UNA VALUTAZIONE DELLA STRUTTURA POLICENTRICA DELL’INSEDIAMENTO NELLA REGIONE BASILICATA

The theme of the settlement systems assessment through polycentric models represents an approach to traditional territorial analysis that is actually not used in contemporary plans and programs oriented to organize the public investment in territorial development. This research updates the evaluation of Basilicata Region’s polycentric systems based on information related to the distribution of services and public facilities integrated with the traditional socio-economic variables provided by the latest data censorship. The in- terpretation highlights different levels of centrality and critical internal areas in which the theme of local development takes on a critical importance that in our interpretation comes. The study is based on several variables including: the demographic structure, the infrastructural endowment and the organizational models that condition territorial accessibility. Concerning adopted techniques: PCA and spatial density estimations has been adopted. Three levels of polycentric hierarchy have been identified in Basilicata. Those describe the urban centers structure with the highest population density in which the concentration values of services and equipment are meant. The results are the basis for re-thinking of regional programs and policies according to an effective “place based” approach.