Land Quality and Sustainable Urban Forms: Changing Landscapes and Socioeconomic Structures of European Cities

This research explores the relationship between urban sprawl, land quality, and sustainable land use in the Mediterranean area. It highlights the vulnerability of fragile ecosystems to land degradation and the impact of anthropic pressure on these landscapes. The analysis focuses on 76 metropolitan areas in southern Europe and examines the relationship between soil sealing, land degradation, and urbanization patterns. The research suggests that a more integrated approach to land quality management is necessary to protect productive land and promote sustainable urban development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 169 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

In the vast realm of research exploring the interplay between land capabilities and agricultural production activities, this study presents a hitherto unexplored or under-studied theme: the relationship between urban sprawl and land quality. The first part of the book delves into the motivations and theoretical foundations that underpin the research, focusing on the concepts of land and sustainable urban form. The second part explores the intricate journey towards sustainable land utilization, encompassing institutional and regulatory measures as well as a deeper understanding of soil degradation processes.

This research specifically concentrates on the Mediterranean region, which is examined in greater detail in the third part. Within this part of Europe, the focus is on establishing connections between settlement dynamics and land quality, particularly in the context of fragile ecosystems that are spread across biological, physical, and socio-economic dimensions. Landscapes in the Mediterranean region are particularly vulnerable to land degradation processes, often considered the antithesis of land quality. Over the past decades, these landscapes have been significantly impacted by human activities.

In the fourth part, an analysis is presented involving 76 metropolitan areas representative of southern Europe. The methodology employed in this analysis revolves around the relationship between soil sealing (or soil waterproofing) and land degradation (or land degradation), with the aim of interpreting how the pattern of urbanization (compact, dispersed, intermediate) in southern Europe affects the land's ability to support both natural processes and agricultural production activities in a diverse manner.

By examining these interconnections, the research seeks to shed light on the complex dynamics between urbanization, land quality, and sustainable land management practices in the Mediterranean region and beyond. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders involved in addressing the challenges of urban growth and preserving the ecological integrity of our planet.

Weight: 285g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030947347
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022