The paper aims at discussing from a critical perspective the state of art of territorial policies on the national scale, through the political geography approach, interested in the restructuring processes of the role of the State and regional governments, and using the key of de-…
An analysis is made of the land use transformations over the last sixty years, as well as the consequences of these transformations on the naturalness of the territories of three municipalities of the Nuovo Circondario Imolese (Bologna, Italy). The selected municipalities are: Medicina, Borgo…
This paper reviews recent findings on the complex field of land degradation (LD) with focus on the Mediterranean Basin and Italy, in particular. The LD definition and assessment methods are examined in the light of the most important natural and human driving forces of the phenomenon, such as…
The paper wants to analyze a highly operative aspect of the interventions related to the Bagnoli Project and the extension of the subway line nr. 6 to Bagnoli. The two projects strictly integrate the urban transformation projects in the implementation of the mobility system. The two societies…
Susceptibility to desertification in southern Europe is increasing and rehabilitation of desertification-threatened Mediterranean soils is a challenge due to the inhospitality of the environment. In particular, recovery of anthropogenic soils (mainly human-derived artefacts from housing…
The paper describes the main phases and results of a study which is part of a broader research programme aimed at assessing the changes that have occurred in Italian rural landscapes since the Second World War. The research deals with the definition of a methodology suitable for analysing the…
Context Today, more than 32% of amphibian species are threatened and more than 43% face a steep decline in numbers. Most species are being affected simultaneously by multiple stressors and habitat protection is often inadequate to prevent declines. Aims The main goal of the present research was…
The objective of this study is to assess the European (EU27+ and Ukraine) cost and supply potential for biomass resources. Three methodological steps can be distinguished (partly based on studies explained elsewhere in this volume) (i) an evaluation of the available 'surplus' land, (ii…
As water becomes scarcer in many countries, governments increasingly have to deal with the considerable challenges of water management. Sound information on water vailability and use is key to shaping water policies that aim to provide equitable and sustainable use of increasingly scarce water…
Information on water use is required for political, economic and academic decision making on issues affecting everyone?s life. Owing to fi nancial constraints, it is diffi cult to have complete and comprehensive information on everything related to water. Techniques and methodologies are,…
This report examines the role of European Union (EU) member States, both collectively and individually, in the current reported wave of foreign land investment in Africa that has led to the current use of the term ‘land grabbing’.It discusses whether this role is consistent with the EU’s…
Towns and cities are growing rapidly in developing countries. This process is often accompanied by high levels of poverty and hunger, leading many urban dwellers to engage in farming activities to help satisfy their food needs. Policy makers need to recognize this reality and actively seize the…