Water cities and Water cultural heritage: some inputs for research lines

Since the last three years the CNR-ICVBC of Rome has been involved in the international debate about water scarcity giving its original contribute to raise of awareness. Focusing on the fundamental role that water has played in the long history of the civilization, due to its many uses, but also to the multiple cultural values, both tangible and intangible, to which it is linked, CNR-ICVBC has promoted research projects in order to analyze and enhance in an innovative way diverse aspects of the water cultural heritage - such as architectural artifacts, settlements, traditional customs and symbolic values - also through the ICT support, and trying to promote dialogue on international bases (USA, Cina, ecc.). According with the latest UNESCO's interests in water fields (2013 has been proclaimed as the International Year of Water Cooperation, in order to raise awareness of the progressive water scarcity and promote cooperation, research and innovative solutions), a lecture could be a review of: - some research of mine relating to the close connection between water supplies, landscape and settlements, both civil and military, in Italian history from Roman period to nowadays; - and some CNR-ICVBC experiences in enhancing urban water cultural heritage (as in the context of the European Culture project "Water 'Shapes'. Meanings and uses of the most precious gift").