Description and goals

The proposal aims to establish a methodological framework to facilitate dialogue on socio-environmental risks, ecosystem degradation, and environmental risks related to climate change and their management among citizens and institutions operating at various levels of governance. As widely documented in the literature, the perception of environmental risks, ecosystem degradation, and the impacts of climate change is influenced by a number of individual and collective factors. These include cognitive aspects, such as risk awareness and understanding, which are shaped by familiarity with climate change and access to relevant information. In addition, contextual, historical, and socio-cultural factors, such as previous experiences of disasters, local traditions, and social pressures, play a significant role in shaping community preparedness and resilience. Trust in government and private institutions further influences behaviors.

Based on previous research conducted in various geographical contexts, the project seeks to analyze perception patterns related to environmental risks, ecosystem degradation, and the impacts of climate change in three urban contexts under study. To this end, CITIES will carry out specific activities: Documentary analysis of the risk landscape of the pilot cases (Bacoli, Enna, and Macerata); Focus groups with institutions and key informants (such as scholars and researchers) to identify the limitations of current risk management; Online surveys to be distributed to the population; Working groups involving representatives of focus groups and institutions to develop the best strategies; Development of a website that maps risk perception and identifies the most exposed areas in the urban contexts studied.