Building Sustainability in the Relationship with the Territory. The Cammino del Duca (the Duke’s Way) of the University of Urbino

Nico Bazzoli; Eduardo Barberis; Elisa Lello; Jonathan Pierini; Elena Viganò

doi:10.6092/issn.3034-8544/16893

Authors

Nico Bazzoli University of Urbino Carlo Bo

Nico Bazzoli holds a PhD in Sociology and teaches Economic-Political Geography at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo. His research interests mainly concern socio-spatial transformations, inequalities, youth conditions, and policy planning.
Eduardo Barberis University of Urbino Carlo Bo

Eduardo Barberis is Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Urbino (Italy), where he lectures on Sociology of Space and Methodology of Social Research. His research interests mainly focus on the spatial dimension of social welfare, with specific attention on street-level bureaucracy, migration issues, and small towns - issues covered in national and international project he coordinates (e.g. the AMIF Project "PISTE"). Among his recent publications: Handbook on Urban Social Policies (2022, coedited with Y. Kazepov, R. Cucca, E. Mocca).
Elisa Lello University of Urbino Carlo Bo

Elisa Lello is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at the University of Urbino (Italy), where she lectures on Sociology of Politics and Methodology and Techniques of Social Research. She is currently a visiting researcher at the Centro de Estudos Sociais of the University of Coimbra (Portugal). Her research interests mainly focus on the younger generations’ approach to politics, the relationship between territorial inequalities and populism, and on mobilizations related to environmental conflicts and health/science issues. Her works have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Rural Sociology, Rassegna Italiana di Sociologia, Modern Italy, Partecipazione e Conflitto, Polis, Sociologia urbana e rurale.
Jonathan Pierini ISIA Urbino

Jonathan Pierini is a type designer and graphic designer. He obtained a bachelor's degree at ISIA Urbino and a master's degree in Type & Media at KABK, in the Netherlands. In London, he worked at Dalton Maag Ltd and from 2011 to 2017 he was a researcher and adjunct professor at the Faculty of Design and Art of the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano. He has been director of ISIA Urbino since September 2017. At ISIA he is professor of History of the Book, Typography and Graphic Design. He is co-director of the magazine Progetto Grafico, published by AIAP.
Elena Viganò University of Urbino Carlo Bo

Elena Viganò holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Policy (University of Naples "Federico II"). Actually, she is Full Professor in Economy and rural appraisal and, since November 2020, Pro-rector for Sustainability and the enhancement of differences of the University of Urbino. Her current research interests include the analysis of strategies and politics for the sustainability of the agri-food system, with specific topics regarding environmental impacts of agricultural production, agriculture multifunctionality and sustainable tourism, quality and food safety, organic farming, ethical and fair trade.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.3034-8544/16893

Keywords:

Sustainability, Cammino (Way), Territory, University, Slow Tourism, Walking

Abstract

In the last few decades, universities have experienced a growing integration with their local contexts, playing a fundamental role in urban and regional development processes. In such a context, new forms of convergence between the different missions of universities have also emerged in Italy, aimed at developing and co-creating sustainability in different dimensions through the involvement of local stakeholders. This article aims to highlight the driving role that universities can play in promoting sustainable local economies, moving from the example of the Cammino del Duca [Duke’s Way] – an itinerary defined and promoted by the University of Urbino Carlo Bo in collaboration with the local sections of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), namely Montefeltro and Gubbio. In particular, this paper pays attention to the organizational process of the Cammino, highlighting its innovative aspects and unresolved critical issues to stimulate a reflection on opportunities and constraints affecting the sustainability policies of universities in interaction with local communities.