Transhumance and landscape: relationship between settlements and tractural roads in central southern Italy

The study analyzes the historical and spatial evolution of the settlement system in central -southern Italy, with reference to Abruzzo aquilano, affected by the phenomenon of transhumant farming. The main element examined is the historical evolution of the settlement structure with respect to the tractural ways, understood as a fundamental morphogenetic element of the urban systems and the landscape. The objective of the analysis is the identification of a series of elements useful for the protection and enhancement of the paths and of the historical and landscape pre -existences attributable to the phenomenon. The methodology is based on the analysis of the bibliography, especially recent innovative elements about the degradation of the "Tratturi" system, and, with cartographic analyzes and in situ surveys, it defines the critical issues and the territorial resources to lay the basis for a valorization project.