TERRACES AND DRY STONE WALLS: HISTORY OF UNBOUND STONES. RESPECT FOR TRADITION AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN FOR UNPRECEDENTED SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

The system of terraces is found all over the world, in the Mediterranean area the terraces are linked to the art of the dry walls that constitute the backbone. The terminological and etymological research has highlighted the evidence between the way to define terraces and dry walls with analogies found in the history and construction technique of the same. The condition of optimal use of dry walls lies in the possibility of water absorbed by the ground to flow through the walls and to lower the thrust on them. To date, land abandonment, climate change and the use of reinforced concrete have led to collapses and landslides. This has led to the urgent need to propose new design and technical solutions on the recovery and protection of the terraces without altering their authenticity and operation.