Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nature
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Rural
Urban
Nature
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Fig. 6.10
Four scenarios of the Pic Saint Loup area in 2030
(Figs.
6.11
,
6.12
,
6.13
, and
6.14
), one general aerial view of the landscape (top), and
one characteristic view dominated by the Pic Saint Loup mountain (bottom).
Scenario 1: Biodiversity by Agriculture
This first scenario arises from the awareness that high quality agriculture contributes
to the preservation of biodiversity and Mediterranean landscapes. This awareness is
supported by the collapse of the international transport, which involves a reloca-
tion of agricultural production. In this context, the balance between the place of
residence and the place of work is declared as a major target for town and country
planning. Therefore, the growth of periurban villages is self-restrained and new
housing settlements are built close to the existing habitat, to consume as little space
as possible. The traditional agricultural activities, of gathering, viticulture and
olive-growing reinvest the garrigue. The forest is grazed and cut for wood energy
production. As a consequence, the landscape is opened up by agricultural activities,
but the diversity of practices leads to the preservation of an environmental mosaic.
Scenario 2: A Green City in a Mediterranean Forest
In this second scenario, the extension of large cities such as Montpellier reaches
increasingly distant villages. However, public policies structure this urban growth
