Ambiguous effects of regional regulations on zero land consumption and on verticality in architecture

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to highlight that the primary goal of certain regional planning laws – i.e., to limit land consumption – is contradicted by the legislative provisions they contain, which state that the maximum acceptable land consumption should comply with the previous General Regulatory Plan. Moreover, the paper is intended to suggest what innovative regional planning strategies should be adopted. The goal to promote “vertical” development, through strategies of densification and volumetric replacements fostered by reward policies, is not commonly found in regional laws, which, instead of reducing “horizontality”, confirm the surfaces established by the previous General Regulatory Plan stating that they “may be confirmed and/or adapted as urbanized areas and as areas intended for residential purposes, in the new preliminary document” (own translation) (Regional Planning Law 19/02 – Region Calabria).