Ecosystem Services-Based City Ranking in Italy: A Tool to Enhance Sustainable Thinking in Regeneration Strategies

Angela Pilogallo (), Francesco Scorza and Beniamino Murgante
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Angela Pilogallo: Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis, National Research Council of Italy, Contrada S. Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo, Italy
Francesco Scorza: School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Beniamino Murgante: School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Multidimensional integrated indicators have become extremely popular for ranking territorial units and comparing them in terms of performance, development and quality of life. The concept of sustainability is not exempt from this global phenomenon. Recognizing the ecosystem services (ES) framework as a tool to drive urban and landscape regeneration toward sustainability, we propose a ranking based on ES multifunctionality. Adopting this approach allows for pursuing different goals on several time frames: to enhance the policy–science interface in the short term; to mainstream ES values in the governance of green transition in the medium term; and to improve sustainability performance in the long term. Based on a spatially explicit assessment of a relevant set of ES variables, we mapped the multiple ecosystem services landscape index (MESLI) and compared the results with the main Italian cities rankings, demonstrating how the ranking tool brings heterogeneous results with relevant differences in assessing territorial features. The conclusions highlight the potential of such a ranking in order to address sustainability thinking in regeneration processes.

Keywords: cities ranking; ecosystem services; sustainable regeneration; ecosystems multifunctionality; MESLI (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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