This edited volume presents an innovative approach to the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable development, focusing on geographic factors and spatial economic analysis. Focusing on Italian case studies, the book unpacks various opportunities and challenges and explores how promoting and defending cultural heritage at the regional and national levels can in turn foster sustainable development.

Chapters consider both tangible and intangible aspects of the cultural supply, such as museums and festivals, and investigates specific issues relevant to sustainability, from the role of networks on museums’ performance in remote areas to the effects of climate change on heritage sites. The book also pays special attention to the role of tourism, the various factors that impact tourist numbers, as well as how negative impacts can be mitigated. Several chapters focus on social capital and the importance of civic engagement and belonging in encouraging sustainable economic growth. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in a range of fields, including cultural economics, regional economics, economic geography, heritage studies and those working on sustainability more broadly.

Silvia Cerisola is Associate Professor of Regional and Urban Economics at Politecnico di Milano. Her main research interest is in the impact of cultural heritage and creativity on regional and local economic development. She was awarded the 2018 Giorgio Leonardi Best PhD Thesis Award by the Italian Regional Science Association (AISRe) and the 2021 William Alonso Memorial Prize for Innovative Work in Regional Science by the North American Regional Science Council (NARSC).

Elisa Panzera is Assistant Professor of Regional and Urban Economics at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Her main research interests are in the field of economics of culture, economics of innovation and regional studies. She currently collaborates in EU funded projects as well as teaching assistant activities for Urban and Regional Economics courses.