Historical centres as resources of development opportunity. Problems and improvements concearning the south of Italy

Just like other european countries, Italy is proud of its cities full of extraordinary architectural monuments. The economy of these “open air museums” is based on the development and the preservation of its heritage. Instead, in the south of Italy, improvements and developments of the heritage clash with the difficult economic and social reality which is linked to the vulnerability territory. The theme of “natural risk” assumes a fundamental role starting from the international government politics, to create safe environmental settlements, special attention should be paid to the most critical issues ….disaster prevention, cultural natural and historical heritage (United Nations, 1996). This paper will put in evidence the italian and international policy about natural risks regarding improvements and preservation heritage, starting from the Heritage@risk (ICOMOS, International Council of Monuments and Sites) to the Heritage risk paper (Italian Reconstruction Central Institute). A special examination will be given to a Calabria region where there are special problems related to social and economic conditions, and also natural distaster in particular earthquakes. Certainly in this region, heritage vulnerability is increased by reasons of natural risks, consequently integrated strategies that concern: degradation, unauthorized building, hazard, vulnerability assessment, were applied. These policies aims to improve: town planning, seismic risk mitigation, social and cultural aspects.