Italian dry-stone wall terracing represents one of the most iconic features of agricultural landscapes across Europe, with sites listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites and FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The analysis of microclimate modifications induced by alterations of hillslope and by dry-stone walls is of particular interest for the valuation of benefits and drawbacks of terraces cultivation, a global land management technique. The aim of this paper is to perform a thermal characterization of a dry-stone wall terraced vineyard in the Chianti area (Tuscany, Italy), to detect possible microclimate dynamics induced by dry-stone terracing. The aerial surveys were carried out by using two sensors, in the Visible (VIS) and Thermal InfraRed (TIR) spectral range, mounted on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with two different flights. Our results reveal that, in the morning, vineyard rows close to dry-stone walls have statistically lower temperatures with respect to the external ones. In the afternoon, due to solar insulation, temperatures raised to the same value for each row. The results of this early study, jointly with the latest developments in UAV and sensor technologies, justify and encourage further analyses on local climatic modifications in terraced landscapes.

Abstract:In the last few years, the number of worldwide operational X-band weather radars has rapidly been growing, thanks to an established technology that offers reliability, high performance, and reduced efforts and costs for installation and maintenance, with respect to the more widespread C-and S-band systems. X-band radars are particularly suitable for nowcasting activities, as those operated by the LaMMA (Laboratory of Monitoring and Environmental Modelling for the sustainable development) Consortium in the framework of its institutional duties of operational meteorological surveillance. In fact, they have the capability to monitor precipitation, resolving very local scales, with good spatial and temporal details, although with a reduced scanning range. The Consortium has recently installed a small network of X-band weather radars that partially overlaps and completes the existing national radar network over the north Tyrrhenian area. This paper describes the implementation of this regional network, detailing the aspects related with the radar signal processing chain that provides the final reflectivity composite, starting from the acquisition of the signal power data. The network performances are then qualitatively assessed for three case studies characterised by different precipitation regimes and different seasons. Results are satisfactory especially during intense precipitations, particularly regarding what concerns their spatial and temporal characterisation.

<p>The paper deals with an ongoing research activity for developing a Building Information Model (BIM) for the facility and collections management of museums. The BIM success lies not only in its application for the design and construction of buildings but also because it helps the information management of a building throughout its life cycle. Compared to other activities, in museums management, the container/content relationship is essential for the preventive conservation of artworks, according to national and international guidelines. Then, an effective BIM-based museum information system linked to external databases (called M-BIM) should include also the art collections for managing information regarding both the building and artworks by 3D objects handling. This facilitates the management of the procedures prescribed by international best practices (as the facility and conservation reports set up for the loan of artworks) or by Italian regulations (as to check the compliance of a museum with the minimum standards or to archive renovations and temporary exhibitions). The proposed methodology has been tested on the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (Florence, Italy), situated in a complex heritage building. Starting from data acquired during a laser scanner survey carried out in 2011, a HBIM of the whole building has been created. Then, the sculptures and paintings of a consistent part of the museum have been modelled with different approaches and inserted as BIM objects. Artworks instances include 3D geometry and physical data (dimensions, materials, weight, etc.), other data are obtained from links to already existing external catalogues. A database conceptual model has been formalised, according to INSPIRE Consolidated Unified Modelling Language (UML) of the INSPIRE Directive, with the aim to maintain the independence of the BIM approach but improving data connection with other databases and sources.</p><p><strong>Highlights:</strong></p><ul><li><p>A holistic information management system for museums (M-BIM) is proposed, including both information on the building and the collections.</p></li><li><p>International and Italian guidelines, and best practices on museums management are compared.</p></li><li><p>The Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is used as a case study for testing the application of M-BIM on a heritage building.</p></li></ul>

Abstract. The democratization and accessibility of low-cost devices for image acquisition and the development of highly automated procedures for orientation and dense image matching allow almost every person to be a potential producer of photogrammetric models. The diffusion of image-based technologies to produce 3D models amongst wider audiences entails however some risks, as the lack of critical awareness of the final quality of the outputs. Information and education about potentialities and limitations of reality-based digitization by photogrammetry may help spreading procedures and methods for the correct use of this technology. This paper presents the results of one of the funded projects within the 2018 ISPRS Capacity Building Initiatives “Education and training resources on digital photogrammetry”. The production of multimedia material for supporting smart educational teaching and learning approaches will be reported, as well as experiences on their application on case studies. Blended innovative teaching and learning pedagogical approaches have been tested, as Flipped Classroom (FC), Learning-by-doing (LBD), Collaborative Learning (CL), and Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), supported by multimedia tools for capacity-building and knowledge transfer. The implementation of multimedia materials for supporting teaching strategies resulted in the production of updated and engaging resources, as videos, tutorials, and datasets to be used during courses, workshops, and seminars targeted to different user groups. The combination of teaching strategies and multimedia supporting materials were tested within national and international projects, from academic courses to complete non-experts, from activities on the field to online and distance learning.

The paper discusses the first outcomes of an ongoing research activity aimed at developing a general BIM-based methodology for the organization and the management of the information needed for maintenance and safety assessment of museums. The Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze (Florence, Italy) which has a very complex spatial organisation as a result of transformations occurred over the centuries, has been considered as an illustrative application of the proposed methodology. One of the specific elements which characterize museums, compared to other buildings, is the issue of the relationship between the building itself and the artworks there contained. A specific element of the research is consequently the need not to limit the attention to only the building (i.e. the envelope), but to consider within the BIM also the presence of the art collections. Starting from a recent laser scanner survey, a BIM has been created and a semi-automatic workflow has been investigated to obtain a FE (Finite Element) model to be employed for static and dynamic structural analysis purposes. Currently, since the scans inevitably included the artworks, a test is underway to add in the BIM of the museum also its collections (M-BIM). Each element can be inserted as a BIM object including its geometric representation and physical data (dimensions, materials, weight…) and linked to different museum inventory and conservation databases for the museum management.