Usi e consumo del suolo, produzione e distribuzione alimentare

The cities often act as magnets that absorb large economic and human resources of the territory, through a \u201cdevelopment\u201d that generates waste of land and waste of food. The situation may worsen in the future, in view of further worldwide concentration of population in cities. However, the aware\uacness of the scarcity of land resources is growing, and agricultural soil begins to be considered as a \u201ccommon good\u201d. These concerns have increased in public opinion, in view of the Univer\uacsal Exhibition 2015 (on the theme \u201cFeeding the Planet, Energy for Life\u201d). As for the agricultural production, there is talk today of \u201curban agricul\uacture\u201d, that is new social practices, such as public vegetable gardens mana\uacged by the inhabitants for their needs and with the approval of local autho-rities. In this context of scarcity of soil, are well known possible side effects of interventions even inspired by the sustainability (production of biofuels, solar panels). As for the food distribution, we can criticize the long distance supply, favoured by the development of global trade and transportation means. The interest for distribution solutions that reduce the energy content em\uacbedded in the transport and storage of food is growing: the \u201cshort chain\u201d proposal aims to put farmers in direct relation with consumers, and the mo\uacvement \u201czero km\u201d invites to consume local food. We can also notice alter\uacnative experiences to the long-distance distribution of food, such as using spaces on the roofs of buildings, or empty lots among urban blocks, or open spaces among road junctions. Finally, the so-called \u201cvertical farms\u201d or \u201cgreenhouse skyscrapers\u201d can be built. On the educational level, the associated production, distribution and consumption of local foods can encourage participation, co-responsibility and conviviality. A critical issue is the chance to transfer these experiences from small towns to big cities. However, large room for improvement are still available to reduce food waste, as an integral part of strategies towards a \u201czero waste\u201d way of life