Sviluppo di un Sistema Informativo Territoriale per la caratterizzazione dell’impatto ambientale di piani e opere attraverso l’analisi delle direttive comunitarie e del recepimento dei loro principi nella normativa italiana.

This thesis describe the development of a database to support the environmental impact assessment procedure. This subject was addressed through an initial analysis of the regulations governing the environment protection and the environmental impact assessment of a work or project, analyzing first the framework at a community level, and then the various laws and directives regulating this issue in Italy, and particularly in Tuscany. Subsequently, the usefulness of the application of Geographical Information Systems to the procedure of environmental impact assessment was examined, identifying the strengths and limitations. Then, the theme of the design of a database was analyzed in dept and described in detail, analyzing in particular the usefulness of a database in the various phases that make up the environmental impact assessment procedure. The methodological approach used was based on the identification of the potential and the abilities of a territory to incorporate the realization of a project or a work , determining the constraints and the limiting factors in relation to its characteristics and the state of its resources. In agreement with this method of evaluation, a series of themes were identified for a specific area, from which to draw the relevant information for the purpose of the assessment procedure and for draw up a specific database for the area of interest. The project chosen for the development of the database and for its application concerns the morphological restoration of the former lignite mine of S. Barbara a Cavriglia (AR), in order to make it useful again for production and residential purposes. The Centre for GeoTechnologies of University of Siena and Enel society both collaborate to the project. To project the database, a requirements analysis was necessary in order to identify the properties and functionality of the database, identifying the types of information needed for a first design. Then, the areas characterized by the Environmental Impact Study were schematized (for example Soil and Subsoil Theme, Water Theme, Cultural Heritage Theme…), relating to the reorganization plan of the former mine of S. Barbara and, for each area, the types of information needed have been identified. The design of the database was performed through a first conceptual design phase, which was followed by a phase of logical and physical design. In the three steps of the design, only entirely open source software have been used. For conceptual design the Open Model Sphere tool was used, which also allowed a first translation of the conceptual model to a logical scheme. The database was then implemented, from a physical point of view, using PostgreSQl with spatial extention PostGIS, in order to interface with spatial data. The database was then implemented exclusively for the territorial area corresponding to the area affected by the project of rehabilitation of the former mine. On the basis of the previously identified areas, and especially after the analysis of the Environmental Impact Study of the project, all the map data, freely distributed by various agencies (authorization to the free consultation, extraction and reproduction after the source is acknowledged), were collected. These data are considered to be necessary for a Environmental Impact Study regardless of the type of project subjected to study. After the implementation of the database, a methodology to be able to classify the territory of interest on the basis of the environmental sensitivity criterion was identified, in relation to the different areas identified in the Environmental Impact Study. The procedures have been developed by interfacing the database designed with the use of GIS open source software Quantum GIS. In particular, considering the consistent availability of freely distributed map data relating to the cultural heritage, a methodology for the classification of area based on the environmental sensitivity related to its archaeological risk has been identified.