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Food for Thoughts: The District Approach to Rural Areas Development—A Case Study in Campania

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  • Giorgia Iovino

    (Department of Political and Communication Sciences (PoliCom), University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Eleonora Guadagno

    (Department of Human and Social Science, University “L’Orientale”, 80134 Naples, Italy)

  • Daniele Bagnoli

    (Department of Humanities, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

Abstract

The district approach has become increasingly important for the analysis and planning of local agro-food systems. In this paper, we analyse the role and potential of Italian food districts, spaces of governance where a plurality of actors share practices and knowledge and jointly elaborate local development strategies. After a first section aimed at illustrating the theoretical background and the regulatory framework, we examine the food districts of Benevento, an inland Province of the Campania Region, in order to: (i) reconstruct the characteristics, actors and strategies of these local food systems and critically discuss the criteria used for their creation and spatialisation; (ii) investigate the contribution that districts can make to the goals of social cohesion and sustainability. As for the methods, we use a mixed approach that integrates documentary analysis and geostatistical information with a qualitative survey (based on semi-structured interviews and questionnaires) to explore the governance model adopted and the degree of participation and interest generated among stakeholders. We conclude that the district approach can, under certain conditions, be a key tool for territorial enhancement, especially for those internal areas marked by depopulation and economic decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgia Iovino & Eleonora Guadagno & Daniele Bagnoli, 2023. "Food for Thoughts: The District Approach to Rural Areas Development—A Case Study in Campania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16263-:d:1286910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Becattini , Giacomo, 2015. "Beyond geo-sectoriality: the productive chorality of places," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 32, pages 31-41.
    2. H. E. Conklin & W. R. Bryant, 1974. "Agricultural Districts: A Compromise Approach to Agricultural Preservation," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 56(3), pages 607-613.
    3. Coppola, Gianluigi & Mazzotta, Fernanda, 2005. "I sistemi locali del Lavoro in Italia: Aspetti teorici ed empirici," MPRA Paper 13173, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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