From the construction of an ecological network to the definition of an environmentally sustainable planning model for periurban space

Any action of anthropization of the natural environment implies the destructuring of the ecomosaic with varied modes and intensity. If this restructuring stretches in time and space, it will result in phenomena of landscape fragmentation leading to environmental unsustainability due to the change in functionality and in the biological processes. Over the last ten years, field studies have highlighted that the classical methodologies for nature protection are not adequate and have identified ecological networks as the most suitable tool to assure the functional perpetuity of ecosystems (the EU has even formalized their adoption in environmental protection strategies). To tackle such issues, the authors have started a research leading to the construction of a GIS model for the definition of ecological networks. It is based on biological and orographic principles and on the anthropic structure of the territory, thus surpassing classical monodisciplinary approaches. A set of indicators has been defined, structured and associated to this tool to monitor its effects on the territory functionality. This paper shows the results of the integration of the ecological network with the indicators in a sub-model defined to envisage the possible policies of the new urbanization and to support regional and sub-regional land-use planning tools. The implemented model generates policies of expansion of the urban tissue which do not alter the biological functionality of the ecological network system. The model has been applied to the province of Reggio Calabria (Italy) emphasizing its potentials and limitations as a guiding tool for a sustainable land-use planning.