From the Metropolitan Areas to the Post-metropolitan Dimension

Abstract

This chapter introduces a description of the two main areas that will be discussed throughout the book: the metropolitan region of Palermo and South-Eastern Sicily. The chapter starts with a socio-economic analysis describing the characteristics of demography, employment and income in these two parts of Sicily, by comparing them to the situation of other areas in Italy. A spatial analysis of housing and land use complements the socio-economic outlook. Each section describes the most consolidated trends in these areas, but also discusses the most innovative changes and the challenges Sicily has been facing over the years.