Multi-temporal analysis of urban and periurban land use changes in medieval towns of central Italy

Urban Farm DB summary

A 2014 study performed a multi-temporal analysis of land use change over the past 80 years in two small medieval towns in central Italy (Viterbo province, Lazio region), using photogrammetric restitution of historical aerial flights. Results showed that within the city walls a variable number of green spaces and small backyards remained as of 2010, and that in the suburban areas residual agricultural activity persisted, mainly fruit and vegetable cultivation, likely for local markets and/or home consumption. It states that urban planning should account for the functional links between urban and agricultural areas that sustain urban gardening and subsistence economies.