Environmental Impacts

Recommended Prerequisites

There are no specific requirements beyond the general conditions for admission to the study cycle.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes for the detailed exposition of the fundamental concepts, principles and theories of the topic of this course and the solving of some elucidative practical problems that help the students to understand the theoretical exposition. Illustrative examples will be given and discussed.

Learning Outcomes

To provide the students with:
- the understanding of the main environmental problems related to Civil Engineering projects and interventions;
- the understanding of sectoral impacts and of the fundamental principles and methodologies of environmental engineering, in particular related to air, water, noise and soil pollution phenomena;
- the understanding of the importance of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), their historical evolution and development processes.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Environment and anthropic actions. Engineering projects.
2. Environmental impacts: concepts, analysis, modelling, minimization.
3. Sectoral Impacts: atmospheric environment; surface water; groundwater; soil; coastal environments; noise; visual environment; cultural environment.
4. Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment: trends in the EU and around the world; Institutional Framework and Legal Framework; prediction, assessment and mitigation of impacts; environmental indicators and indices.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Isabel Mendes Leal Pereira Pedroso de Lima

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Exam: 70.0%

Bibliography

Eccleston CH, 2017. Environmental Impact Assessment: A Guide to Best Professional Practices. Routledge.
European Union, 2017. Environmental Impact Assessment of Projects: Guidance on the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assess.
Report. Luxembourg: Publ. Office of the EU.
Glasson J; Therivel R, 2019. Introduction to Environmental Assessment. 5th ed. London: Routledge.
Goudie AS, 2018. Human Impact On The Natural Environment. 8th ed, John Wiley & Sons.
Lee CC; Lin SD, 2007. Handbook of Environmental Eng. Calculations. 2nd ed, McGraw Hill.
Masten SJ; Mackenzie Davis ML, 2024. Principles of Environ. Eng. and Science. 4th ed, McGraw-Hill Ed.
Partidário R, 2012. Guia de melhores práticas para Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica – orientações metodológicas para um pensamento estratégico em AAE. APA.
Randall M (ed), 2022. Environmental Pollution: Causes, Impacts and Management Technique. Syrawood Publ. House.
Wathern P, 2013. Environmental Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice. Routledge