Ultimo fascicolo

Abstract:  Food supply in metropolitan areas has been featured for some years now by a sort of identity revival boosted by the manifold links between landscape characters and productive vocations within rural areas − the terroir − and based on concrete concerns on the quality and traceability of agricultural products. In the metropolitan city of Rome, the sprawl intertwines with centuries old familiar places and landscapes characterized by the strong physiognomy of the olive tree, present in spots or in regular arrangements. The issues to be addressed concern policy initiatives able to preserve the cultural and landscape value of such rural areas, coupling land ownership restructuring processes with a strong support to olive oil supply chain, facilitating the access to the urban market. More generally, solidarity between city and countryside is to be envisaged as a mutual benefit pact bringing an overall increase in the landscape and environmental performance within metropolitan contexts.

Keywords: Tradition/Innovation; Olive Growing; Olive Oil Economies; Rural Development Policies