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Rural–Urban Metabolism: A Methodological Approach for Carbon-Positive and Circular Territories

Author

Listed:
  • Angelica Pianegonda

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Sara Favargiotti

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy)

  • Marco Ciolli

    (Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
    C3A—Center for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Via Edmund Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy)

Abstract

Cities are responsible for about 75% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Various materials and energy sources, which are mostly produced by the rural areas rather than the cities, are consumed by the cities, and their waste is released back into the rural areas, thereby causing evident environmental damages. The Rural–Urban Metabolism approach can offer a comprehensive tool to understand the flux of resources that cross the urban environments and plan for more sustainable cities. Considering the strength of the relationship between the urban and rural areas, this paper offers a new perspective regarding the Rural–Urban Metabolism and its application in the Autonomous Province of Trento is discussed. The methodological approach consists of four main steps: data collection and management to support strategic territorial/urban plans; data assessment to critically evaluate the existing context; data mapping to visualize the data and territorial dynamics; and finally, the definition of the strategic and integrated development plan and actions. The Rural–Urban Metabolism proved to be a strategic approach for urban planning and design to monitor the flow of it, assess the impacts of it and promote more sustainable and circular urban policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelica Pianegonda & Sara Favargiotti & Marco Ciolli, 2022. "Rural–Urban Metabolism: A Methodological Approach for Carbon-Positive and Circular Territories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:13964-:d:954882
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Mattia Andreola & Angelica Pianegonda & Sara Favargiotti & Francesca Forno, 2021. "Urban Food Strategy in the Making: Context, Conventions and Contestations," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-25, February.
    5. Ilse M. Voskamp & Sven Stremke & Marc Spiller & Daniela Perrotti & Jan Peter Hoek & Huub H. M. Rijnaarts, 2017. "Enhanced Performance of the Eurostat Method for Comprehensive Assessment of Urban Metabolism: A Material Flow Analysis of Amsterdam," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(4), pages 887-902, August.
    6. Sabine Barles, 2009. "Urban Metabolism of Paris and Its Region," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 13(6), pages 898-913, December.
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