Environmental Risks and Spatial Planning

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is face-to-face.

The theoretical component is essentially expository, supported by audiovisual aids.

The practical component is based on

1 - Field work, which will be developed during one or two study trips, aimed at the concrete observation of risk manifestations occurred in a relatively recent period of time;

2 - Case study of a concrete manifestation of risk, preferably registered near Coimbra;

The theoretical evaluation is done by continuous assessment.

The practical part includes the delivery of two reports: Field work and research.

Learning Outcomes

Students must know:

1 - The terminology used in scindinic sciences and the meaning of the various concepts.

2 - The different types of risks and the subtypes of environmental risks.

3 - Legislation related to risks, specifically that which deals directly with territory planning, namely, with forest fires and floods.

4 - How to minimize and mitigate the consequences of risk manifestations.

Students must understand:

1 - The factors involved in a risk analysis, particularly those concerning environmental risks;

2 - How to draw up specific land-use plans focused on reducing the effects of risk manifestations, with emphasis on forest fires and floods.

Students must show:

Skills in the preparation of plans focusing on:

- Protecting Forests from Fires

- Flood Emergencies

- Flood Risk Management.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction to risks: Main concepts; Types of risks; Subtypes of environmental risks;

Manifestations of the most frequent risks in Portugal: Forest Fire; Floods; Other risks

 

Programs, Strategies and Land Management Plans:

- National Programme of Territorial Planning Policy (PNPOT);

- National Strategy for the Adaptation to Climate Change;

- National Forest Fire Fighting Plan (PNDFCI);

- Landscape Transformation Programme (PTP)

- National Water Plan (PNA); 

 

Risk management instruments:

- National Civil Protection Emergency Plan (PNEPC);

- Emergency Plans (National, Regional, District and Municipal);

- National Plan for Integrated Management of Rural Fires

 

Application to land use planning: Preparation of a

- Forest fire defence plan applied to a burnt area, or alternatively,

- Flood risk management plan, applied to a flooded area. 

Head Lecturer(s)

Carlos António Bastos de Morais Guerra

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Report of a seminar or field trip: 30.0%
Research work: 70.0%

Bibliography

Allisson, R. J. (2002). Applied Geomorphology. Wiley, Chichester.

Clifford, N., French, S., Valentine, G., (2010).  Key Methods in Geography, 2nd Edition. Sage.

Dauphiné, André (2001). Risques et Catastrophes. Observer – Spatialiser – Comprendre – Gérer. Paris, Armand Colin, 288 p.

Guerra, A. & MarçaL, M. (2006). Geomorfologia ambiental. Ed. Bertrand Brasil, Rio de Janeiro

Harris, R. (2011). Statistics in Geography and Environmental Science. Prentice Hall.

Knight, J. (2018). Research Methods in Physical Geography. Taylor & Francis Ltd,  United Kingdom, 416p.

Rebelo, Fernando (2010). Geografia Física e Riscos Naturais. Coimbra, Imprensa da Universidade, 2010.

Soares, A. (2014). Geoestatística para as Ciências da Terra e do Ambiente. IST - Instituto Superior Técnico (ed.), 3.ª Ed., 232p.

Veyret, Yvette & Vigneau, Jean-Pierre (2002).  Géographie Physique. Milieux et environnement dans le système Terre. Paris, Armand Colin.