Naturalization: a New Concept Developed and Carried Out in the Subject " Environmental Technology " of Degree in Industrial Engineering

Abstract

Environmental Technology is a 6 credits transversal subject included in the curriculum of all the degrees in Industrial Engineering at the Higher Polytechnic School of the University of Seville. In the last 5 academic courses, the students of this matter have been working with the concept of “Naturalization”. In the different topics which are studied in this subject, they have to apply the naturalization of the systems in order to use natural resources for improving processes. The Naturalization implies improvements in energetic efficiency, development of green spaces and CO2 capture and can be applied the majority of the industrial and urban activities. Some of the most meaningful results that our students have researched are: i) Naturalization of a large pond in a business park in Jaen (Spain) performing its layout and eventually implementing it, using plants to improve water quality and stones for fix them and to give support for bacterial biofilms. The students have improved their skills not only in the increase of new knowledge but in the ability of work in groups and carry out a real project under different points of view. ii) Project of naturalization of a neighbourhood in Seville, based on the increase of green spaces, with vegetal species which are able to capture electromagnetic radiations and CO2 emissions as well. iii) Naturalization of the margins of one lagoon in a park in Seville, transforming the precast panelled walls in breakwater bed of stones planted with bank river plants in order to improve the water quality and the landscape.