Mozambique Integrated Urban Development by Actions and Relationships: Empowering Local Governance (MUDAR). Local Authorities: Partnerships for sustainable cities- 2021

Funding provided by: Europe Aid
Period: 2022-2025
Coordinator: Autonomous Province of Trento (PAT)
Partners: University of Trento and Universidade Zambeze (Co-Applicants), Conselho Municipal da Beira, Instituto de Formação em Administração Pública e Autárquica da Beira.

The project MUDAR is a decentralised cooperation project aiming at promoting an integrated urban development and an empowered local governance in order to improve the living conditions of the population of Beira, Mozambique. MUDAR will foster the delivery of efficient services for citizens in a greener, more resilient Beira, thanks to improved capacities of the Conselho Municipal da Beira to apply urban governance methods and principles (outcome 1), adequate urban planning in most unserved neighbourhoods such as Macuti (outcome 2), and support to the digital transition of the Municipality, which will foster job creation (outcome 3).

Department involved: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering

PRIN 2017

Inventing the Global Environment: Science, Politics, Advocacy and the Environment-Development Nexus in the Cold War and Beyond
Funding provided by: MUR
Period: 2020-2023
Coordinator: University of Trento
Partners: University of Genoa, University of Naples Federico II, University of Trieste

The project aims to analyze the role of scientists in the development of environmental policies starting from the growing tension between the desire to protect the environment and the need to promote national economic growth. This tension is known as the environment-development nexus.

The project investigates how scientists and the so-called “hard sciences” have historically influenced decision making on development projects with a high level of environmental impact in the southern hemisphere.

The Trento research unit focuses particularly on the environmental consequences of dam construction in Africa and also analyzes the perception that local communities and NGOs have of scientists involved in development projects and the relationship between local governments and international and local scientific communities.

Department involved: School of International Studies

 

Saving Water, Growing Crops

Remote-controlled irrigation system to address water scarcity and promote preservation of available freshwater resources (EuropeAid - Demonstration Projects on Efficient Use of Water)
Funding provided by: Europe Aid
Period: 2020-2023
Partners: Oikos Institute, NGO, Al Shouf Cedar Society (ACS), Edmund Mach Foundation, (FEM), Blue Tentacles (BT), Association for Community and Environment (ACE), Nadir, NGO

The project is implemented in Lebanon and addresses the negative consequences of climate change related to the use of water in agriculture through the introduction of a precision drip irrigation system and the rehabilitation of rain water collection systems. The target area is the Shouf Biosphere Reserve.

The University of Trento is responsible for the scientific component related to the introduction of an innovative irrigation solution in the Reserve. The project is coordinated by the Oikos Onlus Institute in Milan and was presented during the EuropeAid cooperation and development call for proposals.

Departments involved: Center for Agriculture, Food, Environment; Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering

Sustainable development and the fight against climate change in Alto Huallaga – Peru

Funding provided by: Autonomous Province of Trento
Period: 2020 - 2023
Coordinator: Mandacarù ONLUS

The project is carried out in the Alto Huallaga Valley of Peru, where several international cooperation projects have been implemented since 2014 which focus on the development of sustainable agriculture and the promotion of biodiversity to offer an alternative solution to the illegal trafficking of coca. Mandacarù ONLUS in particular has facilitated the formation and continued development of a network of baby banana producers.

The role of UniTrento is to analyze the critical environmental factors that influence local agricultural production: the environmental and atmospheric conditions responsible for the generation of extreme weather events characterized by high intensity winds that cause damage to crops, as well as the morphological dynamics of the Huallaga River which modifies the landscape of cultivated areas through erosion.

The results of the study will be used to implement adaptation strategies (warning systems, migration of crops between the floodplain and river islands) for greater socio-economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural production and local development.

Department involved: Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering