Contributions of the configurational approach to territorial imbalances’ mapping: A discussion centred on the Italian cohesion strategy

Chioni, Chiara, Pezzica, Camilla ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0512-7591 and Altafini, Diego ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6559-2372 2024. Contributions of the configurational approach to territorial imbalances’ mapping: A discussion centred on the Italian cohesion strategy. Presented at: 14th International Space Syntax Symposium, Nicosia, Cyprus, 24-28 June 2024. Item availability restricted.

PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 31 August 2024 due to copyright restrictions. Download (2MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The European Union's territorial expansion has brought to light the existence of regions characterised by uneven development and asymmetric connections to primary infrastructure networks. In particular, the so-called ‘Inner Areas’ cover around 60% of the Italian territory and the national cohesion strategy (SNAI) targeting them was developed to combat marginalisation and demographic decline, while enhancing resilience, adaptation to climate-change, and risk mitigation. Nevertheless, its primary focus on service and infrastructure marginality overlooks broader socio-spatial indicators, particularly resources’ accessibility and use of different mobility modes, hindering its effectiveness. Within this framework, the paper discusses the potential contributions of the configurational approach to mapping territorial accessibility levels through its application to the Italian case. Specifically, it proposes and tests the use of a configuration-informed composite index for territorial imbalances’ mapping, the ‘S3NAI’. The proposal is rooted in a nationwide Space Syntax Angular Segment Analysis performed on primary-roads elements; whence the Normalised Angular Integration, at global and local metric radii, is employed to assess municipalities’ ease of access, accounting for transport network efficiency and connectivity from a human-centred perspective. This aims to move marginality assessments beyond issues of geographical distance and travel-time to include more clearly the social and economic perspective in them. On this basis, the adoption of the configurational approach in mapping marginalities is proposed to enrich and inform the development of national- and regional-level territorial cohesion strategies.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Date Type:	Submission
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Architecture
Funders:	This project has received funding from the United Kingdom Research and Innovation Post Doctoral Fellowship Guarantee Scheme, set over the European Union’s Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Post Doctoral Fellowships. UKRI Grant no. 101107846-, Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) in the frame of the project “B4R Branding4Resilience. Tourist infrastructure as a tool to enhance small villages by drawing resilient communities, “B4R Branding4Resilience. Tourist infrastructure as a tool to enhance small villages by drawing resilient communities and new open habitats” (PRIN 2017 Young Line, unique project code 201735N7HP).
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 May 2024
Date of Acceptance:	10 April 2024
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2024 11:37
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/168779

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item