Italia di mezzo

Abstract

The Italian debate concerning the relationship between cities and inner areas polarized around a few dichotomous - and somehow simplifying - positions. On the one hand exists the rhetoric addressing the ``villages'', intended as remote places to re-inhabit, escaping from the pandemic. On the other hand is the narrative of the metropolis, envisioned as a place-fulcrum from which to start again -- following the already-known patterns of growth and concentration -- despite the fragilities made explicit by Covid. In order to overcome these juxtaposed approaches, our work wants to shed light on the importance of ``intermediate territories'' intended as priority places to rethink within a new geography of marginality. In Italy, such intermediate territories, named \emph{Italia di mezzo}, occupy half of the national surface and host more than half of the population. Moreover, they embody extremely articulated geography: they include portions of twentieth-century urbanization (such as coastal settlements, industrial districts, various traits of ``città diffusa''), medium-sized cities with different administrative and functional centrality levels, sectors of metropolitan belts and a substantial share of rural areas in plains and hills. Faced with the radical risks and uncertainties that characterize the contemporary condition, it is essential to take care of these territories not only because they urgently need investments aimed at solving forgotten critical issues (from the necessary reconversion of production chains to the impact of climate change). These territories can also play a strategic positive role in the face of crisis phenomena thanks to their characteristics of elasticity and plasticity. If we look at them from a relational point of view - and not only from a topological one - these intermediate territories can play the role of two-sided ``intermediaries'' and ``hinges.'' On the one hand, they can be prepared to provide assistance and support to the inner and less densely populated areas; on the other hand, by taking advantage of their infrastructural and social capital, they can offer decongesting opportunities for most polluted metropolitan areas and more accessible living and working conditions.

A research method for locating community healthcare facilities in Italy: how to guarantee healthcare for all

“…The most recent research on the Italian settlement structure highlights the presence of both large metropolises and the Inner Areas, but also of a "middle" territory with specific fragilities and imbalances (Di Matteo et al, 2021;Mascarucci, 2020;Kercuku et al, 2023). This classification, based on the diversity of territorial strengths and weaknesses, calls for a multiscalar approach in healthcare planning as well, to offer a service tailored to the different levels of "proximity" contexts.…”

“…The paper argues for an in-depth study on how to localise the current and future CHFs to guarantee healthcare services for all from the Inner Areas to metropolis and "Intermediate territories" (Di Matteo et al, 2021;Kercuku et al, 2023).…”

Territorial marginality: causes, methods and policies.

“…We explore the conditions that cause or define marginality, the dimensions that should structure a definition, suitable quantitative and qualitative indicators to classify marginal territories, and the features of territorial policies and strategies to address them. The papers explore different meanings of marginality using diverse research methods: quantitative approaches address the use of cultural heritage, population ageing, the lack of infrastructures and the limitations of existing policy approaches (Rossitti, Torrieri 2022, Vecchio 2022, Orellana Ossandón et al 2023, Kercuku et al 2023; mixed-method approaches combine statistical indicators with qualitative methods to explore landscape features and workspaces in marginal areas (Flipo et al 2022, Porreca et al 2023; finally, qualitative approaches analyse causes and impact of marginality in everyday life (Vendemmia, Lanza 2022).…”

“…The works analyse geographical and territorial contexts, including European and South-American countries. Rossitti, Torrieri (2022) and Vendemmia, Lanza (2022) investigate marginality in Italian inner areas, looking at two different Apennine contexts: Campania region in the South and Emilia Romagna in the North of the country; instead, Kercuku et al (2023) focus on in-between territories, that is, those areas that are not considered either traditionally marginal or central. Flipo et al (2022) provide an analysis of marginal territories in France.…”

“…The idea that the territories in-between inner and metropolitan areas are becoming progressively marginal is at the base of the work of Kercuku et al (2023) that sheds light on the importance of "intermediate territories". In Italy, such territories, named Italia di mezzo, embody extremely articulated geographies, including portions of twentiethcentury urbanisation, medium-sized cities with different administrative and functional centrality levels, metropolitan belts, and a substantial share of rural areas in plains and hills.…”