Building Resilience: An Art–Food Hub to Connect Local Communities

Giovanni Quaranta, Cristina Dalia, Luca Salvati and Rosanna Salvia
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Giovanni Quaranta: Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics, University of Basilicata, I-85100 Potenza, Italy
Cristina Dalia: Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics, University of Basilicata, I-85100 Potenza, Italy
Luca Salvati: Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Viale S. Margherita 80, I-52100 Arezzo, Italy
Rosanna Salvia: Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics, University of Basilicata, I-85100 Potenza, Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-15

Abstract: Resilience thinking is an appropriate framework when assessing the transitional potential of complex urban systems. The transformation of abandoned spaces into local hubs attracting new and innovative activities and events promotes a socioeconomic renaissance in urban communities, by stimulating adaptation to change, enhancing local resilience and strengthening urban–rural links. Under the conceptual umbrella of resilience thinking, the present study illustrates the outcomes of an integrated program of research-action aimed at urban regeneration in a medium-sized, economically disadvantaged city in Southern Italy (Battipaglia, Campania). The transformation of an abandoned building into an ‘Art–Food Hub’—a multi-purpose and creative cultural space—based on resilience thinking was the specific case analyzed in our study. Appropriate stakeholders were identified and involved in a series of field activities and workshops, with the final objective of informing a comprehensive strategy strengthening awareness to change and capacity building. More specifically, stakeholder involvement was carried out with two aims: first, to make stakeholders active participants in co-designing a Strategic Urban Planning Document for Battipaglia and, second, to evaluate to what extent the proposed initiative contributes to building local resilience. By explicitly considering cross-scale drivers of community resilience, the results of this study show how the concept of resilience can be practically applied to policy formulation and implementation.

Keywords: resilience; food; rural development; food/arts nexus; urban–rural linkages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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