany:
Uniacque Spa Supervisor: Prof. Emanuele Garda, University of BergamoActions to increase soils permeability in urban contexts allow reducing the negative effects of urbanisation and fighting the impacts of climate change on local communities.
The PhD student will be invited to investigate theoretical and methodological aspects of soil de-impermeabilisation as a set of solutions aimed at increasing the permeability of areas, promoting renaturalization, and improving the relationship between city and water.
The research, starting from a trans-scale and interdisciplinary approach aimed at connecting global challenges with local dynamics, will have to:
• Define the state of scientific research regarding concepts directly (soil unseling, de-sealing, de-paving, sponge cities, etc.) or indirectly (green infrastructure, NbS, Ecosystem Services, etc.) related to deimpermeabilisation.
• Highlight the connections and declinations of the concept of landscape.
• Recognising the research topic within the framework of European policies and identifying the relationships with spatial and urban planning tools.
• Analysing national and international case studies, also through a sixmonth experience at a qualified foreign research institution.
• Classify the spaces interested by de-impermeabilisation.
• Recognise the role of territorial actors with respect to the promotion of soil de-impermeabilisation interventions.
• Constantly interact with the co-financing institution by sharing data, research purposes and innovative strategies.
• Promote research results also through dissemination and third mission initiatives.
Territorial innovation and sustainable economic valorisation of the historical- environmental and archaeological-military heritage
of the First World War from Lombardy context to Europe
Affiliated Company: ERSAF – Ente Regionale per i Servizi all’Agricoltura e alle Foreste
Supervisor: Prof. Stefano Morosini, University of Bergamo
During the First World War, the Lombard territory witnessed the construction of numerous military infrastructures, including roads and fortifications, located both near the front lines and along a complex system of second lines and rear areas.
Over a century later, these structures, some in a state of abandonment and others in excellent condition, have become an integral part of the landscape. Their preservation and enhancement represent an opportunity to reflect on a dramatic historical event from a perspective of peace and European citizenship.
The proposed research aims to analyse the historical heritage related to the First World War from a multiscale perspective, focusing on preservation and enhancement to promote territorial innovation and to situate the specific Lombard context within the broader Italian, European, and international context.
This project aims not only at the conservation and valorisation of historical heritage, but also at its sustainable economic enhancement, involving local communities and promoting cultural tourism.
Research Activities for the PhD Candidate:
• Survey, mapping, analysis, and historical and territorial classification of the First World War heritage present in Lombardy through archival, bibliographic, and field research, with the development of a geographic information system (GIS);
• Study of opportunities and methods for the recovery, enhancement, and musealization of the artifacts within an integrated territorial approach and a perspective of tourist enjoyment;
• Analysis of the best opportunities for engaging and including local stakeholders in the promotion of interventions;
• Comparative analysis of best practices for the preservation and enhancement of military-historical heritage at the Italian, European, and international levels;
• Study of tools, languages, and digital systems for the preservation and enhancement of the heritage, including from a museum perspective;
• Analysis of policies and funding sources at the territorial, regional, national, and European levels for the preservation and enhancement of the artifacts;
• Analysis of international case studies, including a six-month experience at a qualified foreign research institution;
• Constant interaction with the co-financing entity, sharing data, research goals, and innovative strategies;
• Promotion and dissemination of the research results through outreach and third mission initiatives.