Module Objectives

The aim of this course is the understanding of the method of environmental impact assessment (EIA), aiming at the protection of the natural environment but also the society that depends on it. The multi-disciplinary content of this method, is viewed from the prism of Geography and its interdisciplinary approach. Through the course, the students will gain understanding of the basic institutional and theoretical content of the EIA method, while applying it through exercises and projects carried out during the course.

Course Content

Theory: Institutional context of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EU Directives, local management). The process of EIA. Projects and activities that go through the EIA process. Environmental parameters that are assessed (e.g., soil, climate, landscape). Anthropogenic parameters that are assessed (e.g., land use, built environment, cultural and historical environment). Methods of assessing impacts (e.g., lookup tables, matrices, mapping, expert judgement, Battelle system). EIAs applied in various ecosystem types and various spatial scales. Use of EIA outputs in the process of decision-making.

Practicals: Exploration and analysis of EIAs. Exploration of ecological parameters. Exploration of social and economic parameters. Interdisciplinary assessment of the ecological and socio-economic parameters towards a holistic EIA. Analysis of policy objectives and adaptation to the different case studies. Critical reflection on the results of EIA.

Teaching and Assessment

The course is taught during three hours per week, with 1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of practical exercises. The assessment happens through a written report and final exam.