ABSTRACT
In the transition from the industrial economy to the knowledge economy, cities, territories and regions are adopting new strategies to be more and more competitive on the global market, and therefore, to better attract new capitals, investments, activities, new residents and tourists. These strategies are characterised by different components, both ‘material’ (landscapes, infrastructures, public buildings, architectures, and so on) and ‘immaterial’ (identity, music, traditions, symbols, knowledge, creativity). The perceived weight of the latter components is increasing. The different combinations of all these components determine the specific attractiveness-capacity of an area, which depends on the complex of values in a space, reflecting first, though not only, its accessibility, the density of existing infrastructures, and the number and quality of services.
