Updated on February 26, 2026

A. POSITIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY CAREER

Present position

From 1 October 2015: Professor (Scientific educational sector ICAR/20 Urban and regional planning and technique, Competitive sector 08/F1 Urban and regional planning and design), at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale e Architettura, DICAAR) of the University of Cagliari.

Past positions

15 September 2001 – 30 September 2015: Associate Professor, permanent position confirmed from 15 September 2004 (Sector ICAR/20) at the University of Cagliari. In January 2014 he attained the Scientific national qualifying examination as Full Professor (Sector 08/F1), at the University of Cagliari.

6 September 1995 – 14 September 2001: University Researcher (in Italian “Ricercatore universitario”), permanent position confirmed from 6 September 1998 (Sector ICAR/20 Urban and regional planning and technique), at the University of Cagliari.

B. EDUCATION

1997: Doctor of Philosophy in Economics at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, Dissertation in urban economics on “Building Abusivism and Condono: An Estimate for a Metropolitan Area of Sardinia, Italy”.

1992: Doctor of Research in Spatial Planning at University of Reggio Calabria, Dissertation on “Aree protette marine e costiere e pianificazione del territorio” [“Coastal and Marine Protected Areas and Spatial Planning”].

1990: Master in Economic Policy and Planning at Northeastern University, Boston.

1986 Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Cagliari (final grade: 110/110 Summa cum laude), Thesis on: “Ipotesi per un intervento nel Centro Storico della città di Cagliari, Quartiere Marina” [“Hypothesis Concerning an Intervention within the Historic Center of the City of Cagliari, Marina Neighborhood”].

C. PUBLISHED WORKS

MONOGRAPHS AND EDITED BOOKS AND JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUES

Since 2000 Corrado Zoppi has published: six monographs, of which two written in English (2022 and 2016) and four in Italian (2023, 2006, 2003 and 2000); two edited special issues of Sustainability (this journal is indexed on WOS and Scopus (Scopus code 21100240100), and classified by the Italian Agency for the Assessment of University and Research (ANVUR) among the A-Class journals of Scientific Area 08), one edited special issue of the Italian Journal of Regional Science (2013: this journal is indexed on Scopus (Scopus code 21100211748) and classified by the Italian Agency for the Assessment of University and Research (ANVUR) among the scientific journals of Scientific Area 08); and, seven edited books (2024, 2023, 2013, 2012a, 2012b, 2008, 2003), of which one in English (2012a) and six in Italian.

ESSAYS PUBLISHED IN EDITED BOOKS AND CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS

Since 2000 Corrado Zoppi has published 139 essays, of which 58 written in English and 81 in Italian. Among the publishers: Springer International (Basel, Switzerland); Nova Publishers (Hauppauge, NY, United States); FrancoAngeli (Milan, Italy); Bruno Mondadori (Milan, Italy); Gangemi (Rome, Italy).

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN INDEXED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS CLASSIFIED AS A-CLASS JOURNALS BY ANVUR

Corrado Zoppi has published the following articles in indexed international journals classified as A-Class journals by ANVUR. The following list reports the articles published in the period 2015-2024.

"Mapping spatial synergies and trade-offs: A geographically weighted analysis of ecosystem services and carbon sequestration in Southern Italy" (with Federica Isola, Bilge Kobak, Sabrina Lai, Francesca Leccis and Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XVIII, n. 4 (2146), 2026, 30 pp.; WOS: to be assigned; Scopus: to be assigned.

"Climate crisis and spatial planning. Green infrastructure and supply of ecosystem services" (Editorial Preface with Carmela Gargiulo and Beniamino Murgante), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 2.2025: Climate crisis and spatial planning. Green infrastructure and supply of ecosystem services, 2025, pp. 3-11; WOS: 001628255700001.

"Carbon sequestration and ecosystem services. Evidence from the functional urban area of Cagliari, Italy" (with Sabrina Lai), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 2.2025: Climate crisis and spatial planning. Green infrastructure and supply of ecosystem services, 2025, pp. 13-29; WOS: 001628255700002, Scopus: 2-s2.0-105028305223.

"Global climate crisis and regional contexts. A study on ecosystem services related to Sardinia, Italy" (with Federica Isola, Bilge Kobak, Francesca Leccis and Federica Leone), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 2.2025: Climate crisis and spatial planning. Green infrastructure and supply of ecosystem services, 2025, pp. 117-134; WOS: 001628255700007, Scopus: 2-s2.0-105028259727.

“Urban green infrastructure and ecosystem service supply: A study concerning the Functional Urban Area of Cagliari, Italy” (with Federica Isola, Sabrina Lai and Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XVI, n. 19 (8628), 2024, 37 pp.; WOS: 001193526700001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85188998576.

“Sustainable spatial planning based on ecosystem services, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions” (with Sabrina Lai), in: Sustainability, vol. XVI, n. 6 (2591), 2024, 5 pp.; WOS: 001193526700001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85188998576.

“Integrating climate change adaptation into municipal masterplans through Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). A case study concerning Sardinia” (with Federica Isola, Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 1.2024: What transition for cities? Scientific debate, research, approaches and good practices, 2024, pp. 61-78; WOS: 001245165400005, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85192094844.

“Factors affecting the supply of urban regulating ecosystem services. Empirical estimates from Cagliari, Italy” (with Sabrina Lai), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 2.2023: Burn or sink. Planning and managing the land, 2023, pp. 7-32; WOS: 001253111600001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85197451251.

“Il divenire della disciplina urbanistica: il contributo di Corrado Zoppi - The becoming of spatial planning: the contribution of Corrado Zoppi”, in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Conversations with TeMA 1.2023: For the evolution of spatial planning, pp. 155-169; WOS: 000939261300015.

“Land take and landslide hazard: Spatial assessment and policy implications from a study concerning Sardinia” (with Federica Isola, Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Land, vol. XII, n. 2 (359), 2023, 23 pp.; WOS del saggio: 000940495800001, Scopus.

“Strengthening a regional green infrastructure through improved multifunctionality and connectedness: Policy suggestions from Sardinia, Italy” (with Federica Isola, Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XIV, n. 15 (9788), 2022, 22 pp.; WOS: 000838998700001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85136293786.

“Mapping of ecological corridors as connections between protected areas: A study concerning Sardinia, Italy” (with Federica Isola e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XIV, n. 11 (6588), 2022, 31 pp.; WOS: 000808824500001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85131523827.

“Carbone e pianificazione del territorio: retorica del declino e criticità della transizione energetica in Sardegna” (with Sebastiano Curreli), in: Archivio di Studi Urbani e Regionali, anno LII, n. 131 supplemento, 2021, pp. 166-185; Scopus del saggio: 2-s2.0-85122155647.

“Assessing the potential of green infrastructure to mitigate hydrogeological hazard. Evidence-based policy suggestions from a Sardinian study area” (with Sabrina Lai, Federica Isola e Federica Leone), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue 1.2021: The Emergency Plan for the use and management of the territory, 2021, pp. 109-133; WOS 000723914100008.

“Land surface temperature and land cover dynamics. A study related to Sardinia, Italy” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, vol. XIII, n. 3, 2020, pp. 329-351; WOS: 000605021200004.

“Ecosystem services and spatial planning: A study on the relationship between carbon sequestration and land-taking processes” (with Maddalena Floris), in: Archivio di Studi Urbani e Regionali, anno LI, n. 127 supplemento, 2020, pp. 11-33; Scopus: 2-s2.0-85091437399.

“Covid-19 and spatial planning. A few issues concerning public policy” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Special Issue: Covid-19 vs City-20. Scenarios, insights, reasoning and research, June 2020, pp. 231-246; WOS: 000542692000018.

“Ecosystem services, green infrastructure and spatial planning”, in: Sustainability, vol. XII, n. 11 (4396), 2020, 4 pp.; WOS: 000543391800059, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85085945790.

“Spatial distribution of surface temperature and land cover: A study concerning Sardinia, Italy” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XII, n. 8 (3186), 2020, 20 pp.; WOS: 000535598700119, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85084586565.

“Local development and protection of nature in coastal zones: A planning study for the Sulcis Area (Sardinia, Italy)” (with Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XI, n. 18 (5095), 2019, 21 pp.; WOS: 000489104700281, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85072615831.

“Editorial Preface: TeMA Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment 2 (2019). The times they are A-changin'”, in: TeMA, Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, vol. XII, n. 2, August 2019, pp. 123-125; WOS: 000504894100001.

“Assessment of municipal masterplans aimed at identifying and fostering green infrastructure: A study concerning three towns of the metropolitan area of Cagliari, Italy” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. XI, n. 5 (1470), 2019, 17 pp.;  WOS: 000462661000254, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85062907011.

“Implementing green infrastructures beyond protected areas” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. X, n. 10 (3544), 2018, 16 pp.; WOS: 000448559400186, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85054223978.

“Integration of conservation measures concerning Natura 2000 sites into marine protected areas regulations: A study related to Sardinia”, in: Sustainability, vol. X, n. 10 (3460), 2018, 18 pp.; WOS: 000448559400102, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85054103969.

“Green infrastructure and ecological corridors: A regional study concerning Sardinia” (with Ignazio Cannas, Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. X, n. 4 (1265), 2018, 21 pp.; WOS: 000435188000369, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85045692534.

“Anthropization processes and protection of the environment: an assessment of land cover changes in Sardinia, Italy” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. IX, n. 12 (2174), 2017, 19 pp.; WOS: 000419231500023, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85035075950.

“Land cover changes and environmental protection: A study based on transition matrices concerning Sardinia (Italy)” (with Sabrina Lai e Federica Leone), in: Land Use Policy, vol. LXVII, n. 1, 2017, pp. 126-150; WOS: 000413280200013, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85020278332.

“The influence of Natura 2000 Sites on land-taking processes at the regional level: an empirical analysis concerning Sardinia (Italy)” (with Sabrina Lai), in: Sustainability, vol. IX, n. 2 (259), 2017, 26 pp.; WOS: 000395590500101, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85013420467.

“Conservation measures and loss of ecosystem services: a study concerning the Sardinian Natura 2000 Network” (with Federica Leone), in: Sustainability, vol. VIII, n. 10 (1061), 2016, 15 pp.; WOS: 000389314600101, Scopus: 2-s2.0-84994851824.

“Perceived urban quality of the historic centers: a study concerning the city of Cagliari (Italy)” (with Anania Mereu), in: Land Use Policy, vol. XLVIII, n. 1, 2015, pp. 495-504;   6,0, WOS: 000362152800041, Scopus  : 2-s2.0-84937033286).

“Determinants of land take at the regional scale: A study concerning Sardinia (Italy)” (with Sabrina Lai), in: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, vol. LV, n. 1, 2015, pp. 1-10; WOS: 000362136000001, Scopus: 2-s2.0-84934918354.

D.SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITY AS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR OR SENIOR RESEARCH SCHOLAR IN NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS FINANCED AFTER A PEER-REVIEWED REFEREEING PROCESS

“Building participatory opportunities to promote the active role of civil society in sustainable territorial planning. (COOPERATE)”, funded by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security with reference to the Public Notice for the promotion of research projects supporting the implementation of the Sustainability Vectors of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development - SNSvS4 – Project duration: 24 months (start date: October 7, 2025). Corrado Zoppi and Sabrina Lai are the principal Investigators.

“Definition of a guidelines handbook to implement climate neutrality by improving ecosystem service effectiveness in rural and urban areas”, NRRP, M4, C2, Investment 1.1, Call for tender no. 1409 published on 14.9.2022 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU –– CUP F53D23010760001 – Grant Assignment Decree no. 1378 adopted on September 1, 2023, by Italian Ministry of Research – Project duration: 24 months (December 2023 – November 2025). Corrado Zoppi is the Principal Investigator.

RETURN Extended Partnership funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (National Recovery and Resilience Plan – NRRP, M4, C2, Investment 1.3 – D.D. 1243 2/8/2022, PE0000005) – Project duration: 36 months (December 2022 – November 2025). Corrado Zoppi is a member of the “critical mass” of the Project as a Senior Research Scholar.

“SOSLabs. Laboratori di ricerca-azione per la Sostenibilità urbana” [SOSLabs. Research-action laboratories for urban sustainability], financed by the Ministry of the Environment and of the Protection of the Territory and the Sea of the Italian Government within the “Bando per la promozione di progetti di ricerca a supporto dell’attuazione della Strategia Nazionale per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile - Bando Snsvs 2” [“Public selection for the promotion of research projects focusing on the implementation of the National Strategy for sustainable development – Public selection Snsvs 2”] – Project duration: 22 months (September 2020 – July 2022) – Corrado Zoppi is the Researcher Responsible for the Action n. 1 of the Specific Objective O2. SOSLab 1 “Definition of a model of assessment and monitoring of policies, plans and projects”, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture of the University of Cagliari.

“Paesaggi rurali della Sardegna: pianificazione di infrastrutture verdi e blu e di reti territoriali complesse” [Rural landscapes of Sardinia: Planning of green and blue infrastructures and complex spatial networks], financed by the Region Sardinia within the public selection for “La presentazione di progetti di ricerca fondamentale o di base in attuazione della Legge Regionale n. 7 /2007” [“Presentation of fundamental or basic research project to implement the Regional Law n. 2007/7], financial year 2017 –  Project duration: 24 months (June 2019 – June 2021) – Corrado Zoppi is the Researcher Responsible for the Research Unit n. 1 of project, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture of the University of Cagliari.

“TSulki: Turismo e Sostenibilità nel Sulcis” [“TSulki: tourism and sustainability in Sulcis”], financed by the Region Sardinia (one of the twenty Italian regional administrations) within the public selection for “La presentazione di progetti di ricerca fondamentale o di base per l’attuazione degli interventi nell’ambito della ricerca per il “Piano Sulcis”” [“Presentation of fundamental or basic research project to implement the operations of the “Plan for Sulcis””], financial year 2015 –– Project duration: 12 months (The ranking of the financed projects is published, among which the “TSulki” project is included, but the funds are not yet available) – Corrado Zoppi is the Principal Investigator of the project.

“Natura 2000: Valutazione dei piani di gestione e studio dei corridoi ecologici come Rete complessa” [“Natura 2000: Assessment of the management plans and study of ecological corridors as complex Networks”], financed by the Region Sardinia within the public selection for “La presentazione di progetti di ricerca fondamentale o di base in attuazione della Legge Regionale n. 7 /2007” [“Presentation of fundamental or basic research project to implement the Regional Law n. 2007/7], financial year 2013 –– Project duration: 36 months (22 September 2015 – 21 September 2018) – Corrado Zoppi is the Principal Investigator of the project.

“Pianificazione e partecipazione delle comunità alla definizione ed attuazione delle politiche del territorio: sperimentazione di metodologie innovative nel contesto della pianificazione paesaggistica” [“Planning and participation of communities to the definition and implementation of spatial policies: innovation-oriented experimental methodologies in the context of landscape planning”], financed by the Region Sardinia within the public selection for “La presentazione di progetti di ricerca fondamentale o di base in attuazione della Legge Regionale n. 7 /2007” [“Presentation of fundamental or basic research project to implement the Regional Law n. 2007/7], financial year 2008 –– Project duration: 36 months (I January 2010 – 31 December 2012) – Corrado Zoppi is the Principal Investigator of the project.

E. OTHER SCIENTIFIC REPONSIBILITIES IN NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS FINANCED AFTER A PEER-REVIEWED REFEREEING PROCESS

Corrado Zoppi was Scientific Director of the Research Units at the University of Cagliari of three Cooperative Research Projects financed by the Italian Minister for Education, University and Research (MIUR), which involved several Research Units of Italian Universities. The projects were funded by the Program for Relevant National Interest Research Projects (PRIN) in the following periods: 2010-2012; 2006-2008; 2000-2002.

F.TEACHING ACTIVITY IN UNIVERSITY COURSES

Since Academic year 1998-1999 until now, Corrado Zoppi has taught continuously in undergraduate, graduate and doctoral courses. Its teaching activity has been implemented mainly at the former Faculty of Engineering, now (since the academic year 2011-2012, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture) of the University of Cagliari. The topics of his courses are, among many: spatial planning, environmental planning, urban planning, regional planning, strategic environmental assessment, urban and regional economic development, investment analysis and assessment, protection and conservation of nature and natural resources, historic centers-related public policies.