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Spatial–Temporal Ontology of Indicators for Urban Landscapes

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Sica

    (Department of Architecture and Design, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Flaminia 359, 00196 Rome, Italy)

  • Pierfrancesco De Paola

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples “Federico II”, Vincenzo Tecchio Sq. 80, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Francesco Tajani

    (Department of Architecture and Design, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Flaminia 359, 00196 Rome, Italy)

  • Endriol Doko

    (Department of Architecture and Design, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Flaminia 359, 00196 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Urban development is increasingly scrutinized for its sustainability from an economic, social, and environmental viewpoint. This study emphasizes how important indicators are in capturing the complexity of urban settings when assessing urban landscapes and making sure that comprehensive development plans incorporate all these aspects. The work aim is to forward the investigation of the ontology of indicators related to urban sustainability, specifically, a framework for spatial and temporal analysis and an attempt to align terminology with the sustainability indicators of the ISO spectrum. The methodology encompasses three main phases: a systematic review of sustainability indicators from the scientific literature across various territorial scales; the mapping of individual indicators to their appropriate spatial–temporal measurement ranges; and the alignment of these spatially and temporally specific indicators with ISO standards. Focusing on the Italian context, this study establishes an ontological spatial–temporal framework. It analyzes ISO indicators that can be managed in Italian spatial settings. The main objective of this part of the research is to select through a critical analysis the most frequent indicators in order to be able to make an alignment and define those that aim more at the goals of the 2030 Agenda on sustainability. This innovative approach enhances urban issue awareness and supports informed decision-making by demonstrating how sustainability indicators can be effectively utilized in downscaling strategies to create a policy for the practical use of indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Sica & Pierfrancesco De Paola & Francesco Tajani & Endriol Doko, 2025. "Spatial–Temporal Ontology of Indicators for Urban Landscapes," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:1:p:72-:d:1559083
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cattaneo, Andrea & Adukia, Anjali & Brown, David L. & Christiaensen, Luc & Evans, David K. & Haakenstad, Annie & McMenomy, Theresa & Partridge, Mark & Vaz, Sara & Weiss, Daniel J., 2022. "Economic and social development along the urban–rural continuum: New opportunities to inform policy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    2. Josef Vodák & Dominika Šulyová & Milan Kubina, 2021. "Advanced Technologies and Their Use in Smart City Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Juste Rajaonson & Georges A. Tanguay, 2019. "Urban Sustainability Indicators from a Regional Perspective: Lessons from the Montreal Metropolitan Area," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(3), pages 985-1005, February.
    4. Xun Zeng & Yuanchun Yu & San Yang & Yang Lv & Md Nazirul Islam Sarker, 2022. "Urban Resilience for Urban Sustainability: Concepts, Dimensions, and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-27, February.
    5. Reed, Mark S. & Fraser, Evan D.G. & Dougill, Andrew J., 2006. "An adaptive learning process for developing and applying sustainability indicators with local communities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(4), pages 406-418, October.
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