EAE3900 - Landscape, environment and sustainability in Italy - 2019

This field-based unit is taught on location in the National Park/World Heritage Area of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. Identified by UNESCO as an environment and cultural landscape worth preserving, the region is under immense pressure due to climate change, rural depopulation, abandonment of agricultural lands, landscape instability, and burgeoning tourism. Problems of integrating tourism and agricultural objectives, while minimising negative environmental and cultural impacts, will be explored and possible solutions for regional sustainability proposed. The unit provides unique opportunities for interaction with staff of the National Park and various local and national authorities.

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Understand the range of complex environmental, social and economic interrelationships that shape a particular region and to be able to differentiate a cultural landscape from a natural landscape;
2. Understand the criteria and processes that lead to the designation of a World Heritage Area and to be able to identify, describe and interpret problems of sustainability in the context of a region of truly global significance;
3. Have gained practical experience in problem formulation and solution using field-based techniques of survey and analysis, along with appropriate presentation skills.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Comprising a presentation: 25%

Field studies journal: 25%

Research report: 50%

10 day intensive, involving lectures/seminars, tutorials and field work

See also Unit timetable information

Earth science

Geographical science

Human geography