This poster reports about a PhD project aimed at examining regional inequalities through the lens of a geo-historical approach to borders. Through the analytical framework here presented and a visual representation provided through GIS-based cartographies, I plan to examine the issue of regional inequalities in Italy by discussing the need for a revision of the political-administrative framework of the country.
The role of borders is widely debated in geographical studies, considering them as an element that is not fixed nor unchangeable. As exemplified by several studies, this focus on borders does not concern only national borders, but it is relevant also when discussing internal ones and the administrative framework of a country (Ozouf-Marignier 1988; Gambi, Merloni, 1995; Galluccio, Sturani 2008; Rivière 2012). Notably, these studies have proved several times how processual attention to the administrative framework (Galluccio, Sturani 2008) can improve territorial politics, opposing rational thinking of space without reference for the social, historical and political dynamics occurring on the territory. Also, It is of particular relevance to these topics Paasi's research on regional institutionalization (Paasi 1986).
Considering these studies, I am investigating how this type of processual attention can be applied when examining regional inequalities in Italy. Southern Italy has been historically underdeveloped compared to northern areas. While some regions have been exhaustively studied through this analytical framework, others, such as Calabria, have not received the same attention.
In my project, I intend to review the current debate on these themes and focus on those areas that have not received a detailed analysis. Furthermore, I plan on showing a sample of geohistorical cartographies displaying the main changes that occurred in the administrative framework.
Mots clés : Regional development|Administrative Framework| Southern Italy|Less developed regions|Geohistorical approach
A104747RM