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Characteristics and effects of twin cities integration: The case of Reggio Calabria and Messina, ‘walled cities’ in Southern Italy

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  • Dario Musolino

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyse and discuss the case of the two urban areas located on the sides of the Strait of Messina, trying to explain this case as part of the wider international economic and territorial cutting‐edge literature on twin cities, and on the benefits deriving from their potential integration. It emerges that Reggio Calabria and Messina have a natural inclination to integrate, because of their complementary geographical, territorial, and economic structure. Therefore, potential benefits can arise from dismantling the ‘walls’ that still exist between them. Moreover, the analyses show that the existence of these ‘walls’ is not neutral: indeed, it probably contributes to weaken the economy and society of these areas, making them more and more marginal. Transport services are, of course, the key factor, which has the potential to change the destiny of these two areas. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar y discutir el caso de las dos áreas urbanas situadas a ambos lados del estrecho de Messina, con el propósito de explicar este caso como parte de la literatura internacional más innovadora sobre temas económicos y territoriales en general sobre ciudades hermanadas, y sobre los beneficios derivados de su posible integración. Se observa que Reggio Calabria y Messina tienen una disposición natural a integrarse, debido a su estructura complementaria de carácter geográfico, territorial y económico. Por lo tanto, el desmantelamiento de las "murallas" que aún existen entre ellas puede reportar beneficios potenciales. Además, los análisis muestran que la existencia de estas "murallas" no es neutra: de hecho, probablemente contribuyen a debilitar la economía y la sociedad de estas zonas, haciéndolas cada vez más marginales. Los servicios de transporte son, claro está, el factor clave que tiene el potencial de cambiar el destino de estas dos áreas. 本稿の目的は、双子都市および合併が実現した場合に得られるベネフィットに関する、より広い国際経済学および国際地域学の最先端の研究のひとつとして、メッシーナ海峡の両岸の2つの都市を例に、その分析と考察を行い、説明を試みることである。レッジョ・ディ・カラブリアとメッシーナは、地理的、地域的、経済的に相互補完する構造を成しており、合併の要素が自然に備わっている。そのため、両都市に今なお存在する「壁」を取り払うことでベネフィットが生じる可能性がある。さらに分析結果は、この「壁」の存在は双方に影響を及ぼしていないどころか、これら地域一帯の経済と社会を低迷させることに寄与しており、ほぼ間違いなくますます周辺化を進めていることを示している。言うまでもなく、交通サービスがキーファクターであり、この2つの地域の命運を変える力がある。

Suggested Citation

  • Dario Musolino, 2018. "Characteristics and effects of twin cities integration: The case of Reggio Calabria and Messina, ‘walled cities’ in Southern Italy," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(4), pages 315-334, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:rgscpp:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:315-334
    DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12128
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    Cited by:

    1. Dario Musolino & Alba Distaso & Claudio Marcianò, 2020. "The Role of Social Farming in the Socio-Economic Development of Highly Marginal Regions: An Investigation in Calabria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Amitrajeet A. Batabyal & Karima Kourtit & Peter Nijkamp, 2019. "Using local public goods to attract and retain the creative class: A tale of two cities," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(3), pages 571-581, August.
    3. Musolino Dario & Silvetti Alessia, 2020. "Are Mountain Areas Attractive for Investments? The Case of the Alpine Provinces in Italy," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 12(4), pages 469-493, December.

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