Abstract
In this paper, we study the cultural geography of the Veneto Region on the basis of a pseudo-diffusion approach to the analysis of the inherent semantic spatial data. We find somewhat surprising results, and, in particular, that Venice, indisputably the Region’s cultural hub in terms of concentration of activities and facilities, global visibility and attraction of resources, plays a marginal role in determining the momentum of cultural initiative at the regional level as of 2007 data. The areas with the greater momentum are relatively marginal ones but characterized by a strong presence of design-oriented companies that are actively engaging in culture-driven innovation in a context of gradually horizontally-integrated clusters. Our findings call for a revision of the traditional policy approaches that identify centralities in terms of concentration of activities and facilities based on past dynamics, and to design policies accordingly. We argue in favour of a more forward-looking, evidence-based approach.
Highlights
Beyond the Common Sense of Cultural Policy-MakingThere is an increasing awareness that culture can be a powerful lever of local development in terms of urban regeneration processes (Miles and Paddison, 2005 [1]), of economic value added (Andres and Chapain, 2013 [2]), and of comparative advantage driven agglomeration (Mommaas, 2004 [3]; Stern and Seifert, 2010 [4]), among others
The related literature is expanding at accelerated rates and appeals to a highly diverse range of experts, from scholarly journals such as the Journal of Cultural Geography, to thematic issues in less specialized journals such as the Journal of Economic Geography (8:5, September 2008) to name but one, while the global sensation generated by cleverly told success stories (e.g., The Economist, 2013 [5]) has made culture-led development a very interesting matter for geography, economics, urban studies and regional science scholars and for ambitious local administrators (Ponzini and Rossi, 2010 [6])
Venice’s special situation fit into the wider territorial organization of the cultural system of production of the Veneto Region? What are the consequences in terms of the Region’s overall innovation momentum and competitive advantage profile? In this paper, we develop a methodology and tools that allow us to dig into the deep layers of the regional geography of cultural production and to explore their relationships with medium/long-term local developmental trajectories, providing useful insights for territorial policy issues related to innovation and competitive advantage
Summary
There is an increasing awareness that culture can be a powerful lever of local development in terms of urban regeneration processes (Miles and Paddison, 2005 [1]), of economic value added (Andres and Chapain, 2013 [2]), and of comparative advantage driven agglomeration (Mommaas, 2004 [3]; Stern and Seifert, 2010 [4]), among others. The related literature is expanding at accelerated rates and appeals to a highly diverse range of experts, from scholarly journals such as the Journal of Cultural Geography, to thematic issues in less specialized journals such as the Journal of Economic Geography (8:5, September 2008) to name but one, while the global sensation generated by cleverly told success stories (e.g., The Economist, 2013 [5]) has made culture-led development a very interesting matter for geography, economics, urban studies and regional science scholars and for ambitious local administrators (Ponzini and Rossi, 2010 [6]). We develop a methodology and tools that allow us to dig into the deep layers of the regional geography of cultural production and to explore their relationships with medium/long-term local developmental trajectories, providing useful insights for territorial policy issues related to innovation and competitive advantage.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
