Marginality: From theory to practices

The essay tackles the concept of regional marginality, by presenting the main open fields of discussion regarding: the criteria by which to identify the marginal regions, how to measure marginality and the nature of the dynamics between center and periphery. Focusing on these three aspects, the paper concentrates on the relation between theories and consequent practices. Indeed, it is demonstrated how starting from different ideas it is possible to arrive at completely different hypothesis of actions. The paper aims at providing a critical reading about answers given to these complex questions. What makes a region marginal in respect to another? How to measure and represent this phenomenon? Can the unbalanced relationship between core and periphery change in time? If yes, should public policies try to rebalance such relationship? In which way? In the conclusion, an approach to face the issue of marginality is proposed, in the form of “line-based projects”, in opposition to the traditional “point-based projects”.