Cultural Districts, A New Strategy for Regional Development? The South-East Cultural District in Sicily

摘要

The industrialization of cultural production and a strong trend for the development of regional networks have recently led to the creation of new spatial and economic forms called 'cultural districts'. However, these new economic systems rely on very different geographical bases, types of products, and developmental processes. In Italy, the first cultural district was created in 2004 to foster the preservation of cultural heritage and boost tourist development in the late Baroque cities of the so-called Val di Noto in south-east Sicily. The main objective of the district is to support local socio-economic development through the promotion of the region's architectural cultural heritage and the local craft industry. The new structure aims at creating a real network between these towns so that they can compete globally. A specific form of spatial organization, the newly created South-East Cultural District, is based on cultural and architectural similarities, but is confronted with major obstacles such as economic heterogeneity, a lack of innovation, and physical distance between the towns. Such obstacles will have to be overcome if success is expected in creating synergies and in integrating other economic sectors.