Strengthening Local Networks Under the Rain of Post-Pandemic Projects in Italy. The Case of Central Lazio, Between the Tyrrhenian Coast, Rome and the Apennines

The combined effects of the global economic crisis, climate change, and the Covid-19 pandemic have underscored the urgent need to address spatial inequalities. NextGenerationEU, materialised in Italy through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), stands as a pivotal strategy to tackle this challenge by providing unprecedented resources across all political and administrative levels. Yet, questions arise about the sustainability and equity of local regeneration efforts funded by the PNRR. In this scenario, the research project of national interest (PRIN), Reframing Spatial Justice. A Co-Operative Approach for a Fair Distribution of Benefits From PNRR Projects, explores the spatial-justice impact of the PNRR implementation. Examining justice from a critical spatial perspective, the research assesses whether PNRR interventions reduce regional, urban–rural, and local disparities in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights. Focusing on the Lazio region, the research adopts a collaborative approach to develop balanced spatial strategies for equitable growth. This paper presents initial findings, mapping emerging regional geographies and examining spatial dynamics within selected projects. By creating “living labs”—spaces for stakeholders and users to collaborate—the project will seek to strengthen local networks, ensuring that PNRR initiatives are integrated into and benefit their communities.