The role of agriculture in rural and urban areas of a region with widespread industrialization

The paper proposes a methodology aiming at classifying a region into different areas in order to better modelling rural development policies and to highlight the specific multifunctional roles played by agriculture in areas characterized by different levels of rurality. In particular, by examining a case study, the paper highlights the need to adapt international methodologies to the specific socio-economic structure of a region, in order to better targeting policy actions. The case study is referred to Veneto, an Italian region well known for its diffused-industrialization model based on SMEs. A OECD-modified area classification is proposed and statistically and GIS-comparatively tested. The suggested area classification of Veneto should include: a) the rural area where agriculture plays a limited role in producing market goods but a relevant one in supplying environmental and recreational services and internalizing into the market some of them; b) the rural-urban area where market-oriented agriculture is relevant and it answers to important social needs such us low housing social cost, environmental friendly practices, high quality products supply and a balanced link between agriculture and low-medium scale manufacturing sector; c) the urban area where agriculture is marginal in food supply but it can play a relevant role in providing environmental, recreational and social services to its residents. Finally, the comparison of our results with other more general classifications shows that, in some cases, anchoring policy decisions on a general definition of rural areas could identify as rural only marginal areas.