Differentials in the regional operational program expenditure for public services and infrastructure in the coastal cities of Sardinia (Italy) analyzed in the ruling context of the Regional Landscape Plan

The planning activity of the Regional Administration of Sardinia (Italy) has undergone a deep change after the approval of the Regional Landscape Plan (RLP), which establishes the directions for nearly any future planning activity in Sardinia, and requires that actual sectoral and local plans, as well as plans for protected areas, be changed to comply with its directions. This mandatory adjustment process can be conflictual, if the administrations responsible for these plans disagree with the rules established by the RLP. With regards to Sardinian coastal cities, this paper analyzes the investment policies for public services and infrastructure implemented by the Sardinian Region through the 2000–2006 Regional Operational Program (2000–2006 ROP-ERDF), in order to assess whether the RLP exerts a negative impact.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Investment is negatively affected by the rules of the Sardinian Regional Landscape Plan. ► Coastal cities with larger land areas in coastal landscape units are more attractive for investment. ► Coastal cities with larger land areas and smaller built-up areas are less attractive for investment. ► Integration of MNL and GIS is very effective for spatial analysis of investment.