Environmental design criteria through geoindicators for two Mediterranean coastlands

This paper examines some interdisciplinary studies that were carried out along the coasts of the Campania region (southern Italy) and the Peloponnese (Greece). The objective of this research is the definition of environmental design criteria for the Mediterranean coasts, using scientific methods in order to identify critical points and devise appropriate instruments. Initially, physical-geographic and geomorphological coastal systems such as beaches, cliffs and technocoasts were defined. Here the concept of geoindicator was introduced taking into account and interpreting tectonic, lithostratigraphic and geomorphologic elements. The geoarcheological structures are also used as useful parameters for the reconstruction of the evolving landscape. Having defined the methodology used to identify the hazard of coast stretches, the parameters were put in relation with the eco-sustainable landscape recovery techniques. To curtail erosion and hydro-geological instability along the urbanized seafront, geoindicators can be employed in the design of transitional environments in relation to the return of the phenomena at different times. The results indicate how the adaptive approach and the non-imposing solutions contribute to reduction of the anthropogenic impacts and environmental hazards in regions where there is a high hazard / risk, and how the safety and stability of the coasts in addition to the quality of the projects can be enhanced.