Piero Bonavero

Abstract

The paper summarizes the main findings from an empirical analysis of theinternational integration of the Italian urban system in the European context. The nationwidedistribution of the international functions is examined; the international profile of the citiesforming the metropolitan level of the Italian urban system is then defined, and a taxonomy ofthe cities of non-metropolitan level is provided. From this, the co-existence of two differentpatterns of European integration through the international functions within the Italian urbansystem emerge, reflecting respectively the "interconnected networks" model and the "hierarchicalnetworks" model.

Keywords: urban internationalisation, Italian urban system, European integration

Piero Bonavero, Dipartimento Interateneo Territorio, Politecnico e Université di Torino Piazza Arbarello, 8, 10122 Torino, Italy