Investigating the Relationship Between Land Use and Wealth in Italian Provinces

Land consumption is a significant problem in all economies, as it is having a significant impact on the quality of the environment. These effects include soil sealing, increased hydrogeological hazards, diminished pollution and greenhouse gas sequestration, and intensified competition over land for human activities. This problem is closely related to the phenomena of urban and non-urban sprawl. In this study we delve into the growing problem of land consumption, investigating its correlation with economic development. Our analysis focuses on the Italian context, using provinces as an intermediate administrative scale, and analyzes the evolution of land consumption over the past two decades in relation to economic development (GDP). We use spatial analysis techniques and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) to investigate both local effects and spatial clustering. Over the years examined, distinct spatial patterns of land use proximity emerge, showing areas with pronounced land use dominance in nearby locations. The implications of these findings may be notable for policy makers at the local, regional and national levels as they guide land development strategies.