Living Lab Toscana Nord: Digitalisation for Hydrogeological Risk Mitigation

This policy brief examines the Living Lab Toscana Nord's digitalisation initiative to reduce hydrogeological risks in rural Italian mountain regions. It compares two scenarios: a 'Human Intensive' model prioritising community-technology interaction and stakeholder involvement in maintenance, preferred by Consorzio Toscana Nord; and a 'Technology Intensive' model relying on automated monitoring with minimal community input. Based on 2021 workshops and DESIRA project research (Grant Agreement No. 818194), the brief advocates for public-funded technology development, improved rural connectivity, digital skills training, and co-design approaches to strengthen community resilience. It highlights economic incentives for farmers via digital platforms and integrates citizen observations with technological monitoring. Authored by Livia Ortolani and Fabio Lepore, the brief was published in February 2022.