On April 10, 2025, a significant cooperation agreement was signed at the headquarters of Confindustria Caserta between the Campania Aerospace District (DAC) and the Fondazione Convivenza Vesuvio, marking a strategic step forward in integrating advanced aerospace technology with disaster prevention and territorial regeneration in the Vesuvian area.
The agreement, signed by Luigi Carrino, President of DAC, and Vincenzo Coronato, President of Fondazione Convivenza Vesuvio, in the presence of Beniamino Schiavone, President of Confindustria Caserta, aims to leverage aerospace innovation for the benefit of local communities living in high-risk volcanic zones. This collaboration puts the technological know-how and infrastructure of DAC—an ecosystem that includes over 30 large companies, 150 SMEs, 5 universities, and 5 international research centers—at the service of volcanic risk prevention and sustainable territorial planning.
Through this partnership, the Foundation will gain access to cutting-edge tools such as satellite data analysis, drone-based environmental monitoring, and evacuation scenario simulations, all of which will serve as strategic support for Vesuvian municipalities. The goal is to develop a smart evacuation model that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and territorial cohesion.
According to Luigi Carrino, tackling the Vesuvian emergency requires more than just civil protection tools: “It’s a challenge of innovation and social cohesion. Technology must be part of a shared approach that strengthens resilience and enhances the quality of life across vulnerable territories.”
Vincenzo Coronato emphasized that the Foundation’s work is complementary to national civil protection, aiming to preserve and promote the cultural, economic, and professional heritage of the 18 municipalities in the Vesuvian Red Zone.
A key component of the strategic proposal, already included in the Campania Regional Territorial Plan (PTR), is the functional twinning between high-risk municipalities and depopulated inland areas such as Upper Caserta, Southern Salerno, Eastern Sannio, and Alta Irpinia. These areas are estimated to have a surplus of over 165,000 vacant housing units, which could be repurposed through a smart redistribution plan in case of emergency. The objective is to maintain displaced populations within Campania, strengthening internal territories and avoiding socio-economic disruption.
Initial implementation of the protocol will involve the municipalities of Ottaviano, Terzigno, Cercola, and Boscoreale, where annual evacuation drills for 40,000 people will be organized. These exercises will include round-trip simulations within a single day to the twin municipalities, serving as a real-world testing ground for technologies and logistics solutions capable of handling high-volume population movements during alerts.
“This isn’t about managing emergencies in isolation,” explained Coronato, “It’s about building long-term, locally grounded solutions that meet real housing needs while revitalizing underused internal resources.”
Beniamino Schiavone highlighted the key role of private enterprises in supporting territorial development and offering young people new opportunities close to their roots. The project also received the endorsement of Carlo Marino, Mayor of Caserta and President of ANCI Campania, who praised the initiative as a model for public-private synergy in regional risk governance.
The agreement will be progressively extended to include other local authorities, universities, and European partners, with the long-term ambition of creating a stable co-design network rooted in science, governance, and community engagement. As Carrino concluded, “It’s not enough to collect data or draw maps, we need an integrated approach where science, institutions, and people work together to build a safer, more aware, and more vibrant Campania.”
This initiative reflects an innovative vision of resilience, where high-tech solutions become tools of territorial justice, sustainable planning, and collective safety.
#VesuvioSafe #SmartEvacuation #CampaniaInnovation #DAC #ConvivenzaVesuvio #AerospaceForResilience #TerritorialSecurity #DronesForSafety #RegenerationCampania
Instagram: @dac_campania, @convivenzavesuvio, @confindustriacaserta
Facebook: @DACCampania, @ConvivenzaVesuvio, @ConfindustriaCaserta