Lazio Launches Century-Old Hydrogeological Rulebook Overhaul
Regional authorities in Lazio have initiated a review to update hydrogeological restrictions that have relied on mapping from 1923. The VI Permanent Commission on Public Works and Infrastructure opened hearings on a regional council resolution proposal that replaces century-old paper boundaries with digital, interactive cartography covering all 378 municipalities in the region.
The overhaul stems from a proposal adopted by the regional executive on August 6, 2026, under regional law 53 of 1998. VI Commission President Cosmo Mitrano opened the legislative proceedings by highlighting the urgency of the reform. He noted that the region has not deliberated on the matter in a very long time, and that the new framework provides modern, transparent tools directly to local authorities and citizens.
Digital Mapping Replaces 1923 Decrees Across 378 Municipalities
Manuela Rinaldi, Assessore for Public Works and Infrastructure of the Lazio Region, explained that prior administrations operated using boundaries established by a royal decree issued more than a hundred years ago. Developed alongside the Sapienza University of Rome, the updated digital system offers administration-wide maps that are both precise and interactive. Rinaldi emphasized that the hydrogeological designation is not meant to halt construction, but rather to function as a knowledge and prescription tool for verifying soil stability and guiding sustainable development. The framework introduces streamlined bureaucracy for risk mitigation works in flood-prone areas through rapid executive board resolutions.
Maria Cristina Vecchi, Dirigente of the Area for Geological and Seismic Opinions, Soil and Reservoirs of the Regional Directorate for Public Works, detailed the technical scope of the digital inventory. The project comprises 538 high-precision vector maps divided into specific sections. Through an agreement with the Research Center for Geological Risks (CERI) at Sapienza University, satellite interferometric data was integrated into the platform to monitor ongoing ground deformations. These updates establish Lazio as the first region in Italy to implement next-generation digital hydrogeological perimetration.
Multi-Hazard Methodology Replaces Legacy Silvo-Pastoral Models
Carlo Esposito, a professor and scientific director at the CERI research center, worked alongside faculty members Gabriele Scarascia Mugnozza and Leonardo Maria Giannini to construct a multi-hazard scientific approach. Esposito stated that the new methodology moves past the purely silvo-forestal perspective of 1923 by integrating spatial analysis of hydraulic and geomorphological hazards.
The updated mapping identifies existing and potential landslides, classified as RI-A and RI-B areas, alongside erosion-prone zones labeled RI-C. It also outlines flood-prone sectors designated as E-A and E-B areas, modeled at a regional scale using the RESCUE system in collaboration with Roma Tre University. While the total protected surface area remains largely unchanged compared to historical figures, the primary transformation lies in mapping granularity. Rather than large, generalized polygons, the new boundaries reflect actual slope morphology and eliminate arbitrary disparities between neighboring towns.
Deadlines and Next Steps for the Regional Council
With the committee review underway alongside committee vice-president Micol Grasselli, council members Michele Nicolai and Giulio Menegali Zelli Iacobuzi, and ANCI Lazio director Corrado Felici, the timeline for legislative input is already set. Committee President Cosmo Mitrano established a deadline for the proceedings, announcing that regional council members must formalize any requests for hearings regarding the proposal by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
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