Rocks and water in the built environment

Abstract

Water and rock masses (both as supporting terrains and as source of geological materials such as natural stones) have been along history, still are at present and will be in the future, critical components for the development and persistence of the built environment. In this chapter are discussed diverse interplays between these geological components both in terms of opportunities and threats, showing lines of conceptual continuity from the rock masses to the built structures made from stone (rock materials). Among the many issues considered, one can highlight the one concerning rock masses as sources of water, which might become more pressing due to climate change and serves to illustrate the many complex points to be considered in terms of terrain management, such as the constraints on the development of structures and the potential for renewable energy in isolated places (which also carries the potential hazard of induced seismicity). This issue has also implications in terms of the built heritage, namely the importance of preserving stoneworks that represent mementoes of ancient water sources