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The phenomenon of inner peripherality is on the rise in Europe. Inner peripheries can be defined as peripheral rural areas experiencing territorial disconnection and progressive marginalization given their distance to urban centres, where the supply of services is concentrated. Assessing and comparing the sustainable development of these areas according to nuanced and integrated social-biophysical perspectives is crucial to highlight their genuine long-term sustainability potential and critical aspects. Moreover, it is essential to monitor that the socio-economic development of the latter goes hand in hand with territorial stewardship and an appropriate management of their extensive natural endowments. To achieve these objectives, this paper illustrates an innovative methodology to design a multi-criteria evaluation framework named PAISDA (Peripheral Areas Integrated Sustainable Development Assessment). The framework, based on the theoretical background of ecological economics, makes it possible to monitor the sustainable development of inner and marginalized areas according to a “post-growth” approach. It also allows a shift towards a strong sustainability perspective by assessing the phenomenon in an integrated way, which combines social and biophysical dimensions. This can help to design more robust and better targeted policies for these areas, thereby improving local strategic planning. The assessment process is as follows: first, the values of lower order components are computed through a reflective measurement model, then aggregated to form the values of higher order components, which are used as criteria in the last phase of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The choice of normalization and aggregation methods responds to methodological coherence. The paper describes a step-by-step procedure for applying the PAISDA framework in any European country, providing an illustrative example of its implementation in relation to Italian inner areas.

In Italy, within the 'National Strategy on Inland Areas', 'belt areas', 'peripheral areas' and 'ultra-peripheral areas' have emerged and been recognised for the first time since 2013, as well as 'intermediate areas'. The area presented in the paper is atypical, although it presents some recurring characteristics in other intermediate areas close to Italian metropolitan areas. It is an area near of Naples, in the region of Campania, which gravitates around the Royal Bourbon Site of Carditello with a past of considerable historical interest and an unfortunate recent past, which has led it to be in a particularly disadvantaged condition. The paper deals with a topic with little reference literature, at least as far as the Italian reality is concerned; mixed areas, partly 'intermediate' and partly 'Belt'. After a careful Swot analysis, adapted to the territorial context of the area under consideration, focusing on its considerable potential, pointing out some problematic nodes and indicating ways to overcome them, seizing and creating some opportunities for possible sustainable development, the paper proposes a perspective scenario that aims at the sustainable enhancement of the area. Received: 4 December 2023 | Revised: 22 May 2024 | Accepted: 1 July 2024 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in IDEHA. http://www.ponricerca.gov.it/comunicazione/example-projects/industrial-research-and-experimental-development-projects-in-the-12-specialization-areas/ideha/.

Territorial capital is a policy concept that emphasizes the endogenous development and regional competitiveness of particular territories, calling for place-based territorial approaches and greater convergence between spatial planning and regional development policies. However, spatial thinking and imaging are still missing when this concept is applied. This paper introduces a multidimensional assessment model that foregrounds the spatial dimension of territorial capital and enables integration and visualisation of decision-supporting data in planning processes. Taking Sintra's region, Portugal, as a case study, the model helps to consider regional development in spatial planning's strategic visioning as it sets the ground for regional design approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Entorno Geográfico is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Due to the challenges associated with measurement, studies attempting to evaluate the effects of mega and non-mega sports events from a broader, more comprehensive perspective are rare. This paper relies on Camagni's concept of territorial capital, which is often used to evaluate policy actions in regional studies but represents a new concept in sport. The study investigates the option of employing this concept to evaluate international sports events. It is thus the first to involve the concept in the area of sports events and, indeed, in sport generally. After introducing the concept, its four traditional subdimensions are addressed ('public goods and resources', 'private fixed capital stock', 'social capital' and 'human capital') and implemented in aspects of sports events. We found that the content of Camagni's model creates a potential base for a more wide-ranging methodology to assess the impacts and legacies of sports events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the article is to demonstrate the correlation between the lev el of territorial identity of the population and the development of social participation practices. The theory and methodology of the study is based on the works of foreign scientists T. Banini, R. Capello, U. Panzer, who prove the pronounced active position of the population with a high level of territorial identity, and on the concept of “the right to the city” by H. Lefebvre, presented in Russian realities in the works by I.A. Skalaban, E.S. Kochukhova, V.S. Martyanova, E. A. Terentyeva. The main hypothesis of the study: the population with a high level of territorial identity declares its “right to the city” through the practices of social participation, that are manifested mostly in the field of urban space planning, inclusion in the practices of participatory management. In turn, practices of social participation at the local level strengthen territorial identity and boost formation of the attachment to the place of residence. Information collection method: mass survey of the population of the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Region, based on a quota sampling of the population over 18 years old according to the gender and age structure of the city. According to the results of an empirical study, it was proved that the population with a higher level of territorial identity has a significantly greater presence of informal participation practices, especially those related to the transformation of urban space. The practices of helping behaviour are most clearly expressed and the involvement in the activities of public city organisations is more common. It was proved with the help of dispersion analysis that population groups with different levels of social participation practices statistically differ in terms of the level of territorial identity.

Border effects have long been studied and are a central element of EU regional policies. While most literature takes a macroeconomic approach, this paper adopts a microeconomic one, studying the impact on firm productivity in border areas. The empirical analysis, on Italian land borders, employs a novel two‐phases double‐matching design, which considers firm‐level characteristics as well as the territorial capital of municipalities where they locate. Results suggest that border effects are not limited to territories close to the border but affect larger areas. Furthermore, they are significant and negative in urban areas, while they are insignificant in peripheral areas which are characterized by low accessibility and territorial capital endowment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rozwój Regionalny & Polityka Regionalna is the property of Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza (IH UAM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study evaluates the outcomes of the European Union's Cohesion Policy on rural areas in Poland between 2007 and 2018. Stratified propensity score matching was used to examine whether policy impact depends on the type of local territorial capital involved. Inputs and outcomes between individual municipalities with similar territorial capital characteristics and conditions of socio-economic development were modelled and compared. The results show that more advanced development of non-agricultural functions and also a reduced agricultural function led to greater Cohesion Policy effectiveness. Thus, convergence, or the evening out of differences in socio-economic development, does not take place at the local (intraregional) level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As highlighted by the UN 2030 Agenda, sustainable development is a complex and multidimensional issue that can be effectively implemented and reached at the local level. This implies the evaluation of differences and disparities between territories in order to define local priorities and support cohesion policy objectives. This need has been addressed by the Italian "National Strategy for Inner Areas", which aims to support the growth of territories with a continuous economic and population decline. However, Inner Areas are identified by a set of indicators related to the low accessibility to Services of General Interest, neglecting other important factors that contribute to this condition. This paper proposes a critical analysis of this measurement and of the related "territorialization" of Inner Areas, by introducing a more comprehensive assessment model based on the concept of Territorial Capital (TC), which highlights a more nuanced understanding of complexities and diversities related to the potential development of a territory. In particular, the proposed model evaluates eight TC dimensions (human, social, cognitive, infrastructural, productive, relational, environmental and settlement capital), which cover a broad spectrum of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to accurately demonstrate the differences between the results of the two evaluation methods, this paper presents the results of a case study application concerning all 377 municipalities, which compose the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). The findings of this study confirm the potential of an approach based on the Territorial Capital for place-based policymaking. TC, in fact, can become relevant for defining local priorities and supporting complex decisions, allowing governments to better design and tailor interventions for the effective and efficient management of available resources. Furthermore, these results pose new questions for future research developments in the field of sustainable and equitable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Territorial capital encompasses all tangible and intangible assets that represent the growth potential of a place. This study reviews the concept of territorial capital and highlights its components. A database of territorial capital indicators for 270 regions of the European Union at the NUTS 2 level is employed, and a classification of regions based on the material and non-material assets of territorial capital is presented. Mapping differences across regions provides insight into the key dimensions of territorial capital, namely the material resource endowment, non-material resource endowment, and material-non-material asset relations. The results reveal that European regions have been differently endowed with territorial capital during the 2010s; a sharp divide is visible between the Western and Eastern European regions, according to the degree of urbanisation and according to the relative development of regions. The findings of this study have the potential to contribute significantly to the ongoing discussion and evolving research on territorial capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scienze del Territorio is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The marginalization of areas due to a progressive increase in social, material, economic, and infrastructural vulnerability is a phenomenon that afflicts many countries today, and it is growing rapidly. Agenda 2030, in highlighting the need to identify measures to counter this phenomenon, has promoted the development of a growing awareness of addressing this issue that cannot be postponed. With this in mind, in Italy, a map of inland areas was produced by the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (ICEPSD), a publication aimed at measuring the extent of the phenomenon and support the development of specific strategies that collectively define the National Strategy for Inland Areas (NSIA). In this study, starting from a critical analysis of the classification of areas in the National Strategy for Inner Areas, we propose a new cognitive tool of the phenomenon of abandonment developed from the perspective of an axiological approach of marginal areas. This tool is based on the mapping of an abandonment index I a on QGIS with reference to the clusters of municipalities identified based on the quartiles of its values. This index was estimated as an aggregate weighted sum of the components identified because of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) used to analyze the indicators of different forms of territorial capital of weak areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contexts addressed by the Italian National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI) often lack successful regional policies and systemic territorial approaches to achieve effective transformations towards resilient territories. These issues are addressed by the ongoing project "B4R Branding4Resilience." This contribution aims to present and discuss its first results in the focus area of Val di Sole, Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Italy). The main goal of the University of Trento unit is to pursue leadership in innovating with nature in small thermal villages. The aim is to create a territorial strategy based on the value of the water resources and thermal systems by promoting the enhancement of their natural capital. An interdisciplinary and multi-scalar methodology has been adopted to combine qualitative and quantitative approaches; a data collection process was used to explore the natural identity of Val di Sole to comprehend the ecological and spatial elements; a co-design activity was conducted with the local community's engagement to propose a resilient territorial strategic vision. As a result, the "Val di Sole Blueprint" represents a strategic tool to implement thermal landscapes as ecological design resources for the territory and to support sustainable territorial development for a better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study contributes to the rich literature on territorial attractiveness and territorial capital by adopting a psychological approach, developing, and then validating a territorial capital scale that measures people's beliefs and behavioural intentions (i.e. to leave or stay in a rural area). Following a qualitative phase (n = 40), a quantitative survey was conducted in two rural regions of Cameroon (n = 400). Factor analysis revealed a multidimensional construct of perceived territorial capital consisting of six factors. The authors used the Theory of Planned Behaviour to validate the scale. The results show that perceived territorial capital significantly influences perceived behavioural control (PBC), place attachment (PA) and anticipated regrets (AR). This research contributes to rural development policies. • The study contributes to the literature on territorial capital by adopting a psychological approach. • It develops and validates a territorial capital scale that measures people's beliefs and behavioural intentions. • The results highlight a multidimensional construct of perceived territorial capital composed of six factors that influence PBC1, PA2 and AR3. • This research contributes to rural development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As highlighted by the UN 2030 Agenda, sustainable development is a complex and multidimensional issue that can be effectively implemented and reached at the local level. This implies the evaluation of differences and disparities between territories in order to define local priorities and support cohesion policy objectives. This need has been addressed by the Italian “National Strategy for Inner Areas”, which aims to support the growth of territories with a continuous economic and population decline. However, Inner Areas are identified by a set of indicators related to the low accessibility to Services of General Interest, neglecting other important factors that contribute to this condition. This paper proposes a critical analysis of this measurement and of the related “territorialization” of Inner Areas, by introducing a more comprehensive assessment model based on the concept of Territorial Capital (TC), which highlights a more nuanced understanding of complexities and diversities related to the potential development of a territory. In particular, the proposed model evaluates eight TC dimensions (human, social, cognitive, infrastructural, productive, relational, environmental and settlement capital), which cover a broad spectrum of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to accurately demonstrate the differences between the results of the two evaluation methods, this paper presents the results of a case study application concerning all 377 municipalities, which compose the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). The findings of this study confirm the potential of an approach based on the Territorial Capital for place-based policymaking. TC, in fact, can become relevant for defining local priorities and supporting complex decisions, allowing governments to better design and tailor interventions for the effective and efficient management of available resources. Furthermore, these results pose new questions for future research developments in the field of sustainable and equitable development.

The territorial capital approach is used to investigate the economic development of regions in Ukraine in an empirical model. In addition to 'traditional' models of regional development, potentially important variables for economic growth, such as elements of social and societal capital (e.g., trust, corruption, non-profit organizations, libraries), are included. Furthermore, the effects of the military conflicts in Ukraine on regional development are described. The empirical results suggest that—while there are no clear-cut effects of all elements of the territorial capital—some interesting variables are of significant importance for the regional development in Ukraine. For instance, strengthening the cultural and social, as well as institutional capital as parts of the overall governance structure, may have positive effects on regional development equal to those originating from hard infrastructure, such as roads and railroads. The results also indicate that—besides the devastating effects of the military conflicts—there is a range of options for public policies supporting territorial capital. These policies include the provision and implementation of robust legal frameworks to increase trust and to reduce corruption, the support of educational efforts and the institutions of civil society, and the promotion of local (i.e. municipal) investments in the framework of a foundational economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of regions to develop new productive capacities and to address the needs of inhabitants has become central in the EU agenda to trigger cohesion, sustainable growth and equality. This ability does not derive only from material assets but also from cognitive ones, such as trust, ways of cooperation, governance cultures and sense of belonging. Cognitive aspects are in fact fundamental in making the most of the greater potential of territorial features. Using the concept of territorial capital, we investigate this mix between material and cognitive assets in regional planning discourses. Territorial capital raises issues of spatial diversity and inequality as questions of access. Starting from the theoretical framework suggested by Servillo, Atkinson, and Russo (2011) on attractiveness and mobilization strategies, this article addresses the issue of territorial inequalities on material and cognitive bases by analysing mobilization discourses on territorial capital at a regional scale in Italy and Austria. The investigation of three case studies at differentterritorial scales (urban, suburban and rural) in each country allows both intra-regional and inter-regional comparison. By mapping the discursive structures of local economic development documents and key-actor interviews, we analyse the different mobilizing strategies in these contexts. Comparing inter-regional mobilization provides an in-depth insight into differences as well as similarities of cohesion strategies in regional planning on multiple levels. This can spark new territorially sensitive schemes for further sustainable socio-economic and equalising development that connects with the social structures on the ground.

Talking about abandonment means talking about fragile territories that need a regeneration territorial project. In this paper the phenomenon of abandonment becomes an opportunity to identify relationships between unused resources, anthropic dynamics, original landscapes. Bioregionalism isbproposed as a possible theoretical approach that guides actions of project, reveals and holds togetherbtangible and intangible resources and identifies the most suitable spatial scale for regeneration ofbdepopulated territories. VENTO project, the 780 km cycle route financed by Italian Ministries thatbconnects northern Italy, becomes a case study to investigate the potential of the slow line to be a bioregional project.

The purpose of the work is to identify the ways and scope of territorialization processes of human capital as well as to analyze its perception and values in economic processes. Theoretical research begins with the identification of human resources as a production factor that is reevaluated and reinterpreted towards the concept of human capital. Human capital is not initially associated with the place and space, especially in the initial period of globalization of the late twentieth century. However, also under the global trends it is getting territorialised, which is raising the role of territory in economic processes both in the local, as well as in global scale. At the same time, the nature of innovative processes also changes, from a linear model to open innovation systems. These systems are also determined by the properties of the territory. Thus, two important features of human capital are revealed through evolution, subject to embeddedness and concentration processes. Human capital is an important element of territorial capital that determines the existence and attractiveness of innovative entrepreneurial milieu. The role of the spatial proximity of the institutional environment is invaluable in his investment process.

The marginalization of areas due to a progressive increase in social, material, economic, and infrastructural vulnerability is a phenomenon that afflicts many countries today, and it is growing rapidly. Agenda 2030, in highlighting the need to identify measures to counter this phenomenon, has promoted the development of a growing awareness of addressing this issue that cannot be postponed. With this in mind, in Italy, a map of inland areas was produced by the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (ICEPSD), a publication aimed at measuring the extent of the phenomenon and support the development of specific strategies that collectively define the National Strategy for Inland Areas (NSIA). In this study, starting from a critical analysis of the classification of areas in the National Strategy for Inner Areas, we propose a new cognitive tool of the phenomenon of abandonment developed from the perspective of an axiological approach of marginal areas. This tool is based on the mapping of an abandonment index Ia on QGIS with reference to the clusters of municipalities identified based on the quartiles of its values. This index was estimated as an aggregate weighted sum of the components identified because of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) used to analyze the indicators of different forms of territorial capital of weak areas.

The concept of development evolves following the transformations and new challenges communities have to face. In this framework, in the past twenty years, development discourse has covered questions about the interrelations among its different dimensions (economic, human, social, environmental, institutional), about the transition from linear to circular models, and about the role (and importance) of endogenous resources. This evolution has increased the attention given to local development strategies and their role in the promotion of sustainability and socio-economic growth by recognizing and reorganizing local resources. This article grounds the concept of territorial capital to Maramureş County (Romania) with the aim of understanding its role and of assessing its potential as a driving force to guide local communities in the exploitation of endogenous resources. Through a comparative analysis of the case studies of the Tâvarna Mare Natura 2000 site (Sibiu County) and Oaş Gutai (Maramureş County), the work also aims to provide general insights to inform local development policies. The research is based on multiple research methods including secondary data analysis, a survey, and a set of interviews with local stakeholders and rural development experts, and it is developed through a comparative analysis between the case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present the endogenous developmental potential of the Sellye district. We examine the state of the internal capital factors of the area as well as determine indicators that can reveal the spatial structural characteristics of these factors. The main types of settlements of the district, along with the elements above were identified through a cluster analysis based on secondary statistical data. A hierarchical cluster analysis and Ward's method were used to form the clusters. The results show that the endogenous developmental potential of the Sellye district is low; the effects of the socioeconomic problems of the area are reflected in almost all of the examined capital factors. This is especially true for the most disadvantaged and least populated settlements of the district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the commoning heritage processes find application for the production of agro-environmental public goods in contexts of high socio-economic marginality and environmental vulnerability, characterized by abandonment and from the consumption of agricultural land for food use. The purpose is to understand how these processes are able to influence, at local level, the governance processes for the implementation of environmental protection strategies. The survey made it possible to verify how the commoning processes aimed at the production of agro-environmental goods generate territorial resilience, understood as a community competence able to structure specific forms of social learning based on priorities identified and defined by the communities. The followed theoretical framework and the methodological approach have allowed on the one hand to draw up a taxonomy of the different territorial dynamics and on the other to identify a mixed indicator system, applicable and replicable also in other contexts, able to describe its dimensions analytically. The assessment of the cognitive elements related to the territorial fabric carried out through the proposed approach has allowed to demonstrate how the knowledge of the territorial capital contributes to the activation of forms of collective intelligence necessary for decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative paper explores rural women entrepreneurs' motives for joining a female-founded, female-only business network. Using a theoretical framework based on the collective identity, territorial capital and gendered networks, we found that rural women's underlying motives to join the network is to harmonise the perceived dichotomy between their roles as women and as entrepreneurs and pave the way for a successful entrepreneurial journey. Their narratives suggest they prefer to connect and learn in business networks that they feel are extensions of who they are; that is where their identities are maintained and produce a sense of belonging. Network members perceive each other as 'like-minded', which suggests interpersonal congruence and behavioural integration, where they expect social interactions to be conflict-free. Therefore, the women perceived the network as supportive and non-competitive, with the main benefits of building their self-confidence while mitigating the social isolation and feelings of loneliness that characterise rural contexts in Australia. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of female-founded FOBNs as neo-endogenous agents catalysts for shifting social paradigms and fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive rural landscape. • Women entrepreneurs in rural Australia see their roles as women and entrepreneurs as conflicting. • Their narratives suggest a lack of self-confidence, low self-worth, and a desire to relate to like-minded people in a safe environment. • They join female-founded FOBNs to harmonise their conflicting roles and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey. • To achieve this, they need to be empowered, feel that they belong, and feel safe and supported. • FOBNs can support personal growth, legitimise women in entrepreneurship and mitigate social isolation in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Science Policy & Practice is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Regional Science Policy & Practice is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study examined the development process of towns in the Polish region Lower Silesia. It analysed seven units with a very specific function – spa and tourist resort. The final comparison considered the period of 2015-2019. The conducted analysis was based on a taxonomic method that examined local explanatory factors towards the territorial aspect of development. The initial research findings show that towns can be an important link in regional settlement units, but only those who developed specific endogenous functions are performing well and respond to changing economic patterns and economic globalisation. In this case spa and touristic character were analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revue d'Économie Régionale & urbaine is the property of Librairie Armand Colin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The main goal of the research presented in the paper is to analyse the current state and level of development of rural area, in Kneževo municipality, as well as to define the possibilities of development of certain forms of rural tourism based on the territorial capital. In other words, the capital of space consists of natural and created capital. For the purposes of the valorisation of tourist potentials, the qualitative-quantitative methodology of the World Tourism Organization was used, which includes conducting a survey using standard forms of a questionnaire. Based on this survey, resource scoring was performed according to all external and internal factors, i.e. criteria. According to the results of the research, the indicator of tourist value for Kneževo municipality is estimated with 98.74 points out of a possible 400 points, оr 25% of its potential tourist value.

This paper investigates how territorial capital, defined as a 'mix' of tangible and intangible local resources accumulated over time across different territories, becomes a source of competitive advantage for firms. The study draws upon semi-structured interviews with firms' owner-managers operating in the North and South of Italy and shows how local resources generate firms' costs and differentiation advantages through acting as territorial externalities or becoming an essential core asset to the firm. Results demonstrate how local resources are highly interconnected, making territorial capital unique in each place and not easily imitable, which ensures long term competitive advantages for those firms that benefit from its endowment. A mix of advanced local resources developed through long term investment is shown to be more valuable for firms than inherited resources, provided by 'God' or 'ancestors'. Using the concept of territorial capital in this manner provides insights into understanding sources of firm competitiveness related to location and the persistence of territorial economic disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of territorial capital (TC) on the productivity of Italian firms is investigated by constructing indicators for eight dimensions of TC in a first attempt to capture a wide variety of regional resources. When imposing homogeneous TC effects on all firms, it is found that technological, social, institutional, financial and infrastructure capital drive productivity. However, only technological and artistic capital contribute to reduce regional disparities. Across industries, financial capital and infrastructure increase productivity in companies operating in a wide range of sectors. Industrial policies should consider sectoral heterogeneity and north–south differences to effectively boost productivity performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cohesion policy, focused on the relevance of the place-based approaches, suggests defining territorialised interventions, that is to say calibrated on the actual needs of geographical contexts as well as on specificities and local resources. The result is a rediscovered centrality of the concept of territorial capital which is deepened in this contribution, as per the methodological indications provided by the PRIN. In the first instance a brief review is proposed on the concept itself, aimed at highlighting the different theoretical interpretations present in the literature and in the policy documents, on an international / national and local scale. Subsequently some possible territorial capital measurement criteria are considered in the perspective of being able to use them in an empirical research phase that imposes the concrete choice of measurable indicators. Finally, some examples of regional ex ante analysis presented on the basis of selected indicators (as pertinent to the topic and measurable) and applied to the national scale are presented.

Territorial capital (TC) is often defined as a set of tangible and intangible values, of an economic, social and environmental nature, capable of determining the development potential of a territory. In this paper, two fundamental categories of TC factors are identified. The first (generative factors) includes human capital and social capital which together significantly influence individual and collective action. The material and immaterial effects induced by this category of TC take the form of structures, infrastructures, productive and governmental structures, artistic expressions, and the cultural heritage and constitute the second category of TC factors (here defined as sedimented factors). Measuring and assessing these two categories, here applied to the case of provinces in Italy, could allow the formulation of key policy suggestions for economic growth and territorial development. The preliminary results provide useful information about the methodological framework adopted and pose new questions for future research developments.

Subject and purpose of work: The article presents the concept of smart villages formulated in EU documents. Its purpose is to characterize the concept of smart villages - its assumptions, possibilities and implementation limitations.

This paper is intended to theoretically examine the premises of the regional development paradigm. It discusses key conceptual categories and the logical structure of the idea to highlight comparative differences between the traditional and territorial understanding of space and its impact on economic development. Further considerations focus on the interpretation of derivative notions such as territorial capital, territorialisation of economic development, and development policy. The applied research method consists of a critical analysis of the literature on the subject, supplemented with an analysis of reports and expert opinions prepared for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission. Recent decades have witnessed an in-depth reinterpretation of the meaning of space in economic development processes. The term “territory” is no longer identified with a static location and a simple accumulation of resources. It is interpreted as a place that is dynamic in terms of time and space and that has emerged from interactions and network relationships with its own informal institutions and specific resources, which facilitate the attainment of improved economic efficiency. It is also perceived as a dynamic organisational structure that reduces uncertainty and risk and as a place where resources are generated and accumulated, and within which knowledge, innovation, and skills are transferred. Place-based development produces a specific system of relationships and a creative social and economic framework that can be adapted to changes by creating new resources and development opportunities.

The paper analyses the significance of territorial capital and continuity of rural revitalisation based on knowledge and creativity. It points to necessity of overcoming unfavorable economic and social structure of rural regions in Serbia which demand economic and social modernisation, considering endogenous factors of development. Therefore, the aim of research is to emphasize that successful rural development demands such functioning of all endogenous resources which provide sustainable innovative development, including complex structures of institutional, organisational, and technical technological changes in economy and society. The viewpoint that economic-social development is created in local communities implies that it is defined not only by natural potentials and resources but also by their mutual complementarity with creative activities and institutional ambience for successfully managing the process of revitalization of rural regions. The models of encouragement of rural economy and examples of good practice in creative entrepreneurship in this sector are also the subject of consideration. The results of research show that new strategies of rural development in the conditions of dynamic development of science, knowledge, technical-technological innovations, creativity and entrepreneurship are inevitable, while the growth and development depend on proactive reaction to outer and inner challenges. The first section of the paper points to the significance of territorial capital and creative entrepreneurship for the concept of rural development based on knowledge. In the second section of the paper, various approaches to rural revitalization are considered through the activities which are basically important in economic transformation and quality of social life in rural areas. The third section presents the concept of territorial capital and significant factors of rural economy, while the fourth section shows the examples of good practice of interdependence of innovations and benefits of the local environment.

Copyright of Revue d'Économie Régionale & urbaine is the property of Librairie Armand Colin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)