Thermodynamic approach for territorial planning: dofferent aspects of the sustainable use of resources and land. A case study from the SPIn-Eco Project

Thermodynamic approach for territorial planning: different aspects of the sustainable use of resources and land. A case study from the SPIn-Eco project S. Bastianoni, F. M. Pulselli & R. M. Pulselli Department of Chemical and Biosystems Sciences, University of Siena, Italy Abstract Managing the resources, both natural and manufactured, is a key problem for every modern society. Any environmental program, both at a local and a global level, has to pay attention to the correct use of them in time. According to the statements of Herman Daly, there are some resources-use criteria to follow in order to reach a sustainable society which is founded on a sustainable economic basis as well. The paper presents an environmental assessment of the use of resources at a local level by a thermodynamic based methodology: emergy evaluation, introduced by Howard Odum. The results of the analysis indicate some critical points and then different path of a feasible future development.