Techne. Interdisciplinary Examination for an Integrated Vision. Case Study: the Adriatic City - Urban Landscapes: Environmental Networks and Quality of Life - page 126

have been the cause of further erosion processes in the surrounding, unpro-
tected areas. As a consequence, about two-thirds (116 of 172km) of the
Marche regional coast is characterized by the presence of hard coastal
defense works that are often causing environmental degradation .
Therefore, while also taking into account the importance of beaches in
the economy and quality of life of coastal areas, it is vital to study their evo-
lution and identify optimal techniques to protect them. In fact, only working
from detailed multidisciplinary research—including the seasonal monitor-
ing of mineralogical, morphological, and sedimentological features, as well
as studies of meteorological and marine features, and coastal hydraulics—
carried out both on the submerged and emerged beach, will it be possible to
find fully adequate countermeasures to the problem. Small differences in
wave climate and/or in the features of a remedial work may induce a break
in shore equilibrium leading to completely new morphologies, thus heavily
influencing the anthropic activities located in the vicinity.
Comparing the results of continuous monitoring of littoral evolution
(taking into account the morphological, bathymetric, sedimentological, and
mineralogical properties of backshores and shorefaces) with local wave cli-
mate and meteorological parameters makes it possible to forecast future
scenarios and trends. Such studies are instrumental first of all to understand
in detail the duration, intensity, and typology of the sequence of erosional
and depositional cycles determining the local littoral evolution. Working on
the basis of these studies, it will be possible to plan and carry out adequate
countermeasures to solve the problems without inducing potentially dan-
gerous side effects, and to formulate optimal local and regional interven-
tions, setting up integrated and sustainable governance plans. This point of
view is supported by the European Union, which in Recommendation
2002/413/EC invites member States to adopt a strategic approach aimed at
environmental, social, and economic sustainability for the management of
coastal areas.
The proposed integrated and multidisciplinary research on basic knowl-
edge about the shores of the “ Adriatic Region ” may be instrumental in
providing stakeholders (local governments, “Marche Region Agency for
Environmental Protection,” “Italian Agency for Environmental Protection,”
touristic operators, and so on) with the appropriate framework for optimal
governance of the littoral environment and territory. As a consequence, sci-
entific work positively impacts the economic development, unemployment,
and quality of life of coastal towns in:

• Tourism, leisure, and landscape: improvement of the touristic use of

beaches and sea through conservation and reclamation.

• Fishing: diversification of professional and sport fishing activity based

on the recognition of the spatial and temporal distribution of different
marine environments.