La pianificazione delle aree protette: evoluzione dei supporti cartografici per la redazione dei Piani d’Area/The planning of protected areas: evolution of cartographic supports for the drafting of Area Plans

Protected area planning in Piedmont is based on regional, national, and European regulatory instruments that protect natural resources, promote environmental education, and support local development. The Piedmont Po River Belt Area Plan revision process is based on a path initiated by the Po Project (1989) and is currently guided by the Piedmont Region’s 2024 Guidelines. An agreement between the Piedmont Po River Park and the DIST Department (Polytechnic University of Turin/ University of Turin) established methodological studies to support the plan’s revision. These studies integrate innovative methodologies to inform decision-making in areas requiring an understanding of vulnerabilities, risks, and potential solutions. Cartographic updates were conducted using photogrammetric drone surveys supported by Real Time Kinematic (RTK) technologies to obtain high-precision 3D models and orthoimages. Digital Twins are a key innovation in environmental planning, enabling the integration of multiscale and multitemporal data to improve ecosystem analysis and simulate the impact of transformations. Digital twins support ecotope classification, ecological analysis, and public participation through augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).