UAS for Landscape and Architectural Survey: An Innovative Interdisciplinary Approach of Learning by Doing in the Bachelor Programs at Politecnico di Torino

Abstract. The elective course “UAS for Landscape and Architectural Surveying” offered in the Bachelor programs at the Politecnico di Torino has become increasingly relevant across a wide range of disciplines. These include Architecture, Urban Planning, but also Civil, Building, and Environmental Engineering, as well as Computer, Aerospace, Cinema, and Digital Media Engineering, fields in which Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are proving valuable beyond traditional surveying applications. Launched in 2017 through a collaboration between two Department of the Politecnico di Torino, the course has witnessed growing student enrollment, reflecting a rising interest in leveraging UAS to simplify, automate, and accelerate various tasks. Rooted in a learning-by-doing pedagogy, the course is organized into four main components. It begins with theoretical lessons covering drone legislation and classification, digital photogrammetry fundamentals, computer vision, and the Structure from Motion (SfM) methodology. This is followed by hands-on training in safe flying environments, where students pilot drones and carry out an actual survey of a designated site. In the next phase, students process datasets, particularly the ones they captured, using commercial SfM software. The final segment includes seminars showcasing drone applications in areas such as early warning, precision agriculture, and humanitarian missions. The course concludes with each group presenting their project, critically analysing results and tailoring discussions to their individual academic backgrounds, highlighting UAS versatility across disciplines.