This study explores territorial fragility across Italy’s provinces using a multidimensional framework that integrates social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural indicators. The aim is to identify at-risk areas and uncover spatial patterns of fragility that are not necessarily aligned with the conventional North–South divide. To capture the complexity of fragility, we applied the Totally Fuzzy and Relative (TFR) method, which synthesizes multiple dimensions into a single, interpretable index. Each province received a fuzzy value ranging from 0 to 1, with lower values denoting higher fragility. The method also provides indicator-specific weights, emphasizing the relative influence of each variable on overall fragility. Subsequently, the DBSCAN clustering algorithm was employed to identify spatial groupings of provinces with similar fragility profiles. This density-based approach detects clusters of arbitrary shape without requiring the number of groups to be specified in advance and distinguishes meaningful patterns from statistical noise. Findings reveal a heterogeneous distribution of fragility, with clusters of high-risk areas emerging not only in southern regions, but also in parts of central and northern Italy. These results challenge macro-regional assumptions and highlight the need for place-based policies tailored to local conditions. The integrated methodology proposed provides a robust tool for territorial planning, supporting more targeted and equitable interventions. By combining multidimensional assessment with spatial clustering, the approach offers a novel lens for understanding the geography of fragility and guiding context-sensitive decision-making.
University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-1700-3377
University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0001-7343-5900
University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0001-9652-5423
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-9785-0436
Marche Polytechnic University, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0001-8599-7994
ISTAT, Italian National Institute of Statistics, Italy
Titolo del capitolo
Territorial fragility in Italy: A multidimensional analysis
Autori
Samuela L'Abbate, Paola Perchinunno, Antonella Massari, Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo, Francesco Rotondo, Lucia Mongelli
Lingua
Inglese
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1.43
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Titolo del libro
Data, Statistics and AI for Well-Being of People and Organisations
Curatori
Luigi Fabbris, Alberto Franci, Pietro Renzi
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Numero di pagine
420
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Editore
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1
ISBN Print
979-12-215-1061-4
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-1062-1
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-1063-8
Collana
Applied Statistics Series