How can graffiti art grow without vandalism increasing? Are there any programs or incentives for graffiti artists to display their work legally?

I recently spotted something on Facebook about a pretty cool idea a considerate graffiti artist in Norwich, UK is doing to promote his art without vandalising other people's property:

I think this is a very creative idea, and whoever is responsible for the ingenuity is now reaping the benefits as his work gets shared over social media...

But realistically, can walls around town be shrink wrapped and painted on legally? 

And will this break the "culture" that surrounds graffiti?

I grew up in Rome, Italy - and of all the wonderful art people associate with Italy, graffiti doesn't usually spring to mind.

And yet these are the scenes that tourists are met with as they wander around the city:

The worst thing is that historic buildings and ancient monuments aren't spared any special dispensation either, graffiti is literally everywhere in Rome.

When I was younger, I used to hang out with people that when "tagging" or spray painting on a regular basis - and the sad thing is that at the basis of it all is a desire to be cool, respected, and to find a creative outlet.

It's disappointing that there isn't another way of meeting those demands and tapping into the talent that some graffiti artists display, without ruining an ancient city.

I knew of a few "legal" places where people were invited to spray paint, but because of the limited space - pieces were covered up by newcomers pretty quickly, and graffiti is all about leaving a permanent impact.

I wonder if the solution might be to take that idea and scale it: Find or create a part of town where people don't mind having walls daubed with graffiti.

This area could become the 'red light district' of spray paint, a place where graffiti art is promoted and respected, so long as the artists respect the boundaries too...

Rome is the home of graffiti

I guess the ironic thing about graffiti in Rome is that it is technically the home of graffiti.

The word 'graffiti' comes from the Latin word "to scratch", and the first examples of graffiti were etchings and scratches that Ancient Romans marked walls with when they wanted to criticise or make fun of political and social issues of their time.

So maybe the truth is graffiti and vandalism are both entwined in the human instinct to communicate and create, but it would be cool to find a way for people to do that in a way that doesn't turn urban landscapes into eyesores.