Cultural and touristic valorization processes: Towards a collaborative governance for development in southern italy

Abstract

This research outlines a gradualist approach towards touristic and cultural valorization processes in Southern Italy. Factors slowing down social progress and sustainable development in these marginal regions are numerous: unemployment, de-industrialization, depopulation of city centers, social marginality and widespread illegality. In a context where municipalities are confronted with decreasing financial resources and worsening administrative capabilities, cultural and touristic valorization can however be achieved through innovative processes and products, as well as through a territorially integrated and socially, culturally and technologically innovative development model. After discussing collaborative cultural processes, this paper outlines a possible framework for knowing, using, manage, and communicate cultural and identity-related resources in marginal areas in Southern Italy. This process is built on an interdisciplinary toolkit based on disciplines such as: environmental psychology, place branding, community planning, multi-group evaluation and business management. Against this background, it seeks to outline new cultural and users-based touristic amenities. Here, ICT-supported and collaborative decision-making processes pave the way for a new territorial governance.