The main challenge is the transformation of the territory from an area with high hydrogeological risk to a fully resilient and safe urban and peri-urban ecosystem, capable of coexisting with increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events. Castenaso directly borders the metropolitan city of Bologna (in addition to the cities of San Lazzaro di Savena, Granarolo dell’Emilia, Ozzano dell’Emilia, and Budrio). The specific challenge, shared with the Bolognese territory, is the mitigation of the flooding risk of the Idice torrent and its smaller tributaries, which cross and define the territory. The collapse of the Pedagna Bridge and the numerous levee breaches demonstrate structural fragility and the need for integrated interventions along the riverbed, involving the maintenance of in-stream vegetation and the restoration/reinforcement of riverbank defenses, in coordination with neighboring municipalities and the Basin Authority.
Due to climate change, extreme rainfall events and flash floods have become more frequent and severe, threatening urban safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. In Istanbul, heavy rainfall often overwhelms outdated drainage systems, causing water to flood streets, disrupt transportation, damage homes, and endanger lives. Cities across Northern Europe, including Helsinki, Tallinn, and Stockholm, face similar issues as climate change alters precipitation patterns. Urban areas must evolve from reactive flood response to predictive, data-driven, and resilient flood management.
