Creative industries and knowledge economy development in Rome: the example of Pietralata District

Abstract

This research aims at clarifying the development of creative cluster embedded in an emerging cultural neighbourhood in Rome. This study intends to consider the east quarter of Rome called ‘Pietralata’ as new cultural centrality located in ex-industrial areas and it demonstrates how the cultural regeneration as well as urban planning are two fundamental dimensions for re-structuring Roman metropolitan area. This study intends to consider the quarter of ‘Pietralata’ as new cultural centrality located in ex-industrial area and it demonstrates how the cultural regeneration as well as urban planning are two fundamental dimensions for re-structuring Roman metropolitan area. It is important to highlight how the East Roman area is leading to establish a new functionality in terms of socio-economic, creative and territorial development. It attempts to underline how the dynamics of economic and urban renewal, based on the culture-led regeneration model, concretely changes formally industrial spaces like the creative pole of ‘Lanificio 159’. It also encourages the debate for policy makers to establish a new framework for implementing an integrated strategic-cultural repositioning of the city.