Multiple evaluation of urban and peri-urban agriculture and its relation to spatial planning: The case of Prato territory (Italy)

Abstract

• The study analyses contribution of urban and periurban agriculture (UPUA) to selected ecosystem services and food self-reliance. • Comparison between the current an agro-ecological scenario showed the increase of CO 2 storage, ecological connectivity and slight decrease of food provision. • Study revealed the importance of UPUA in reframing and re-embedding urban/rural interface. • Spatial planning policies and tools need to enhance the role of ES provided by UPUAs on an urban and peri-urban scale. • Scenario design methodology turned out as suitable to address and assess, at the proper scale, integration between land use planning, rural development and agroecological policies development. Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPUA) can play a fundamental role in producing Ecosystem Services (ES) ES at the local level improving sustainability of urban / rural relations. Referring to the peri-urban areas surrounding Municipality of Prato (Tuscany - Italy), we assessed the potential of urban and peri-urban agricultural areas in providing some key ES: food supply, CO 2 storage and biodiversity / connectivity. We also analysed the planning tools operating in the area to foster the enhancement of the UPUA area within the planning processes. The study was conducted using the scenario method by comparing the current situation with an agroecological scenario and verifying the change in the delivery of these three ES. The results show an increase of CO 2 storage capacity and ecological connectivity with tolerable repercussions on food provision. Indeed, results highlights the potential of the UPUA in satisfying the food needs of almost 87.9% of the inhabitants of Prato for cereals and 27.9% for legumes whereas, in the agroecological scenario, these produce decrease by about 23% and 11%. Finally, the study suggests the need to integrate governance and territorial planning tools to promote and enhance the role of ES provided by UPUAs on an urban and peri-urban scale.