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Mitigating Land Degradation Through Sustainable Urban Landscapes Planning

Author

Listed:
  • Erica Maria Lovello

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Donatella Valente

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Irene Petrosillo

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Land-take leads to the loss of natural and semi-natural areas. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights the important role played by land-take and degradation mitigation to promote sustainable cities. This research aims to assess (1) the temporal dynamics of land-take and land degradation, (2) their spatial configuration, and (3) their ecological effects in three Italian urban landscapes. Spatial analyses from 2006 to 2022 reveal a significant urban sprawl, with an increase in land-take across all municipalities, with the highest land-take per capita in Nardò, higher than the national value. The land-take patterns showed the highest aggregation in Galatone, the smallest municipality. This municipality showed the highest percentage of degraded land (60% of the total area), followed by Lecce (about 47%) and then Nardò (about 42%), where it is possible to notice several areas of improvements (743 ha) scattered throughout the landscape. Degraded areas have increasingly impacted natural areas (25% in Lecce, 22% in Galatone, and 10% in Nardò). The results are discussed in terms of methodology limitations and policy-making implications, highlighting the important role of tools like Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in assessing the coherence of landscape plans with sustainable development targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Erica Maria Lovello & Donatella Valente & Irene Petrosillo, 2025. "Mitigating Land Degradation Through Sustainable Urban Landscapes Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:967-:d:1576549
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Irene Petrosillo & Erica Maria Lovello & Luisa Ria & Patrizia Tartara & Donatella Valente, 2025. "Sustainable Management of UNESCO Landscapes to Foster Natural and Cultural Capital," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, October.

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