Abstract
Abstract. Recent developments in land consumption assessment identify the need to implement integrated evaluation approaches, with particular attention to the development of multidimensional tools for guiding and managing sustainable land use. Land use policy decisions are implemented mostly through spatial planning and its related zoning. This involves trade-offs between many sectorial interests and conflicting challenges seeking win-win solutions. In order to identify a decision-making process for land use allocation, this paper proposes a methodological approach for developing a Dynamic Spatial Decision Support System (DSDSS), denominated Integrated Spatial Assessment (ISA), supported by Geographical Information Systems (GIS) combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Through empirical investigation in an operative case study, an integrated evaluation approach implemented in a DSDSS helps produce "urbanization suitability maps" in which spatial analysis combined with multi-criteria evaluation methods proved to be useful for both facing the main issues relating to land consumption as well as minimizing environmental impacts of spatial planning.
Highlights
Urban development and land consumption are two of the major conflicting forces driving changes in land use and land cover, characterizing the growth of cities and their sustainability
If we look at Europe, it is evident that it is one of the most urbanized continents in the world (EEA, 2009)
A general lack of consideration of the value of the land implies many regional criticalities relating to the degradation of agricultural land, urban dispersion, spatial and ecological fragmentation, etc., imposing the need to consider land consumption as an essential factor that must be supported by suitable methods for its measurement and assessment on all levels of urban and regional planning (Hasse and Lathrop, 2003; De La Rosa, 2005; Tsai, 2005; Huang et al, 2007; Peng et al, 2007; Torrens, 2008; Jones et al, 2009; Winter and Lobley, 2009; Gerundo and Grimaldi, 2011)
Summary
Urban development and land consumption are two of the major conflicting forces driving changes in land use and land cover, characterizing the growth of cities and their sustainability. Mitigating, which means identifying some appropriate mitigation measures in order to maintain some of the soil functions and reduce any significant direct or indirect negative effects on the environment and human well-being These include using permeable materials instead of cement or asphalt, supporting green infrastructure, and making wider use of natural water harvesting systems; 3. The Roadmap proposes that EU policies take into account their direct and indirect impact on land use in the EU and globally; the rate of land take must be on track with the goal of achieving zero net land take by 2050 In this perspective, spatial planning can play an important role in achieving more sustainable land use by taking into account the quality and features of different land areas and soil functions in relation to competing objectives and interests, with a view to the long term.
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