Structural change and agency in territorial development: the case of mature industrial districts

This paper focuses on combinations of structural and agency conditions in mature industrial districts that face contemporary challenges potentially disrupting their traditional paths. These districts need to adopt new forms and paths of territorial development. Specifically, we aim to enhance the comprehension of combinations that either support or hinder rerouting to new forms and paths. We propose a conceptual framework of structural change, inner heterogeneity and agency that builds on related streams of regional and territorial development studies. We apply it to a contemporary Italian industrial district. Finally, some suggestions regarding the strategic actors involved in good territorial governance emerge.