The regeneration of watercourses within urbanized areas. Some considerations about relevance, strategies, and design tools

Abstract

Water is an essential element in landscape design. Dealing with it, with its presence or absence and knowing how to manage its different forms can guide to shape unique and significant places, but above all it is necessary in order to improve the ecological conditions in the area. Waterways, in particular, are among the most diverse and complex ecosystems on earth, characterized by dynamic processes. The restoration of rivers and streams has proven itself an effective strategy for the recovery and redevelopment of environmental conditions in different context and at different scales of intervention. The regeneration of extensive riverine areas both in urban and peri-urban contexts can help to transform climate crisis issues into opportunities to integrate multiple benefits such as biodiversity, flood protection, public spaces, and sustainable mobility through the implementation of a series of fundamental strategies and design tools.