Space to nature. De-sealing policies and Transferable development rights

The intense urbanization that in the second half of the twentieth century has affected the European territory has determined the loss of a considerable amount of agricultural and naturalistic lands. Soil sealing for urban and infrastructure development constitutes the most intense form of land degradation and affects all ecosystem services (Tobias et al 2018). This intense phase was supported by a cycle of growth that showed signs of an irreversible crisis only in the last decade, opening up to a new and unprecedented season. Therefore, it is necessary to support a partial natural spaces restoration lost in the previous season by encouraging the removal of the sealed surfaces. Starting from the analysis of some experiences (SoS4Life project, Contratto di fiume Olona-Bozzente-Lura, etc.), our review aims at underlining the effects of de-sealing policies in terms of reduction of environmental risks, increase of green spaces and improvement of built areas.