Rinaldo Melucci, Mayor of Taranto; Habib Dhaouadi, Mayor of Gabes; Carmelo Troccoli (Farmer World Market Organization). Moderator Enrica Simonetti, Journalist of the Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno.

The connection between urban areas and their rural peripheries, with particular reference to the enhancement of natural and human resources, is one of the crucial challenges for sustainable territorial development. In a context as fluid and subject to rapid change as the development of urban agglomerations, it is essential to have spatial planning tools that enable a “win-win” exchange between urban and rural areas, stimulating socio-economic growth and food security.
This panel stems from the “BEST-TAG” project financed by EU-DGDevco (now INTPA), within the “Sustainable Cities” programme, for the Municipality of Taranto to support the city of Gabes in Tunisia in urban planning through the integration of agriculture, fishing, industry and handicraft. The two cities are similar because of their territorial context in which economy (primary and secondary sectors), environment and health are interconnected elements to be taken into account in order to guide an integrated urban planning between cities, suburbs and rural/coastal areas. “BEST-TAG” is led by the city of Taranto, with the support of the Apulia Region and the collaboration of CIHEAM Bari.