There is not presently such a negative connotation in Italy. Wetlands and forrests are protected, although in the sixties and seventies developments have ruined many nice places. In the town where I live they let builders build on the beach. This must be one of the uglier coastal towns in Italy, you walk by the beach and see just houses. We've had our lot of incredibly greed and obtuse politicians. Still have them unfortunately.
Some day i hope to see beaches open to everyone. We have lakes here in Michigan that the public cannot even get to because of ownership. It is a white mans invention. The Native Indians who lived here before us could not understand the concept.
