Sustainable management strategy to preserve Green Infrastructure Heritage. The traditional landscape of olive trees in the city of Ancona, Italy

Over the past century, urbanization has progressively led to the fragmentation and degradation of open spaces, including traditional landscapes such as olive orchards. The preservation of olive heritage in urban and peri-urban contexts is essential for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and cultural identity. However, despite their ecological and historical significance, ancient olive groves are increasingly neglected due to urban expansion, the gradual loss of natural and agricultural resources, financial constraints, and the absence of targeted planning policies. To counteract this trend, integrated strategies that combine planning procedures with participatory management approaches and active citizen engagement are necessary. This study investigates a holistic approach to olive tree preservation through the case study of Ancona, where a participatory management framework was tested within the existing urban planning system. By integrating territorial assessment, planning tool analysis, and socio-economic strategies, the study proposes a scalable three-step methodology aimed at safeguarding landscape heritage while fostering social inclusion and economic sustainability. The results underscore that active citizen involvement and multi-stakeholder collaboration are critical factors for ensuring the long-term viability of preservation programs. Furthermore, the study highlights the necessity of policy innovation and the implementation of financial mechanisms, such as agri-environmental agreements and heritage conservation incentives, to enhance the economic sustainability of these initiatives. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on integrating green infrastructure and cultural landscape preservation into urban and regional planning, offering a replicable model for strengthening the resilience of olive heritage in urbanized contexts.