Decision-Support Tools for Territorial Regeneration: A GIS-Based Multi-criteria Evaluation Utilizing the Territorial Capital Framework

Abstract

In recent years, the issue of territorial regeneration has become increasingly important, especially for fragile regions such as inner areas. However, frequently such interventions appear as isolated and sectoral proposals with specific details and outcomes, lacking an overarching vision for the territory. One approach to address this challenge can consist in the operationalization of the concept of “Territorial Capital”, which encompasses various dimensions crucial for sustainable development, including human, social, cognitive, infrastructural, productive, relational, environmental, and settlement capital. Territorial regeneration, in fact, requires an integrated approach that considers not only the physical and environmental aspects of a region but also its social, cultural, and economic dimensions. A comprehensive and systematic methodology is provided by the evaluation framework presented in this study, which is specifically designed to support policy development for fragile regions. This framework employs open data sources in a multi-criteria spatial assessment, generating a dashboard for real-time monitoring of the geographical distribution of various indicators of Territorial Capital. To showcase the potential applications and outcomes of the framework for territorial analysis and policy design, a case study focusing on the Island of Sardinia is presented. This research is significant in three ways: first, it conceptualizes the notion of territorial capital in terms of development capabilities; second, it employs a spatial evaluation model that accounts for potential interactions between territories; and third, it highlights the potential usefulness of the results for territorial analysis and policy design, with a particular emphasis on the role of technology in the process.