Estimation of the Smart Land Index: application to the rural context of the Crati Valley

ABSTRACT

The smart land model plans, in a territorial perspective, to connect cities and minor suburban areas, integrating all aspects of the urban sphere and services to give rise to a stronger development system. The present research proposes a viable methodology on a territorial scale that, on the basis of a series of evaluation items, factors and variables, and measurable quantities, indicators, allows the expression and quantification of the degree of smartness in the area of interest. Specifically, in order to support the development of the implementation area, the Crati Valley (Italy), into a smart land, aspects relating to the ‘Territory’ factor which encompass the ‘Smart Environment’ thematic area were explored, since it is considered a key element for the implementation of a sustainable process of economic and productive growth, especially for a context, such as the one in question, with a rural vocation. These are the first results of research whose continuation envisages adopting a similar approach for all the other factors identified, in order to obtain a model that is able not only to quantitatively measure the level of ‘intelligence’ of the territory, but, above all, is able to highlight, qualitatively, any critical issues and suggest operational development strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Smart land
• environment
• biourbanism
• complex system
• integration
• territory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Specifically, the smart economy is an aspect which the authors link to a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurialism, flexibility of the labour market, integration in the international market and the ability to transform. Smart environment is understood in terms of attractiveness of natural conditions, lack of pollution and sustainable management of resources. Smart governance is related to participation in decision-making processes, transparency of governance systems, availability of public services and quality of political strategies. Smart mobility is refered to local and supra-local accessibility, availability of ICTs, modern, sustainable and safe transport systems. Smart living involves the quality of life, imagined and measured in terms of availability of cultural and educational services, tourist attractions, social cohesion, healthy environment, personal safety and housing. Smart people is linked to the level of qualification of human and social capital, flexibility, creativity, tolerance, cosmopolitanism and participation in public life (Vanolo, 2014).

2 Altomonte, Bisignano, Cervicati, Cerzeto, Fagnano Castello, Lattarico, Luzzi, Malvito, Mongrassano, Montalto Uffugo, Roggiano Gravina, Rose, Rota Greca, San Benedetto Ullano, San Marco Argentano, San Martino di Finita, San Vincenzo la Costa, Santa Caterina Albanese, Torano Castello.

3 These include the Serra Nicolino – Pian d’Albero public biogenetic nature reserve in the town of Mongrassano, the Monte Caloria Regional Nature Park, the Media Valle del Crati Nature Park. Several areas are also included in the Natura 2000 network such as SIC and ZPS.