The signs of the 1978 flood in the Vigezzo Valley (Northern Italy): a Citizen science project in the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark

Authors

  • Irene Maria Bollati Università degli Studi di Milano Author
  • Christian Guerra Ecomuseo Regionale “ed Leuzerie e di Scherpelit” Author
  • Laura Minacci Ecomuseo Regionale “ed Leuzerie e di Scherpelit” Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4454/hrffie95

Keywords:

Flood events, Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark, Citizen Science, Community maps, United Nation Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

On 7th-8th August 1978, a serious flood hit the Vigezzo valley, in the northeastern part of the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Italy). The flood, strictly linked to the bedrock features, was triggered by heavy rains and made even worse by unsuitable urban sprawl. It left evident scars in the landscape, now gradually getting lost. Anyway, deep signs are still impressed in the memory of local population and tourists, especially old people. Herein we describe the Citizen Science Project named “The signs of the 1978 flood in the Vigezzo Valley: the population tells”. Data collection started in 2021 through citizen collaboration (residents and tourists), and it is still ongoing. With the support and patronage of many local entities (e.g., municipalities), particularly the Regional Ecomuseum “ed Leuzerie e di Scherpelit”, in the Malesco municipality, an electronic form/paper survey has been distributed to collect information and pictures on the flood event, and to select the most meaningful sites in the valley in relation to the event. 34 sites suggested by citizen will be considered to create a community map and a trail of the flood event to preserve and transmit this heritage to future generations. The Citizen Science project is also discussed as contributor to different Sustainable Developments Goals (among which mainly to SDGs 4-9-11-13-17), of Agenda 2030 of United Nations in the framework of the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark.

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Published

2024-09-13

Issue

Section

Research and review papers

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