Ateneo - UPO

The integrated course provides a comprehensive overview of the relationships between environment, territory, and health by combining the analysis of environmental policies and governance with the study of the main environmental determinants of health.
The first module (Geography and Environmental Territorial Policy) introduces the fundamental concepts and approaches of environmental and territorial geography, examining territory as a complex system of environmental, social, economic, and institutional relationships. The module explores the principles of sustainable development, territorial governance, and environmental planning, with particular attention to public policies and planning instruments operating at different geographical scales. It also addresses contemporary territorial transformations, resilience, environmental quality, and quality of life through the analysis of case studies and best practices.
The second module (Health and Environment) focuses on the impacts of the environment on human health, including infectious and chronic diseases, the effects of pollution and environmental determinants of health, as well as the territorial management of natural hazards, environmental emergencies, and disasters.

Dematteis Giuseppe (2021), Geografia come immaginazione: Tra piacere della scoperta e ricerca di futuri possibili, Roma, Donzelli Editore.Lanzani Arturo, Renzoni Cristina (2026), La città lago: L’arcipelago urbano del Cusio, Roma, Donzelli Editore.Zazzi Michele, Campagna Michele (2024), Metodi e strumenti innovativi nei processi di governo del territorio, XXV Conferenza Nazionale: SIU Transizioni, giustizia spaziale e progetto di territorio Cagliari 15-16 giugno 2023 - available for free download:https://iris.unibs.it/retrieve/33f16339-a1ef-4ff9-894b-1b4615d389da/Bianchi%2c%20S.%20Valutare%20la%20sostenibilit%c3%a0%20delle%20trasformazioni%20urbane.%20Atti%20SIU%2c%202024.pdf

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and methodological foundations of geography applied to environmental and territorial planning, with particular emphasis on the relationships between environment, territory, health, and quality of life.Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:understand territory as a complex system of environmental, social, economic, and institutional relationships;analyse territorial dynamics using geographical concepts and methods across different spatial scales;understand the main approaches and tools of environmental and territorial planning aimed at sustainability, resilience, and community well-being;critically assess the impacts of territorial transformations on environmental quality and human health, with particular reference to prevention, territorial equity, and environmental justice;analyse and interpret case studies, identifying challenges, opportunities, and possible governance strategies;apply geographical methods and planning tools through laboratory-based activities focused on developing sustainable territorial development proposals.The course also aims to promote an interdisciplinary perspective on environmental and territorial planning, highlighting the role of geographical knowledge in supporting policies and strategies that foster sustainable development, environmental protection, and the well-being of both communities and ecosystems.

None.

The course includes lectures and thematic seminars, combining traditional teaching with active and participatory learning approaches. A variety of teaching materials and resources - including presentations, maps, policy documents, case studies, multimedia content, and digital resources - will be used to support students' understanding of the topics covered and their territorial implications. Guided discussions and the critical analysis of case studies and best practices will encourage active participation and foster students' ability to interpret the complexity of environmental and territorial dynamics through a critical and interdisciplinary perspective.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

For the Geography and Environmental Territorial Policy module, students may choose one of the following assessment methods:Individual project presentation (PowerPoint), consisting of the analysis of a case study or the development of a proposal related to environmental and territorial planning on a topic agreed upon with the lecturer;Oral examination, designed to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the course contents, the required readings, and their ability to critically discuss the topics covered.Assessment will be based on the following criteria:knowledge and understanding of the course content;ability to apply geographical concepts and territorial planning approaches to real-world case studies;critical thinking and the ability to establish connections between different topics;appropriate use of scientific language and disciplinary terminology;clarity of presentation and argumentation.Grades will be awarded on a 18–30/30 scale according to the following indicative criteria:18–21: basic knowledge and understanding of the main topics;22–24: satisfactory knowledge and ability to apply key concepts;25–27: good command of the subject, sound analytical skills, and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology;28–30: excellent knowledge, critical thinking, independent judgement, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.The final grade for the integrated course is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the individual modules.

The first module provides an in-depth study of geography and economic geography, geography and spatial relations, geographical paradigms and models, representations of the environment and environmental issues, sustainability and environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and forms of pollution; environmental information, concepts and actors of environmental policies, instruments of environmental policies (global, European, and national level), environment and participation, environmental protection and conservation, protected areas, from constraints to projects: cases and good practices.
Integration of the gender dimension: climate crisis and gender issues.
The second module addresses the impact of the environment on health, introducing the health system, primary care, population health status, and main determinants. Infectious and chronic diseases, environmental risks, prevention, access to healthcare, and the management of disasters and emergencies, such as heatwaves and floods, are considered, including issues of active citizenship and sustainability in healthcare.
Integration of the gender dimension: the gender dimension is considered in the analysis of concepts and in the case studies addressed during the module.

a) Knowledge and understanding
Students acquire knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts of economic and spatial geography, territorial relations, and environmental issues. The course provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary environmental policy instruments, situated in the national, European, and global context, and of the connections between environmental degradation or recovery phenomena and the objectives of sustainable development and economic growth. At the same time, students gain knowledge of the health system, the population’s health status, and the main determinants of health, understanding the implications of environmental risks, disasters, and emergencies on public health.
b) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The course develops critical analysis skills and autonomy of judgement: students are able to analyse territorial and environmental contexts, anticipate sustainable actions, evaluate policies and instruments, and identify the most appropriate or effective ones. Communication skills are enhanced through the ability to structure and present environmental recovery and enhancement projects, and learning skills are fostered by integrating theoretical and methodological concepts with direct observation of territorial data and bibliographic sources. Students are also able to interact effectively with health professionals in multidisciplinary projects and to understand and manage the complexity of the interactions between environment, policies, sustainability, and public health.
c) Judgement skills
Students develop the ability to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different environmental policy instruments in the context of sustainable development and to formulate critical judgements on the impact of environmental policies on health and territory, taking into account the complexity of the relationships between environment, sustainability, and health systems.