Relating spatial patterns to ecological processes is one of the central goals of landscape ecology. The patch-corridor-matrix
model and landscape metrics have been the predominant approach to describe the spatial arrangement
of discrete elements (“patches”) for the last two decades. However, the widely used approach of using landscape
metrics for characterizing categorical map patterns is connected with a number of problems. We aim at stimulating
further developments in the field of the analysis of spatio-temporal landscape patterns by providing both a critical

In the latest Apulian programs for rural development a newer attention was put on forestry sector, in order to better hinder the global changes due to the peculiar sectorial ability. Three different instruments has been set to improve the forest value, to increase the forestry land and to boost the multifunctional rule of forestry. Aim of this work is to stress the difference between the proposed indicators in regional programs and some other characterized by a different level of realization, understanding, reliability and communication.

The greater the benefit derived from using a piece of land for any particular purpose the higher the price the prospective user is willing to pay.  The demand for land is thus a reflection of the utility derived from its use by current or potential users.  The ability to compete for sites depends on whether they have the means to benefit from accessibility and complementarity within the urban framework. Conventional theory states that productivity determines urban rent, which is the highest at the place of maximum accessibility, i.e. the central business district (CBD).

This paper aims to propose a methodologyofanalysisthe sustainability of localproductivearrangements, which combines the traditional methods of assessing thecompetitiveness of the methodologies for measuring sustainability, considering theindicators of sustainable land development (municipality in which the arrangement isinserted) and the social and environmental responsibility (CSR).

As part of the planned expansion work of the motorway A8 between Rosenheim and Salzburg and the
associated legal opportunity to develop new traffic noise protection measures, this study investigated
properties of sustainable noise abatement in a community next to the A8. A two-stage empirical survey
was conducted integrating a citizen and an expert Delphi survey. The results show that the noise from
the motorway heavily affects the quality of life in health, economic and ecological respects. Sustainable

The purpose of this study is to introduce tourism, externalities, and public goods to a small-open growth with endogenous wealth and public goods supply. We develop the model on the basis of the Solow-Uzawa growth model, the neoclassical neoclassical growth theory with externalities, and ideas from tourism economics. The economy consists of three – service, industrial, and public - sectors. The production side is based on the traditional growth theories, while the household behavior is described by an alternative utility function proposed by Zhang.

This study focuses on how traditional rural landscape and proximity to a Natura 2000 Site of Community
Importance (SCI) might influence consumers’ choice of an agritourism farm for a weekend stay. Data were
collected in Umbria region’s (Italy) agritourism farms in 2014 by interviewing 160 tourists. Results from a
discrete choice experiment reveal that the most important feature affecting the interviewees’ propensity to
pay a premium price to stay in an agritourism farm is the well-preserved traditional landscape (willingness to

The present study aims to reconstruct the decentralization process of the cadastral functions to town municipalities to date and to trace out the future prospects of cadastral management in Italy. Besides organizational structure, functions and informative patrimony of the Land Agency, the national regulatory framework and the operational steps of decentralization were here investigated.

Transport energy consumption accounts for about one third of total energy consumption in EU. Despite significant advances in transport technology and fuel formulation, transport energy consumption has increased in most EU countries over the last three decades. This increase in consumption occurred as a result of factors such as higher car ownership, a growth in automobile use and an increase in vehicle distances traveled.

Planning often yields only limited influence on policy making. This paper explores how planning could address this
challenge and support most effectively transitions towards sustainable landscape change. In merging insights from
sustainability science research and nine recently concluded case studies of landscape planning, the paper reflects
upon the applicability of the concept of “transition support”, discusses planning approaches and their perceived
effectiveness to induce change in landscape governance, and identifies lessons learned. The paper’s outcomes

This paper presents a review of the presentations and synthesis of the discussion during a Symposium on ‘Transformation
of rural-urban cultural landscapes in Europe: Integrating approaches from ecological, socio-economic
and planning perspectives’ held at the European IALE conference 2009 in Salzburg, Austria. The symposium
addressed an extended and much debated subject of the landscape dynamics in Europe. The papers presented
during the symposium showcased a broad spectrum of cutting edge research questions and challenges faced by

The present study has two aims, to provide a further contribute to the literature on land market, and to highlight the possible relationships between some macroeconomic factors affecting the land values trend in Italy and in Sicily. The data obtainable from the available information sources in the field were collected and processed. More in detail, in the first part of the paper a reference scenario is described through the presentation of the general features of agricultural land market, relying upon the specific scientific literature.