Rome and its economic creativity: the emerging knowledge neighbourhood of Pietralata

Purpose : 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. After the decline of the industrial sectors it will be necessary to regenerate and to reconvert these dismissed spaces and marginalized quarters in order to define a new urban identity which organizes the urban space in terms of systemic and inclusive approaches. Design/methodology/approach - We propose an approach based on the study of new creative and cultural quarters in Rome focuses on the main factors of a city's regeneration, according to the culture led-regeneration model. This study employs an interdisciplinary systemic approach that involves geographical and spatial prospective in order to understand the complexity of the urban phenomenon and its multiple dimensions. This research uses a number of different explorative methods which include 16 semi-structured interviews and an analysis of documentary sources. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with managers (artistic and operative directors), workers and local authorities involved in the governance of the areas ( public bodies and industry representatives). Originality/value - This methodology puts in evidence the geographic systemic approach and the qualitative methods in order to analyze the role and the actions of local stockholders for achieving a future strategic planning of the East Side of Rome, suggesting new urban practices for local renewal strategies and implementing a synergic networks between different social and urban players. The first part analyzes the nature and the creative dimension of Rome and assesses its role in enhancing creative and cultural identity. The second part examines the relationship between the cultural-creative spheres, systems of knowledge economy and local economies in the neighborhood of Pietralata. The third part focuses on the main elements of territorial and cultural development in the industrial zone of Lanificio Luciani 159, and the role of local actors in their respective contexts. Practical implications - The outcomes of the application encourage the debate for policy makers and local administrations to establish a new policy for implementing an integrated strategic-cultural repositioning of the city, according to a multidimensional and multilayer approach, concerning the new urban and spatial Plan of Pietralata (PRINT) elaborated by the Roman Government last weeks.