A Model of Analysis and Assessment to Support the Valorisation and Management of Green Areas: The Royal Gardens of Turin (Italy)

This contribution aims to develop an integrated model of analysis and assessment for the valorisation and management of green spaces, with particular regard to historic gardens. The model is based on the combination of two main tools: on the one hand, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), employed for the classification and geolocation of green areas, following the Italian legislation in force on Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM), and on the other hand, an extended version of the SWOT Analysis, that aims at identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats both at the state of the art and a potential future scenario. The combination of the two tools is applied to a real case study in Northern Italy: the Royal Gardens of the City of Turin (Italy), known for their historical, social, economic and ecosystem-urban values. GIS systems and SWOT analysis can be used in parallel and provide distinct results, or be combined, in the ex-ante, in-itinere and ex-post phases of the assessment process, thus providing valid support to planners and Decision Makers, in the definition of strategic guidelines of valorisation and management of historical green heritage in the medium and long term, as well as professionals and specialized bodies to optimize the care and management of this heritage.