A comparison of urban planning systems between the UK and Italy: Commercial development and city logistic plan

This paper focuses on planning systems in European countries, and spatial planning as a process that generates different products. The evolution of urban systems has brought on a new model of mobility and a set of negative impacts (economic, social and environmental) have increased, showing the applications for, or lack of, spatial planning. Urban spatial planning tools to pursue sustainable development vary in European countries. In this paper the structure of planning acts are examined with an eye to the tools for regulating commercial activities and relative urban freight distribution. A comparison between two different approaches, in Italy and in the UK, is presented. The two study cases are representative of the heterogeneity among Member States in spatial planning.