Agricultural and green infrastructures: The role of non-urbanised areas for eco-sustainable planning in a metropolitan region

Non-Urbanised Areas (NUAs) are part of agricultural and green infrastructures that provide ecosystem services. Their role is fundamental for the minimization of urban pollution and adaptation to climate change. Like all natural ecosystems, NUAs are endangered by urban sprawl. The regulation of sprawl is a key issue for land-use planning. We propose a land use suitability strategy model to orient Land Uses of NUAs, based on integration of Land Cover Analysis (LCA) and Fragmentation Analysis (FA). With LCA the percentage of evapotranspiring surface is defined for each land use. Dimensions and densities of NUAs patches are assessed in FA. The model has been developed with Geographical Information Systems, using an extensive set of geodatabases, including orthophotos, vectorial cartographies and field surveys. The case of the municipality of Mascalucia in Catania metropolitan area (Italy), characterized by a considerable urban sprawl, is presented.

► Non-Urbanised Areas (NUAs) are crucial for land planning and pollution minimization.
► NUAs are endangered by urban sprawl in Catania metropolitan areas (Italy).
► NUAs can be characterized by Land Cover and Fragmentation analysis.
► Results from analysis are used in a Land Use Suitability Strategy Model (LUSSM).
► By LUSSM application seven new prospective land uses for NUAs are proposed.