The Value of the Italian Civil Protection System in Integrated Water Management For The Mediterranean Environment

Abstract

In the Mediterranean environment, specific aspects related to integratedwater management are emphasized: water scarcity (droughts) or waterexcess (floods). Water-induced disasters are increasing in number andseverity and international institutional frameworks to reduce disastersare being strengthened under the United Nations oversight. Italy, aswell as many other Mediterranean countries, invested a large sum ofmoney in water-related risk mitigation. In this paper, flood mitigationactions focusing on different aspects of the problem (urban planning andwarning, floods management) and on different levels (scientific,technical, political, social) are presented. Their possible transferinto a broader integrated water management (IWM) scheme is discussed.Techniques for environmental data gathering from different sources(multi-sensor retrieved data), models for hydrologic cycle simulationand systems for social awareness improvement are described. Theseexperiences where supported by different expertises that can be highlybeneficial to other aspects of IWM levels from local to regional level.