Are we ready for “No net land take by 2050”? A perspective from Italy

This article provides a general overview of the phenomenon of land take in Europe with a focus on Italy. It examines urban transformation dynamics characterized by settlement dispersion, including the well-known urban sprawl and the more recent, less explored dynamic of urban sprinkling. These low-density settlement phenomena contribute to land take and landscape fragmentation. The paper underscores the necessity for a clear framework, in terms of specific definitions of urban phenomena, common and standardized policies and unambiguous methodologies for quantifying land take. It highlights the challenges Italy should faces in achieving the goal of zero net land take by 2050. By performing a bibliographic analysis of the terms related to urban dispersion, the research reveals several key issues: the semantic conflicts within the terminology related to land take; the importance to introduce the term urban sprinkling to describe specific dynamic of urban transformation; the need to recognizing new components in the settlement system for accurate land take assessments. The discussion extends to the European context, emphasizing, particularly in achieving the “no net land take by 2050” goal in Italy. The article aims to provide insights into current challenges and act as a guide for future research on the overarching topic of land take.