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federico cinquepalmi
of 17 researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The text, still of extreme interest even if a bit dated, is based on a mathematical model of the world aimed at the analysis of five main trends, namely increasing industrialization, population growth, agricultural production, the widespread use of nonrenewable resources and pollution18. The urban ecological footprint After a period of scientific eclipse, the concept of urban metabolism developed in the mid-20 th century was revived in the first decade of the 21st century19 20. It is interesting to note, however, that notwithstanding the current popularity of this approach, there is actually no unanimous consensus in the literature about what constitutes its foundational elements. Kennedy and others21 (2011) identify Abel Wolman22 (1965) as the father of the concept of metabolism, based on his study of the replenishment process of a hypothetical 18 “The team examined the five basic factors that determine, and therefore, ultimately limit, growth on this planet: population, agricultural production, natural resources, industrial production and pollution”. Meadows D.H., Meadows D.L., Randers J., Behrens III W.W. 1972, The Limits to Growth, Universe Books, New York, pp. 11-12. 19 Sabine Barles is professor of environmental studies, urban planner and civil engineer, at the Laboratoire d’architecture urbanisme et société de l’Institute Français d’Urbanisme specializing in research in the field of ‘urban metabolism’. 20 Barles S. 2010, Society, energy and materials: the contribution of urban metabolism studies to sustainable urban development issues, «Journal of Environmental Planning and Management», vol. 53, n. 4, pp. 439-455. 21 Kennedy C., Pincetl S., Bunje P. 2011, The study of urban metabolism and its applications to urban planning and design, «Environmental Pollution », vol. 159, n. 8-9, pp. 1965-1973. 22 Wolman A. 1965, The metabolism of cities, «Scientific American», vol. 213, pp. 179-190.
