Urban Geoscience: The Challenge of Street Geology

Abstract

Beyond the human-related conception, Urban Science is a broad concept that includes and concerns various interconnected issues linked to Natural, Engineering, Human, Social, and Computational Sciences. Natural Science is represented by issues linked to GeoScience and BioScience. GeoScience issues concern (i) the physical-environmental aspects linked to (a) design, planning, and expansion of the urban environment; (b) urban management interventions; (c) prevention and (d) mitigation of natural and human-induced risks; (e) defense against natural and human-induced risks and (ii) cultural aspects linked to (a) educational purposes and (b) promoting, enhancing, and disseminating scientific as well as territorial and environmental knowledge and awareness. Geoscience is represented also by Street Geology, a silent geology mainly present in historical centers of urban areas, but not only, and that can be used as an educational tool, an opportunity for broader discussions on geological-environmental and socio-cultural issues. Look, see, understand, and take awareness are four steps that give voice to street geology. This paper highlights some aspects of GeoScience in two different urban areas, located in Southern Italy, represented by (a) the Longobard Walls of Benevento (BN) and (b) the 1794 Vesuvius’ lava flow in Torre del Greco (NA).