Urban Geology: The Geological Instability of the Apulian Historical Centers

Abstract

The tourist success of the Apulian region is certainly associated with the great landscape and architectural heritage. The union of these aspects is particularly evident in the territory and in the urban centers of Salento, Murgia and the surroundings in the coastal territory. The conservation and sustainability of these places, however, often confronts the most invasive terms of hydrogeological instability (earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.). It is true that sometimes in the Apulian urban centers geological phenomena of instability are observed much less evident than those mentioned but more subtle and equally invasive and harmful: for example subsidence, sink holes, karst. In order to avoid the aforementioned effects, when planning and growing an urban environment, it is necessary for decision-makers, engineers, planners and managers to take into account the physical parameters of the urban area, as well as susceptibility to dangers natural. The geology and geomorphology of an area are crucial to guarantee the sustainable management of the territory and consequently in the protection of human life in urban areas. With this work we illustrate some examples of hydrogeological instabilities that have been observed in the historical centers of some Apulian cities and that can significantly affect strategies for preventing damage to things and people. The cases of the hydrogeological subsidence in Acquaviva delle Fonti, in Castellana Grotte and Cutrofiano have been described and analyzed.