Toward a Dualistic Growth? Population Increase and Land-Use Change in Rome, Italy

The spatial mismatch between population growth and settlement expansion is at the base of current models urban growth. Empirical evidence increasingly required to inform planning measures promoting containment in context a stable (or declining) population. In these regards, per-capita indicators land-use change can be adopted with aim evaluating long-term sustainability urbanization processes. present study assesses variations Rome, Central Italy, five years (1949, 1974, 1999, 2008, 2016) final objective quantifying Originally specialized agricultural productions, Rome’s metropolitan area paradigmatic example dispersed Mediterranean basin. By considering multiple dynamics, landscape delineated three distinctive waves corresponding urbanization, suburbanization, more mixed stage counter-urbanization re-urbanization impulses. reflecting different socioeconomic contexts on local scale, fabric forests were identified as ‘winner’ classes, expanding homogeneously over time expense cropland. Agricultural landscapes experienced heterogeneous trend arable land pastures declining systematically fragmented classes (e.g., vineyards olive groves) displaying slightly increasing) trends. continuous reduction surface cropland that’s supports reduced production base, which now insufficient satisfy rising demand for fresh food indicates unsustainability development Rome generally whole basin, region traditionally (proximity) productions.