Pianificazione regionale cooperativa: i nodi dell’approccio italiano alle macro-regioni - Cooperative regional planning: the Italian approach to Macro-regional issues

The paper focuses on the process of collaborative governance affecting the development of the Padano-Alpine-Maritime Macro Region in Northern Italy and on its potential of exploitation in the wider European panorama of territorial cooperation practices. The authors propose a critical reflection on the concept of macro region applied to this experience and on its consequences in terms of multilevel governance and strengthen of competitiveness. In order to achieve better coordination in dealing with spatial development across Italian regions, the current focus on cognitive territorial dynamics in the Northern Italy area might not be the right solution to the current situation, if not supported by a reflection on territorial governance and organizational structures.