RISULTATI

PUBBLICAZIONI

Urban Regeneration Using the Sound: The Project Augmented Reality Soundscape (ARS).

Rosa Anna La Rocca, Romano Fistola, Ida Zingariello, F. Fabbri

Abstract

Il progetto “Augmented Reality Soundscape” (ARS) affronta il tema della rigenerazione urbana e rappresenta una prima applicazione per testare l'uso della realtà aumentata applicata ai suoni. Fa parte di una ricerca più ampia volta a definire metodi per promuovere azioni di rigenerazione urbana soft. Gli autori hanno scelto il termine soft per sottolineare la possibilità di intervenire sui beni urbani utilizzando metodi e procedure che si basano sul coinvolgimento degli abitanti del luogo e agiscono senza contrasti. Questo processo si sviluppa in tre fasi principali: 1) la sostenibilità (economica, ambientale e sociale) dell'intervento; 2) i processi partecipativi attraverso il coinvolgimento degli attori locali; 3) la valutazione degli effetti dell'intervento. L'uso del paesaggio sonoro nella riqualificazione urbana è un campo ancora inesplorato della ricerca urbanistica che può essere indagato con l'obiettivo di definire occasioni condivise per trans-formare e utilizzare gli spazi pubblici urbani dando loro la possibilità di fungere da magnete di cura e attenzione a residenti e turisti. L'articolo nella prima parte introduce a questa idea di utilizzare anche i suoni per “aumentare” la percezione di uno spazio fisico, nella seconda parte presenta i primi risultati di un'applicazione dell'ARS a Cachan (Francia) realizzata con il coinvolgimento degli studenti dell'Università Paris-Saclay di Cachan.

La Rocca, R.A., Fistola, R., Zingariello, I., Fabbri, F. 2025. Urban Regeneration Using the Sound: The Project Augmented Reality Soundscape (ARS). In: Borgogno-Mondino, E., Zamperlin, P. (eds) Geomatics for Green and Digital Transition. ASITA 2024. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 2463. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-91141-5_25

A composite index for defining territorial fruition of geopaleontological sites in inner area of Campania (southern Italy).

Rosa Anna La Rocca, Romano Fistola, Ida Zingariello

Abstract

This study addresses the issue of using composite indicators as a support decision-making tool in the definition of policies aimed at promoting sustainable development in inner areas. Inner areas chosen as case study refer to two geopaleontological sites that, despite their value as historical evidence, are considered as “external resources” not mainstreamed into their own territorial system. Starting from a systematic scientific literature review mainly aimed at defining the concept of “territorial fruition”, this study proposes to individuate and measuring the propensity of territory in which these resources locate to act as magnets for a global design of territorial revitalization. The use of the term revitalization within this study is no coincidence, it serves to underline the peculiarities of the two territorial settings as inner areas (affected by depopulation; aging population; lack of primary services; difficulty in accessibility, etc.) and thus their need to be studied as parts of a global territorial system to be really revived as a whole. The revitalization process must stem from the consideration of existing and potential interactions between the study areas and the broader territorial context. This includes integrating and connecting cultural assets, eco-environmental features, socio-ethnic singularities, and historical, architectural, and urban values into a joint-cohesive system. According to these premises and with the primary aim of pinpointing those variables that can express the essence of the chosen territorial contexts, this study investigates the aspects adequate to define their sustainable usability mainly referred to: - identify a threshold value for the territorial attractiveness; - define territorial accessibility (physical reachability, services accessibility); - find out types of tourism compatible with the need to both preserve and promote such territorial heritage. Case studies refer to the territorial contexts: a) “Ciampate del diavolo” in which have been identified some human footprints dating back around 350.000 years ago; b) “Le Cavere” that at present lays on the mountains but approximately 110 million years ago it was a tropical lagoon. The study assumes the systemic complex approach to territorial analysis, and it aims at defining a scalable method for the evaluation of other geo-sites while recognizing the singularity of cases. It has been developed within the PRIN 2022 INSITE funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR).

La Rocca, R.A., Fistola, R., Zingariello, I., 2025. A composite index for defining territorial fruition of geopaleontological sites in inner area of Campania (southern Italy). 10th EUGEO Congress 2025, Vienna, Austria, 8–11 Sept 2025

Promoting sustainable territorial development in inner areas through paleontological heritage: the case study of Campania region in southern Italy

Filomena Ornella Amore, Carmen Argenio, Mauro Di Vito, Romano Fistola, Rosa Anna La Rocca, Adolfo Panarello, Maria Rosaria Senatore, Ida Zingariello

Abstract

The study presented has been developed within the PRIN 2022 INSITE: Integrated Shared Knowledge: From Geo-Paleontological Heritage to Present Territorial Challenges, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. The project involves two teams of experts from different cultural backgrounds fully integrated in developing activities and pursuing objectives. The two teams consist of territorial experts and palaeontologists, who jointly implement all project activities to reach a development proposal by enhancing cultural assets connected within a territorial network. Conducted with a multidisciplinary approach, the study suggests that geo-heritage can drive sustainable territorial development by defining adequate strategies that can improve the knowledge of territorial resources and their use for sustainable tourism typologies (i.e., slow and cultural tourism). The INSITE project focuses on two pilot sites in the Campania region. The selected case studies are Pietraroja and Le Ciampate del diavolo, chosen because of their peculiarities of being both high-value paleontological resources inside an urban context. These paleontological resources are precious for revitalization if they are mainstreamed into a global design of compatible territorial development. The Fossil Park in Pietraroja “Le Cavere” is notable for the discovery of a small dinosaur fossil, Scypionyx samniticus, commonly called “CIRO”, found in the sediments of a tropical lagoon dating back approximately 110 million years and is renowned for its exceptional fossilization (Dal Sasso and Maganuco, 2011). The site of Ciampate del diavolo is an ichnosite that preserves evidence allowing for behavioural and structural evaluations of Middle Pleistocene hominins. The human footprints found here are likely attributable to Homo heidelbergensis or archaic Homo neanderthalensis and are among the oldest and rarest in the world (Mietto et al., 2022). Both sites rely precariously on a few enthusiasts striving to restore them for public use. In this sense, the INSITE project aims at setting adequate solutions to consider both the need to preserve and improve the fruition of these sites. On one hand, some virtual solutions are proposed, on the other hand, some collaborations among researchers and local communities are being implemented.

Amore, F.O., Argenio, C., Di Vito, M.A., Fistola, R., La Rocca, R.A., Panarello, A., Senatore, M.R., Zingariello, I., 2025. Promoting sustainable territorial development in inner areas through paleontological heritage: the case study of Campania region in southern Italy. 10th EUGEO Congress 2025, Vienna, Austria, 8–11 Sept 2025

The Paleontological Heritage as a Mean for Territorial Revitalization: Innovative Communication Modalities for Pietraroja Site (Southern Italy)

Filomena Ornella Amore, Carmen Argenio, Romano Fistola, Mattia Yuri Messina, Andrea Rastelli,Ida Zingariello, Rosa Anna La Rocca

Abstract

This study was carried out with a multidisciplinary approach to define a method for improving territorial revitalization through enhancing the paleontological heritage, highlighting potentialities in promoting territorial valorization, particularly for inner areas. The methodology is applied to the Pietraroja site in the Campania region, which was selected because of its large scientific significance for palaeontology and geology. The Pietraroja site (Benevento) is universally known as the place in which the fossil of a small dinosaur, Scypionix samniticus, was found. This study mainly aims to broaden the fruition of the Pietraroja site by designing and creating immersive digital environments allowing for remote access from all over the world via the Internet. In this regard, innovative technologies such as virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality have been utilized to set up digital spaces for visitors who can explore the features of the cultural site and appreciate its high cultural value. The adoption of these new technologies represents the way to propose to the public the cultural contents of the Pietraroja site and to tell the story of the formation of the place.

Amore, F.O., Argenio, C., Fistola, R., Messina, M.Y., Rastrelli, A., Zingariello, I., La Rocca, R.A., 2025. The paleontological heritage as a mean for territorial revitalization: innovative communication modalities for Pietraroja site (southern Italy). Geoheritage (17,31), https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-025-01081-w

Cultural heritage and territorial development: The “Paleocycling Route”. Living and Walking in Cities SMART MOBILITY AND SHARED URBAN SPACES

Romano Fistola, Rosa Anna La Rocca, Filomena Ornella Amore , Ida Zingariello, Carmen Argenio

Abstract

Questo articolo, nell'ambito del progetto PRIN-INSITE, esplora le potenzialità delle risorse geo-paleontologiche come “magneti territoriali” in grado di guidare la riqualificazione delle aree interne attraverso un turismo lento e sostenibile. Il progetto sostiene un approccio olistico per collegare beni territoriali spesso trascurati, ma unici. A tal proposito, questa parte della ricerca propone il progetto di un percorso ciclabile il cui obiettivo è collegare alcuni dei giacimenti geo-paleontologici della regione Campania. Il tracciato dell'itinerario ciclistico comprende diversi comuni situati nelle province di Caserta e Benevento. Partendo dal sito noto come “Le Ciampate del Diavolo” nel comune di Tora e Piccilli (CE), si arriva fino a Pietraroja (BN), dove è stato rinvenuto il fossile Scipionyx samniticus. Per valorizzare la rilevanza di questi due siti paleontologici, il percorso è stato denominato “Paleocycling Route”, e si snoderà attraverso la rete stradale esistente e i nuovi tracciati che attraversano l'area del Parco del Matese. Tecnicamente, la Paleocycling Route (PCR) dovrebbe coprire circa 80 km e può essere percorsa con le E-MTB in circa quattro ore. In questo contesto, discuteremo delle possibilità che questo progetto potrebbe offrire considerando tre livelli diversi ma interconnessi: a) a livello amministrativo dà impulso a una visione collaborativa tra i comuni coinvolti; b) a livello territoriale rappresenta un'occasione per investire nella crescita sociale ed economica delle aree interne colpite dallo spopolamento e dall'invecchiamento della popolazione attraverso forme di turismo sostenibile; c) una linea di ricerca basata sull'interazione tra territorio, mobilità e ambiente.

Fistola, R., La Rocca, R.A., Amore, F.O., Zingariello, I., Argenio, C., 2025. Cultural heritage and territorial development: The “Paleocycling Route”. Living and Walking in Cities SMART MOBILITY AND SHARED URBAN SPACES, XXVII International Conference  LWC 2025, 11-12 September 2025, Brescia (in press).

Improving the territorial awareness through paleontological heritage: preliminary results from Pietraroja site (southern Italy)

Ornella Amore, Filomena ; Argenio, Carmen ; Di Vito, Mauro Antonio ; Fistola, Romano ; Messina, Mattia Yuri ; Panarello, Adolfo ; Rastelli, Andrea ; Zingariello, Ida ; La Rocca, Rosa Anna

Abstract

This study is part of a larger research project (INSITE) - PRIN 2022 founded by MUR - Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca. It is focused on two pilot sites to highlight the intrinsic potentialities of the paleontological heritage as a tool for valorising territorial resources, particularly referring to inner areas. These sites, Pietraroja (PTJ) and Le Ciampate del Diavolo (LCD), are areas of great paleontological importance, in the Campania region. The PTJ (Benevento) is the place where the fossil of a small dinosaur, Scypionix samniticus named CIRO, was found. The LCD ichnosite (Caserta) preserves elements that allow behavioural and structural evaluations of hominins of the middle Pleistocene. The main intention of the study refers to the attempt to broaden the spectrum of interest around these sites, suggesting mainstreaming the potentialities of the whole territorial context in which these sites are located. To identify innovative communication modalities and to develop a new knowledge model, we present here the reconstruction of Pietraroja paleoenvironment using technological tools. Using immersive technologies for virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality models, it is possible to build an immersive digital space in which the visitor will perceive the original environment and interact with the fossils' virtual avatar. The CIRO digital model was obtained based on complete information on the anatomical structure of Scipionyx samniticus and, through accurate 3D modeling, the digital model of the dinosaur was generated. The same approach was used to recreate the landscape and the marine and vegetation species.

Amore, F.O., Argenio, C., Di Vito, M.A., Fistola, R., Messina, M.Y., Panarello, A., Rastelli, A., Zingariello, I., La Rocca, R.A., 2024. Improving the territorial awareness through paleontological heritage: preliminary results from Pietraroja site (southern Italy). EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-12875, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-12875, 2024.

The paleontological heritage and innovative communication modalities for the territorial development

Ornella Amore, Filomena ; Argenio, Carmen ; Di Vito, Mauro Antonio ; Fistola, Romano ; Messina, Mattia Yuri ; Panarello, Adolfo ; Rastelli, Andrea ; Zingariello, Ida ; La Rocca, Rosa Anna

Abstract

We present the preliminary results from the research project (INSITE) - PRIN 2022 founded by MUR – Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca. This study focuses on the consideration that geoheritage can act as a driver factor for territorial sustainable development also for cultural and slow tourism, particularly in inner areas. Two sites in Campania region have been considered as case studies because of their paleontology, paleoanthropology, geology, and geophysics significance The site of Pietraroja (PTJ), located in Benevento’s province, is the place where a baby dinosaur, Scypionix samniticus, was found, drowned in a tropical lagoon about 110 Ma ago, known in the world for its perfect fossilization (Dal Sasso & Maganuco, 2011). The site known as “Le Ciampate del Diavolo” (LCD)” is in Caserta’s province and preserves animal and human footprints, very likely referable to Homo heidelbergensis or archaic Homo neanderthalensis, which are among the oldest and rarest in the world (Mietto et al., 2022). Considering these two paleontological sites as part of the whole system of the cultural heritage supply in Campania, the project INSITE considers two primary levels for their promotion. On one hand, it tries to define a global design to help residents and social parts of the territorial context in which the sites are located realize the uniqueness in which they live.

On the other hand, based on the potentialities of the innovative technologies, the project proposes to develop new models of knowledge by using immersive technologies for virtual, augmented, and mixed reality models and communication modalities supported by widely used devices. Referring to the knowledge model, the use of GIS-based informative technologies allows for the systematization of information in the shared database and the construction of a knowledge model applied to cultural contexts and paleontological sites as a cultural part of the heritage. Referring to the elaboration of digital models, the two pilot sites could be elaborated in mixed reality environments (AR/VR) and, thus, propose additional methods of use than the on-site fruition.

Amore, F.O., Argenio, C., Di Vito, M.A., Fistola, R., La Rocca, R.A., Messina, M.Y., Panarello, A., Rastelli, A., Zingariello, I., 2024. The paleontological heritage and innovative communication modalities for the territorial development. Congresso congiunto della Società Geologica Italiana (SGI) e della Società Italiana di Mineralogia e Petrologia (SIMP) 2024, Bari. Abstract Book. 1014 pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3301/ABSGI.2024.02

The paleontological heritage as a catalyst for regional development.

Ornella Amore, Filomena ; Argenio, Carmen ; Fistola, Romano ; Natale, Martina ; Luciano, Jaqueline ;Zingariello, Ida ; La Rocca, Rosa Anna

Abstract

This study presents some findings from the INSITE research project, which uses a multidisciplinary approach to promote the sustainable use of paleontological sites, focusing on two pilot sites: Pietraroja (PTJ) and Le Ciampate del Diavolo (LCD). PTJ (BN) is renowned for the fossil of Scipionyx samniticus (Dal Sasso & Maganuco, 2011). LCD (CE) features ancient footprints associated with Homo heidelbergensis (Mietto et al., 2022). The research INSITE aims to define a territorial redevelopment project starting from the presence of paleontological sites, also using co-design techniques. In this part of the research work, techniques for involving local communities were developed to test the awareness of being in territories that are somehow unique. Through the Living Lab, it was possible to start a first involvement of the local community. The questionnaire technique was used to collect information and elaborate first considerations on the progress of the project. These questionnaires were aimed both at collecting information on the level of awareness and at allowing respondents to put forward proposals for the valorization and promotion of the sites. In this context, the elaborations carried out so far are presented. Further developments of the research concern the use of immersive technologies to create virtual, augmented and mixed reality models of both sites, providing innovative methods of involvement (Fistola et al., 2020; Amore et al., 2025).

Amore, F.O., Argenio, C., Fistola, R., Natale, M., Luciano, J., Zingariello, I., La Rocca, R.A., 2025. The paleontological heritage as a catalyst for regional development. Di Martino E, Rosso A. & Sanfilippo R. (Editors) 2025. Paleodays 2025. Abstract Book del XXV Convegno della Società Paleontologica Italiana, 4-6 giugno 2025, Catania (Italy).

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