https://doi.org/10.4081/jae.2024.1618

Terraced landscapes: risk and liability

Early Access
Published: 4 November 2024
Agricultural terraces, Amalfi coast, liability, property renunciation, risk, terraced landscape
Abstract Views: 4
PDF: 21
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Gabriele Delogu
Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy.
Lorenzo Boccia
lorenzo.boccia@unina.it
Department of Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
Giuseppina Mari
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2378-4798
Department of Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.

Terraced landscapes are preserved elements of the human-influenced environment, maintained by ongoing agricultural activities. Farmers are subject to the periodic collapse of terraces, which are repaired by means of traditional techniques. Unless it can be proven that the collapse was accidental, the owner is liable for the damage caused by the collapse of the terraces or landslides. This topic, applied to Minori (Amalfi Coast, Italy), is interesting for two reasons. First, with the advancement of scientific knowledge, the unpredictability of events diminishes and the liability increases. Second, the intensive construction at the base of the terraces and the economic value of the buildings, enhanced by the landscape context, expose the owners to claims for damages from third parties that are disproportionate to the agricultural income, including claims for amnestied illegal constructions. The result has been an increase in the renunciation of property rights by farmers in areas of high hydro-geological risk. However, the State, which becomes the owner, denies the validity of property relinquishments made by owners solely to transfer risk, cost, and liability to the state treasury.  This paper discusses these issues, going beyond the Italian case study, and proposes a different risk allocation related to territorial governance. This study reveals a discrepancy in government decision making and suggests that the division of risk into multiple components could be a solution to this inconsistency.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Agnoletti, M., Conti, L., Frezza, L., Monti, M., Santoro, A. 2015. Features analysis of dry stone walls of Tuscany (Italy). Sustainability 7:13887-13903. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su71013887
Agnoletti, M., Errico, A., Santoro, A., Dani, A., Preti, F. 2019. Terraced landscapes and hydrogeological risk. Effects of land abandonment in Cinque Terre (Italy) during severe rainfall events. Sustainability 11:235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11010235
Asins, S., Arnau, E., González, J., Calvo-Cases, A. 2016. Analysis of the consequences of the European union criteria on slope gradient for the delimitation of “Areas Facing Natural Constraints” with agricultural terraces. Ann.-Ser. Hist. Sociol. 26:433-448.
Avvocatura Generale dello Stato. 2018. Parere 4 marzo 2018 n. 137950. accessed on 10/06/2024. Available from: https://news.ilcaso.it/news_4490/29-03-18/Legittima_la_rinuncia_al_diritto_di_proprieta
Braca, G., Tranfaglia, G., Esposito, E., Porfido, S., Violante, C., Mazzarella, A. 2007. Analisi meteorologica e idro-geologica dell’alluvione di Salerno del 25-26 ottobre 1954. Acqua - Riv. Assoc. Idrotec. Ital. Literal., 51-64.
Budillon, F., Esposito, E., Iorio, M., Pelosi, N., Porfido, S., Violante, C. 2005. The geological record of storm events over the last 1000 years in the Salerno Bay (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea): new proxy evidences. Adv. Geosci. 2:123–130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-2-123-2005
Caneva, G., Cancellieri, L. 2007. Il paesaggio vegetale della costa d’Amalfi. Roma: Gangemi.
Canuti, P., Casagli, N., Ermini, L., Fanti, R., Farina, P. 2004. Landslide activity as a geoindicator in Italy: significance and new perspectives from remote sensing. Environ. Geol. 45:907-919. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0952-5
Capolupo, A., Boccia, L. 2018. Terraced landscapes located in areas of great value for touristic purposes as an irreversible practice. in Built environment, (Thessaloniky (Gr), 141–150.
Capolupo, A., Boccia, L. 2021. Innovative method for linking anthropisation process to vulnerability. World Rev. Sci. Technol. Sustain. Dev. 17:4–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/WRSTSD.2021.114022
Capolupo, A., Kooistra, L., Boccia, L. 2018. A novel approach for detecting agricultural terraced landscapes from historical and contemporaneous photogrammetric aerial photos. Int. J. Appl. Earth Obs. Geoinf. 73:800–810. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2018.08.008
Capparelli, G., Picarelli, L., Versace, P. 2018. TXT-tool 4.039-4.1: Landslide Investigations and risk mitigation: the Sarno, Italy, case. In: K. Sassa, B. Tiwari, K.-F. Liu, M. McSaveney, A. Strom, H. Setiawan (eds.,) Landslide Dynamics: ISDR-ICL Landslide Interactive Teaching Tools. Cham, Springer. pp. 771-784. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57777-7_50
Cicinelli, E., Caneva, G., Savo, V. 2021a. A review on management strategies of the terraced agricultural systems and conservation actions to maintain cultural landscapes around the Mediterranean Area. Sustainability 13:4475. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084475
Cicinelli, E., Caneva, G., Savo, V. 2021b. Risk factors and plant management activities for the terraced agricultural systems on the Amalfi coast (Italy): an interdisciplinary approach. Rendiconti Lincei Sci. Fis. Nat. 32:761-774. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-021-01018-9
Comporti, M. 1988. Abbandono, Enciclopedia giuridica I. Rome, Treccani.
Damm, A., Eberhard, K., Sendzimir, J., Patt, A. 2013. Perception of landslides risk and responsibility: a case study in eastern Styria, Austria. Nat. Hazards 69;165-183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-013-0694-y
Del Ventisette, C., Garfagnoli, F., Ciampalini, A., Battistini, A., Gigli, G., Moretti, S., et al. 2012. An integrated approach to the study of catastrophic debris-flows: geological hazard and human influence. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. 12:2907–2922. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-12-2907-2012
Deng, C., Zhang, G., Liu, Y., Nie, X., Li, Z., Liu, J., et al. 2021. Advantages and disadvantages of terracing: A comprehensive review. Int. Soil Water Conserv. Res. 9:344–359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2021.03.002
Di Fazio, S., Modica, G. 2018. Historic rural landscapes: sustainable planning strategies and action criteria. The Italian Experience in the global and European context. Sustainability 10:3834. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113834
Esposito, E., Porfido, S., Violante, C., Molisso, F., Sacchi, M., Santoro, G., et al. 2011. Flood risk estimation through document sources analysis: the case of the Amalfi rocky coast. DTA DTA/06. Accessed: June 13, 2024. Available from: http://www.dta.cnr.it/
Fang, X., Li, J., Zhu, Y., Cao, J., Na, J., Jiang, S., et al. 2021. OBIA-Based Extraction of Artificial Terrace Damages in the Loess Plateau of China from UAV Photogrammetry. ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 10:805. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10120805
Freeman, P.K. 2004. Allocation of post-disaster reconstruction financing to housing. Build. Res. Inf. 32:427–437. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0961321042000221016
Fuchs, S., Heiss, K., Hübl, J. 2007. Towards an empirical vulnerability function for use in debris flow risk assessment. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. 7:495-506. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-7-495-2007
Fusco Girard, L., Gravagnuolo, A., De Rosa, F. 2019. The multidimensional benefits of terraced landscape regeneration: an economic perspective and beyond. In: M. Varotto, L. Bonardi, and P. Tarolli (eds.), World Terraced landscapes: history, environment, quality of life. Cham, Springer. pp. 273-293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96815-5_17
Helmer, M., Hilhorst, D. 2006. Natural disasters and climate change. Disasters 30:1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9523.2006.00302.x
Hernández-Moreno, G., Alcántara-Ayala, I. 2017. Landslide risk perception in Mexico: a research gate into public awareness and knowledge. Landslides 14:351–371. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-016-0683-9
Italian Council of State. 2020. Plenary Meeting, sentence January 20th, 2020, n. 2. In: Rivista Giuridica dell'Edilizia, 2020, 2, I, 322.
Italian Ministerial Decree. 1960. Decreto ministeriale 8 Ottobre 1960 - Italian Ministerial Decree of 8 October 1960. Accessed: May 15, 2022. Available from: https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/1960/10/20/258/sg/pdf
Italian Regulation. 2023. State budget for the financial year 2024 and multiannual budget for the three-year period 2024-2026. Law 213 of 30.12.2023. Art. 1, paragraphs 101-111 measures relating to catastrophic risks. Available from: https://gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2023/12/30/23G00223/sg
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2019. Judgment n. 20312. in Diritto & Giustizia, July 29th, 2019.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgmen. 1994. Section I, January 20th, 1994, Judgment n. 20312. In: Giustizia civile Massimario; 1994, 49.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2014. Section II, November 18th, 2014, Judgment n. 24513.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2013. Section II, September 11th, 2013, Judgment n. 20849. In: Giustizia Civile Massimario.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2010. Section III, January 21st, 2010, Judgment n. 1002. In: Giustizia Civile 3, I, 559.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2018. Section III, March 14th, 2018, Judgment n. 6139. In: Law & Justice, March 15th, 2018.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2008. Section III, May 6th, 2008, Judgment n. 11053. In: Giustizia civile, 2010, 1, I, 176.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2005. Section III, October 14th, 2005, Judgment n. 19974. In: Giustizia civile, 2005, 10.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment. 2017. Section VI, May 16th, 2017, Judgment n. 12027. In: Giustizia Civile Massimario.
Italian Supreme Court of Cassation Judgment,. 2011. Sezione II, February 21st, 2011, Judgment n. 4206. In: Guida al diritto, 2011, 16, 59.
LaFevor, M.C. 2014) Restoration of degraded agricultural terraces: Rebuilding landscape structure and process. J. Environ. Manage. 138:32-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.11.019
Lesschen, J.P., Cammeraat, L.H., Nieman, T. 2008. Erosion and terrace failure due to agricultural land abandonment in a semi-arid environment. Earth Surf. Process. Landf. 33:1574-1584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1676
Milman, A., Warner, B.P., Chapman, D.A., Short Gianotti, A.G. 2018. Identifying and quantifying landowner perspectives on integrated flood risk management. J. Flood Risk Manag. 11:34-47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12291
Miscolta-Cameron, A. 2016. Science and strategy: how scientific and technical information are used in disputes over landslide regulations in Seattle, WA. WWU Grad. Sch. Collect. Available from: https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/499/
Municipality of Minori. 2016. Municipal Urban Plan Minori 2014 Relazione Generale, revision January 2016.
Nearing, M.A., Pruski, F F., O’Neal, M.R. 2004. Expected climate change impacts on soil erosion rates: A review. J. Soil Water Conserv. 59:43-50.
Pachauri, R.K., Mayer, L. 2015. Climate change 2014: synthesis report. Geneva, IPCC.
Peres, D.J., Cancelliere, A. 2018. Modeling impacts of climate change on return period of landslide triggering. J. Hydrol. 567:420-434. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.10.036
Pijl, A., Tosoni, M., Roder, G., Sofia, G., Tarolli, P. 2019. Design of terrace drainage networks using UAV-based high-resolution topographic data. Water 11:814. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040814
Porfido, S., Esposito, E., Mazzola, S., Violante, C., Santoro, G., Spiga, E. 2012. Frane ed alluvioni nel salernitano e a Cava de’ Tirreni. In: G. Foscari, E. Esposito, S. Mazzola, S. Porfido, S. Sciarrotta, G. Santoro (eds.), Lo Alluvione : il disastro del 1773 a Cava tra memoria storica e rimozione. Salerno, Edisud. pp. 9-31.
Porfido, S., Esposito, E., Molisso, F., Sacchi, M., Violante, C. 2013. Flood historical data for flood risk estimation in coastal areas, Eastern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. In: C. Margottini, P. Canuti, K. Sassa (eds.) Landslide Science and Practice. Berlin, Springer. pp. 103-108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31427-8_13
Region Campania. 1987. Regional Law 27 giugno 1987 n. 35, Territorial Urban Plan of the Sorrentino-Amalfitano Area. Available from: https://www.regione.campania.it/normativa/item.php?25a99636d340201ca19723d96c08cf6e=ea691569ba7f6ec66134d0e12d692258&pgCode=G19I231R1915&id_doc_type=1&id_tema=6&refresh=on
Ribera, F., Romano, C. 2018. The historical buildings of Minori: a preliminary assessment for the restoration of a UNESCO site. In: G. Amoruso (ed.), Putting tradition into practice: heritage, place and design. Cham, Springer. pp. 1191-1200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57937-5_123
Schwarze, R., Wagner, G.G. 2007. The political economy of natural disaster insurance: lessons from the failure of a proposed compulsory insurance scheme in Germany. Eur. Environ. 17:403-415. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.456
Sicchiero, G. 1998. Rinuncia. In: Digesto delle discipline privatistiche sezione civile, XVII. Turin, UTET. pp. 653
Stavi, I., Rozenberg, T., Al-Ashhab, A., Argaman, E., Groner, E. 2018. Failure and collapse of ancient agricultural stone terraces: on-site effects on soil and vegetation. Water 10:1400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10101400
Tarolli, P., Preti, F., Romano, N. 2014. Terraced landscapes: From an old best practice to a potential hazard for soil degradation due to land abandonment. Anthropocene 6:10-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2014.03.002
Tarolli, P., Rizzo, D., Brancucci, G. 2018. Terraced landscapes: land abandonment, soil degradation, and suitable management. In: M. Varotto, L. Bonardi, P. Tarolli (eds.), World terraced landscapes: history, environment, quality of life. Cham, Springer. pp. 195-210. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96815-5_12
Tarquini S., Isola, I., Favalli, M., Battistini, A., Dotta, G. 2023. TINITALY, a digital elevation model of Italy with a 10 meters cell size (Version 1.1). Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). Available from: https://doi.org/10.13127/tinitaly/1.1
Tessitore, S., Martire, D., di Martino, R., Calcaterra, D. 2011. Comparison of 2d models for the simulation of the october 1954 debris flow and flood event at maiori (Campania region, Italy). Ital. J. Eng. Geol. Environ. 513-522.
Totaro, V., Gioia, A., Kuczera, G., Iacobellis, V. 2024. Modelling multidecadal variability in flood frequency using the two-component extreme value distribution. Stoch. Environ. Res. Risk Assess. 38:2157-2174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-024-02673-8
Rovereto District Court. 2015. Order of 22 May 2015. In: Foro italiano, 2015, I, 2833.;
UNESCO. 1997. Costiera Amalfitana. Available from: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/830
UNESCO. 2018. Decisions. Available from: https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions
Violante, C., Biscarini, C., Esposito, E., Molisso, F., Porfido, S., Sacchi, M. 2008. The consequences of hydrological events on steep coastal watersheds: the Costa d’Amalfi, eastern Tyrrhenian Sea. In: Proc. Symp. Island of Capri, Italy. Available from: https://www.cesbim.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/crescenzo-violante.pdf

How to Cite

Delogu, G., Boccia, L. and Mari, G. (2024) “Terraced landscapes: risk and liability”, Journal of Agricultural Engineering. doi: 10.4081/jae.2024.1618.
Copyright (c) 2024 the Author(s) Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.


Similar Articles

<< < 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.