Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Use and Perceptions of Metropolitan Agricultural Parks—Evidence from Milan and Naples of Urban and Environmental Resilience

Abstract

This article describes the multi-function of the metropolitan agricultural parks (MAPs) in Milan (Parco Agricolo Sud Milano) and Naples (Parco De Filippo) and their resilience within the last COVID-19 lockdown period. These parks play an important role in the urban regeneration and social inclusion processes in their relative metropolitan areas. Nevertheless, the restrictions imposed to limit COVID-19 contagions have imposed their closure or severely limited their activities, with evident consequences for the local population’s well-being. This study’s novelty is twofold: it is the first study examining the resilience and sustainability impact of MAPs during COVID-19; additionally, it is the first survey making use of Milan and Naples practices. The work uses primary and secondary data and mixed methods. Exploiting a document analysis and the elaboration of a semi-structured interview with the directors, the article lists the multiple functions of the parks and underlines their multidimensional governance vocations for fostering sustainable development—environmental, economic and social functions. The study also reveals that, during the lockdown, the parks’ activities were strongly reduced or restructured. Recreational and educational activities were lifted in Parco Agricolo Sud in Milan whilst local farms restructured their food supply and fostered their network and linkages with the urban distribution channels. MAP in Naples had to stop its activities and reorganize into a smart-working system. Lastly, our study found that economic and farm network activities were resumed with greater urgency in Milan, whereas in Naples the recovery of the social practices has taken on greater importance.

Measurement and Spatial Differentiation of Farmers’ Livelihood Resilience Under the COVID-19 Epidemic Outbreak in Rural China

“…For example, Rusciano & Gatto. ( 2022 ) discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the use and perception of Milan Metropolitan Agricultural Park. Found that restrictions imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 significantly impacted the well-being of local people.…”

COVID-19 pandemic changes the recreational use of Moscow parks in space and time: Outcomes from crowd-sourcing and machine learning

“…( Egerer et al, 2022 , Erdönmez et al, 20212020 , Fangzheng et al, 2020 , Joshi and Wende, 2022 , Lu et al, 2021 , Mayen Huerta, 2022 , Rusciano and Gatto, 2022 , Samuelsson et al, 2020 , Uchiyama and Kohsaka, 2020 , Van Oijstaeijen et al, 2020 , WHO, 2020l-he )…”

What future are you talking about? Efficacy of Life Design Psy-Lab, as career guidance intervention, to support university students’ needs during COVID-19 emergency

“…With regards to Italy, Cattivelli and Rusciano (2020) , for example, addressed the topic of social innovation applied to food accessibility in rural areas, demonstrating the importance of sharing common commitment and having clear purpose for improving wellbeing. Also, Rusciano and Gatto (2022) examined the role of the presence of Metropolitan Agricoltural Parks both in southern and northern Italy, identifying their role in population’s resilience and sustainability. With regards to interventions on young adults during the COVID-19 pandemics, there was, both nationally and internationally, great attention paid on mental health maintenance or improvement.…”