It is a proposal aimed at implementing interventions that address five key challenges identified within the stream landscape and the sea, where Posidonia Oceanica has been declining. The main challenges facing these interconnected systems include: 1) rising sea levels and the risk of river flooding; 2) erosion and sedimentation affecting both the stream and the coastline; 3) urbanization and water pollution; 4) wildfires near water bodies; and 5) loss of biodiversity.
These challenges impact both the uphill landscape and the downstream sea, as they are part of a larger system interconnected through water. Consequently, the proposed interventions start along the Sturla Stream and extend to the sea, addressing the decline of Posidonia oceanica, an important species for combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and safeguarding coastlines.
To tackle these issues, several nature-based solutions (NBS) are proposed along the watercourse at three specific intervention points: the Resilient Flooding Park-Resilient Cultivated Area, the Interactive Stream Leisure Space, and the Posidonia Modules at sea. These NBS and the repopulation of Posidonia will help mitigate the five challenges outlined above. Restoring Posidonia will enhance the ecological quality of the environment while fostering public awareness and reinforcing the landscape’s identity. The design proposal aims to improve both the environmental conditions and the social well-being of the Sturla community through interventions that promote landscape appreciation and community-beneficial activities. This proposal encourages the creation of resilient waterscapes alongside public engagement.
The sea reflects our actions; the issues addressed within the stream will impact conditions in the sea. Additionally, the deep connection between humans and this remarkable waterscape underscores the importance of emphasizing that the final step of Posidonia Oceanica repopulation is part of a broader effort. Environmental enhancement, alongside socio-economic activities, can result from this initiative. From a poetic perspective, it can inspire both the young and the older people about resilience in the face of adversity.
Among the positive outcomes of the proposal, the following can be highlighted:
- Protection of infrastructure and properties from the risks of sea level rise, flooding, and fires.
- Preservation of the Sturla Stream as an ecological corridor, home to numerous bird species and more.
- Creation of public spaces linked to aquatic ecosystems.
- Implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) along the river to protect the health of Posidonia in the sea.
- Regeneration of Posidonia prairies along the beachfront.
In summary, these challenges can be effectively countered through the restoration of this remarkable aquatic plant.
Student Project | Resilient Waterscapes in Genoa: From the Sturla Stream to the Ligurian Sea
Student: Paola Alejandra Aguilar Sánchez
University: Politecnico di Milano, MSc Landscape Architecture. Landscape Heritage
Supervisor: Prof. Chiara Geroldi, Politecnico di Milano