The waterfront of Golfo dei Poeti: Coastal Landscape
Changes and Sustainable Development
Patrizia Burlando
University of Genoa, (IT)
The Gulf of La Spezia presents a succession of coastal
landscapes different from each other which are viewed under landscape ecology
as a system of distinct ecosystems as regards human and natural characteristics,
dimensions of landscape matrix and environmental quality.
The coastline presents various types of activities and uses some of which are
in conflict with each other:
- port (situated on the water front of the city of La Spezia
from the east of Italia pier to the Enel pier, it was in front of Italia avenue
and then in front of San Bartolomeo avenue)
- Snam company in the Bay of Panigalia ( Portovenere in the
western area of the gulf)
- shipyards (the most important are: Baglietto, Ferretti, Beconcini
and Cantieri navali di La Spezia, situated to the east of the port on the
road to Lerici)
- marinas, (Porto Lotti to the west and Marina di Fezzano to
the east of the gulf)
- beach areas both public and private, (Fiascherino, Baia Blu,
San Terenzo and Lerici to the east, the island of Palmaria and Portovenere
to the west)
- military zones (The Arsenal historical 18th century development,
to the west of Italia avenue and past the Làgora canal on the most
eastern side of the city of La Spezia, Varignano which looks onto an isolated
bay south of the town of Le Grazie, the island of Tino only open to the public
for the feast of San Venerio and other beach areas both to the east and to
the west)
- waterfront of La Spezia (avenue Italia between Italia pier
to the east and the officers' mess to the west characterised by the presence
of a park created during the 18th century development)
The landscape study proposes to develop an integrated
analysis through the use of specialist disciplines (marine biology, geomorphology,
applied botany, studies of the sea bed and currents), and the introduction of
new methodologies of study taking into account the most recent studies contained
in the International Charters (ELC, ECST) to propose useful strategies for the
sustainable development of the entire coastal area looking onto the gulf.
It is possible to propose a rehabilitation and exploitation of the areas including
the most modified and abandoned to identify the main needs of stakeholders (inhabitants,
workers, tourists) and in what way these needs can be satisfied, without damaging
the existing resources.
The principal object of the research is to maintain the identity of the places
to safeguard the natural qualities and cultural-historical sites without damaging
the local, economic and social interest.
The research aims to experiment, in an interdisciplinarian and integrated perspective,
new methodologies to promote sustainable development together with active protection
of coastal landscapes:
- to define coastal landscapes values (integrity, peculiarity,
recognizing possibility, natural, aesthetic, historical, cultural value) in
their diversities and peculiarities;
- to monitor and analyse transforming dynamics and pressures,
tending to change existing landscape values, qualities and identities, modifying
or deleting existing landscape characters (landslide, coastal erosion, sand-dunes
and vegetation alteration),
- to point out the relevance of risk factors which can be produced
by physic transformation processes of coastal changes,
- to analyse the aggressive modalities of transformation causing
a weakness of landscape values and to point out correct policies for sustainable
development,
- to involve local communities and administrators in the starting
up of information and education methodologies, to promote sustainable development,
based on the quality of services, environment and coastal landscape respect,
- to promote in local communities the knowledge of landscape
values, of local traditions and cultures, to get a contribution to the promotion
of local landscape image and active protection.