Sustainable human development: a new territorial and people-centred perspective

Abstract

Today, the global debate on development is at a crucial turning point. Discussions on post-2015 processes with the UN as well as on the reform of the EU Cohesion Policy, interact with a heterogeneous combination of diffused global instability and social unrest, long-standing recessions and extraordinary growth processes, together with increasing concentration of economic activity, wealth and power. Within this scenario, the authors stress the importance of dealing with economic competitiveness, social inclusion, environmental protection and poverty reduction at the local level, recognizing the interplay between the evolution of local development systems and the expansion of individual and collective capabilities. Blending Amartya Sen's people-centred and opportunity-oriented Capability Approach with the literature on place-based local development processes, this book helps understanding multidimensional paths of local change within a Sustainable Human Development perspective and analyzing what means are available to enable human flourishing.