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Terraced mountain landscapes

10.10.2016

Terraced landscapes exist all over the world. In Italy they are widespread throughout the peninsula, from the Alpine mountain range to the Apennines, as well as in the hilly terrains of the coasts and islands. The total extent of terraced areas in Italy is roughly 18 000 sq km, which is approximately equivalent to the surface area of the Veneto region.
The terraces are complex and valuable systems of collective care for the mountain territories, which testify to the possibility of adapting to rough mountain terrains by mediating between human needs and natural landscapes. In recent years, despite receiving international recognition, these terraces have suffered degradation resulting from abandonment, industrialization of agriculture and pervasive urbanization. This is true of Italy but also of terraces around the world.

The 3rd World Meeting on Terraced Landscapes is taking place on 6-15 October in Venice, Padua and ten locations throughout the Italian peninsula. One of the ten locations is High Canavese-Aosta Valley, where the conference will address the theme “Landscape and Tourism”.

The meeting will be a unique opportunity for those who wish to participate actively in generating ideas and possible solutions for the future of terraced landscapes in Italy and in the world. The work method of the conference will combine keynote speakers at the plenary, thematic conferences, a dare-to-share fair, focus groups, visits and gatherings with local residents.

The meeting in Canavese-Aosta Valley is organized by Cipra Italy, in collaboration with the municipalities of Andrate, Borgofranco d’Ivrea, Carema, Chiaverano, Lessolo, Nomaglio, Montalto Dora, Settimo Vittone, Aymavilles, Donnas, Morgex, Perloz and Pont-Saint-Martin as well as the Ecomuseum of the Chestnut in Nomaglio and the Ecomuseum of the grapevine in Donnas. The initiative is sponsored by the Piemonte region, the Aosta Valley region, the University of Turin, the University of Aosta Valley and the GAL (local action group) Valli del Canavese.

The other locations which will host participants of the 3rd World Meeting on Terraced Landscapes are: Costiera Triestina, Topolò-Dordolla, Canale di Brenta, Valpolicella e Colline di Valdobbiadene, Trentino, Ossola, Chiavari-Lavagna-Vernazza, Ischia, Costiera Amalfitana and Pantelleria.

The meeting is organized by the Italian branch of the Global Alliance of Terraced Landscapes (ltla), by the Veneto region, by the University of Padua and by the IUAV University of Venice, in collaboration with Italia Nostra, WWF Italy, the Italian Alpine Club and CNR Irpi.

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