Planning parallels between flood risk management and ecological landscape design. The Italian regulatory system and the Po River case study

The growing instability of river ecosystems in terms of flooding danger requires risk management systems at the territorial level that can reconcile issues like territorial protection, environmental improvement and biodiversity management. This paper explores the need to propose models that relate to the dynamics of river ecosystems rather than forcing rigid, confining infrastructures on them. This paper will analyse the potential of ecological landscape design, nature-based solutions and a case study of the Po River to set out several theoretical assumptions needed to draw up large-scale planning and design strategies, where the use of said instruments takes account of the current climate adaptation and risk reduction needs and also allows enhancing the environmental, economic and cultural value of the territory and the landscape.