Last update
2026
Summary
In Veneto (Italy), floods, landslides and erosive phenomena have severely affected the region in recent years. Municipalities are exposed to the risk of flooding. This is exacerbated by increasing land consumption, which is more pronounced in northern Italy than in the rest of the country. For this reason, the municipalities of Santorso and Marano Vicentino (in the northern province of Vincenza) have implemented sponge measures in order to mitigate pluvial flooding and improve rainwater management.
Position
Latitude
45.7361111
Longitude
11.390555555555554
Project
SpongeScapes
Transboundary
0
Photo gallery
Location of the project
The municipality of Santorso (see also related case studies "Timonchio site, Italy" and "Agripolis site, Italy") is located near the Venetian Pre-Alps,and the area is crossed by two main rivers, the Leogra and the Timonchio, as well as by artificial channels. These waterways have played an essential role in the historical development of manufacturing processes and industrialisation, and are still used today for irrigation and runoff control. The history of the region has had a significant influence on the landscape (mix of agricultural, industrial and residential areas).
Project's objectives
The main objective of the case study is to analyse the impacts of the widespread adoption of the sponge measures in such a heterogeneous, anthropised environment. The co-benefits and trade-offs associated with these interventions will also be analysed, taking into account their economic implications for local stakeholders.
Involved Partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Area specifications
The sponge measures include various types of natural water retention measures, such as rain gardens, bioretention, grassed swales, pervious pavement or infiltration trenches. In addition, the water retention basin built in a rural area (municipality of Schio) allows water to be stored for irrigation, reducing drought damage to two neighbouring farms and enabling farmers to produce more profitable crops. It also offers ancillary benefits in terms of biodiversity and new recreational services. The implementation of these small, simple but effective solutions has solved some hydraulic problems and prevented flooding in residential and agricultural areas.
Financing authorities
Policy context
The sites of these case studies are located at the foot of the Venetian Pre-Alps and the area is crossed by two main rivers, the Leogra and the Timonchio, as well as by artificial channels. These waterways have played an essential role in the historical development of manufacturing processes and industrialisation, and are still used today for irrigation and runoff control. The history of the region has had a significant influence on the landscape (mix of agricultural, industrial and residential areas).
Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
| Activity stage | Name | Key issues | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Policy target
| Target purpose |
|---|
Policy pressure
| Pressure directive | Relevant pressure |
|---|---|
Policy impact
| Impact directive | Relevant impact |
|---|---|
Requirement directive
| Requirement directive | Specification |
|---|---|
Contractual arrangements
0
| Arrangement type | Responsibility | Role | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of wider plan
0
Wider plan type
| Wider plan type | Wider plan focus | Name | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
From 2020, the sponge measures are being monitored to accurately assess the effectiveness of the measures in terms of water retention and infiltration.
Success factor(s)
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
Driver
| Driver type | Driver role | Comments | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
English