Migrants, Retail Properties and Historic Centre. Urban and Economic Resilience in Palermo (Italy)

Abstract

Migratory flows arriving in the countries of the European Union over the recent years have generated significant urban, social and economic transformations, especially in metropolitan areas. Although with different intensity, the increase of new cultures and ethnic groups living in Italy has led to changes in both social value system and urban economic dynamism, generating consequences also on the real estate market. In order to analyze urban dynamics linked to migration flows, this study focuses on the retail properties used for inner-city shops owned/managed by immigrants. In particular, the city of Palermo (Italy) is chosen as a case study due to its multicultural stratification that is particularly complex in the historic centre. This study highlights also the resilience of foreign business activities after the Covid-19 pandemic emergency and their contribution to the production of social wealth.