The Changing Landscape: The Evolution of Environmental Concern in Italy (2013–2023)

The trend in citizens’ concern about landscape degradation between 2013 and 2023 shows an overalldownward trajectory in Italy, with significant differences among regions. The data highlight how,over the course of a decade, sensitivity to this issue has gradually weakened, while still remaining arelevant indicator of environmental perception and quality of life. This decline cannot be interpretedin a single way: it may reflect both an actual improvement in protection policies and a shift in socialpriorities toward other emergencies, such as economic, health-related, or employment issues. InNorthern Italy, the decrease appears particularly pronounced. Lombardy, for example, falls from21.3% in 2013 to 14.1% in 2023, a reduction of more than one third. A similar pattern can be observedin Trentino–Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Emilia-Romagna, all showing decreases of over34%. These regions, characterized by a dynamic productive fabric and relatively well-structuredenvironmental policies, seem to have benefited from urban regeneration initiatives and greaterattention to land management. However, it cannot be ruled out that the decline also reflects a certainhabituation to landscape change, especially in highly urbanized areas, where infrastructural expansionis perceived as a “normal” feature of development. Veneto represents an interesting case: after asteady decline up to 2022, in 2023 there is a rebound to 16%, higher than the previous year. This maybe linked to new critical issues related to land consumption, tourism pressure, and extreme climateevents, which have significantly affected the area in recent years. Liguria also shows a more containedreduction compared to other northern regions, a sign of a sensitivity that remains alive in a fragileterritory exposed to hydrogeological instability and strong coastal urbanization.