The Role of Small and Medium-sized Cities in the Economy 3.0. Evidence from the Italian Case

Journal title SCIENZE REGIONALI
Author/s Fabiano Compagnucci, Augusto Cusinato
Publishing Year 2016 Issue 2016/2
Language Italian Pages 30 P. 61-90 File size 694 KB
DOI 10.3280/SCRE2016-002004
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The paper investigates the role that small and medium-sized cities (smcs) can play in the knowledge economy and, specifically, in the creativity-led economy. After defining the distinctive features of this pattern of development, the paper identifies the relevant agglomeration economies, focusing on the urban ones. The investigation leads to formulation of a set of hypotheses concerning the location rationales of the activities typical of the creativity-led economy, as well as the possible role of smcs. The hypotheses are tested with reference to the Italian case. The results show that smcs can play even a structuring role, provided that they are located in industrialized regional contexts.

Keywords: Creativity-led economy; agglomeration economies; small and medium-sized cities

Jel codes: O14, O18, O30

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Fabiano Compagnucci, Augusto Cusinato, Il ruolo delle piccole e medie città nell’economia 3.0. Evidenze dal caso italiano in "SCIENZE REGIONALI " 2/2016, pp 61-90, DOI: 10.3280/SCRE2016-002004