Umberto Baresi

Dr. Umberto Baresi (BSc, MSc, PhD) is an urban and environmental planner with international experience in Australia and Italy. He has contributed to urban plans and land use regulations in several Italian cities while conducting original research at Politecnico di Milano. With expertise in environmental planning, strategic assessment, governance, and sustainable development, Dr. Baresi has led several high-impact government-funded projects securing over AUD $3 million in research funding. notable projects include: Australian National Environmental Science Program (Regional planning in Northern Australia: Building a community of practice and sentinel case studies for supporting improved approaches to achieve Environmentally Sustainable Development); Great Barrier Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program; Monitoring the effectiveness of the Great Barrier Reef 2050 Plan. Dr. Baresi's research addresses the human impacts of urban planning on the environment, with a focus on improving strategic decision-making and impact assessment practices in planning frameworks. His work is published in peer-reviewed journals and presented to international audiences, making significant contributions to the field. He is an active member of: IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy; Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand; International Association for Impact Assessment; Planning Institute of Australia; Public Library of Science (Editorial board).

Interests:
Strategic environmental assessment;
Geographic information systems;
Urban and regional planning;
Environmental planning and ecosystem governance;
Climate mitigation and adaptation;
Nature-based solutions;
Indigenous and local knowledge;
Ecotheology.