Molecular No Smart-Planning in Italy: 8000 Municipalities in Action throughout the Country

by Bernardino Romano, Francesco Zullo, Lorena Fiorini and Alessandro Marucci

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6467; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226467 – 17 Nov 2019
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/22/6467

Abstract: This paper discusses the topic of urban and spatial planning in Italy where decision-making is left almost exclusively to the innumerable, small municipalities present in the country and totaling almost 8000 in number. Projects and actions to transform built areas, infrastructure, and welfare […] (Download PDF 4.965 KB )
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Urban Planning and Land Management)

On LIFE SUN Project experience

Published the general FINAL REPORT of the Project

FINAL REPORT – 31.12.2018

Covering the project activities from 01/10/2014 to 30/09/2018 – Reporting date 31/12/2018 SUN LIFE -La Strategia Umbra per Natura 2000
File size: 2 MB

SUN LIFE – Strategy for the management of the Natura 2000 Network in Umbria

SUN LIFE (LIFE13 NAT/IT/000371) is one of the Italian projects funded in 2013 by the LIFE + Nature & Biodiversity program of the European Community for the implementation of policies on nature and biodiversity and the development of the Natura 2000 network. The publication retraces 4-year project through thematic studies that describe the project process divided in two stages. In the first, it is developed the framework of the analysis on the conservation status of species and habitats, identified synergies and interferences of the various levels of governance with Natura 2000 and the state of the ecosystem services and green jobs. The second part describes the project outputs, including the new Financial Plan (PF), the updating of the Priority Action Framework (PAF), the guidelines for farmers and foresters, the interventions for the development of green jobs, post Life project and a focus on the main project action corresponding to the definition of the Strategy for the management of the Natura 2000 Network in Umbria, as a governance tool for the protection and conservation of natural systems and Umbrian landscapes. The final parts describe the monitoring, dissemination and communication phases of SUN LIFE.

The book

The final informative report of the SUN LIFE project
The final informative report on the activities of the project was finally published. The report presents the main results achieved by the project and the methodology developed. We take stock of the context in which the project was developed, describe the activities carried out, the difficulties encountered, the results achieved and the future prospects.
Enjoy the reading!

Layman’s report (1.781 KB)

Natura 2000 day – 21 May

Last year, the European Commission together with the European Parliament, the Council Presidency and the Committee of the Regions declared the 21st May as European Natura 2000 day, in relation to 21st May 1992, when both EU Habitats Directive and LIFE programme were approved. With the proclamation of the European Natura 2000 Day the European Commission has fulfilled its first pledge from the recent Action Plan for nature, people and the economy. On the occasion of the EU Natura 2000 Day, Europe can celebrate the achievements of EU nature legislation and encourage people to visit a Natura 2000 sites near them, in order to discover more about the place as well as the species and habitats it aims to protect. More than one hundred local events have taken place so far this year including art exhibitions, guided walks, dedicated workshops, games for kids and much more. 

The Green Week which was held from 21-25 May in Brussels discussed the role and benefits of nature in urban areas. This year the Green Week has explored ways in which the EU is helping cities to become better places to live and work. A session dedicated to “Nature in the City” highlighted different ways in which nature can thrive in our cities providing solutions to urban challenges and increasing citizens’ quality of life.
It presented how access to biodiversity-rich green areas and Natura 2000 sites deliver a wide range of health & social benefits, illustrating how successful approaches protecting and restoring urban biodiversity help nature and people within and beyond city boundaries.

“Green Cities for a Greener Future”

Concerning Nature and Biodiversity, Green Infrastructures Strategy, waste and water management

The GREEN WEEK will officially open on 21/5 in Utrecht (the Netherlands) and will close on 25/5 in Madrid (Spain). The high level EU Green Cities Summit will take place in Brussels, 22-24/5

The rapid expansion of cities represents a growing factor of pressure for the environment and human health. Today more than two thirds of European citizens live in towns and cities: urban areas concentrate most of the environmental challenges facing our society but also bring together commitment and innovation to resolve them.
The EU GREEN WEEK 2018, the biggest annual conference on European environmental policy, will explore ways in which the EU is helping cities to become better places to live and work. Showcasing policy developments on air quality, noise, nature and biodiversity, waste and water management, it will promote participatory approaches to urban development, networking schemes, and tools for sharing best practices, engaging local authorities and citizens, and encouraging them to share their vision of a sustainable future. During the discussion, a central moment will be occupied by policies and solutions concerning Nature and Biodiversity, in line with the European Biodiversity Strategy and with the Green Infrastructures Strategy.
The GREEN WEEK will officially open on 21/5 in Utrecht (the Netherlands) and will close on 25/5 in Madrid (Spain). The high level EU Green Cities Summit will take place in Brussels, 22-24/5.
There are many initiatives planned during the Green Week: informative appointments (seminars, workshops and conferences), public debates, awareness and involvement events (guided tours, exhibitions and fairs, festivals), training and networking (also online as the webinars). Dozens of partner events have been organized widespread throughout Europe and they will go on until 10/6.
To see the program of the EU GREEN WEEK 2018 and get more information: www.eugreenwee.eu

Farmers operating in agricultural areas of high natural value can apply compensation payments until May 15

High-value agricultural areas play a central role in rural development policies aimed at conserving biodiversity and integrating agricultural activities and protecting the environment. In Umbria, about 334 hectares of land are classified as areas of high natural value where agriculture represents the prevalent land use and maintains, or is associated with, a large variety of species and habitats of Community interest. The application of conservative/sustainable agricultural practices is an essential element for the maintenance and protection of soil biodiversity and fertility. All farmers who carry out their activities in the Natura 2000 areas can benefit from the assistance provided by the Umbria’s RDP for 2014-2020. In addition to the normal investments, compensation payments are provided to offset additional costs and income foregone when implementing the protection and conservation of biodiversity in those areas.

The Umbria Region has recently (with Decree n.3526 of 11/04) approved the announcement of the sub-measure 12.1 “Compensation for Natura 2000 agricultural areas” with an available resource of 1,500,000 euros. Individual agricultural entrepreneurs, Municipalities and their associations and agricultural communities can access the benefits of the measure. The compensation payments foreseen by the measure are granted to subjects who carry out agricultural activities on Natura 2000 sites, and which have “disadvantaged” conditions determined by the adoption of the constraints contained in the Management Plans (and of the good agricultural practices indicated in the Farmers Guide produced by SUN LIFE Umbria Project). In order to obtain the aid envisaged by the measure, the applicant assumes the declarations and commitments envisaged in the application form available online on the SIAN portal (www.sian.it). Applications must be submitted until May 15.