This book explores and substantiates the role of cultural heritage as an engine for local socio-economic development. Starting from the assumption that cultural heritage represents a valuable, unique and irreplaceable resource for European regions, it identifies and quantitatively analyzes tourism and territorial identity as two different channels through which cultural heritage can influence local socio-economic development.The book highlights the fact that cultural heritage not only has a positive influence on local cultures, societies and environments, but also plays a role in the process of local economic growth. Providing comprehensive empirical evidence that explains and discusses whether and how the endowment of cultural heritage benefits local socio-economic growth, it will appeal to scholars and students of cultural economics and regional science, and anyone interested in sustainable socio-economic development.

Autorentext
Elisa Panzera is a post-doc researcher at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) currently dealing with topics related to economics and culture. She is a teaching assistant for Urban and Regional Economics subjects and collaborates in various European research projects. Graduated in economics at Bocconi University, She holds a PhD in Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering obtained at Politecnico di Milano. Before starting the PhD program, she worked as a research analyst for international consultancy companies.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: The socio-economic impact of cultural heritage: setting the scene.- Part 1: From cultural heritage to local development: the role of tourism.- Chapter 2: Cultural heritage, tourism and economic development in the existing literature and beyond.- Chapter 3: From cultural heritage to economic development through tourism.- Part 2: From cultural heritage to local development: the role of territorial identity.- Chapter 4: A new framework for definitions and measures of territorial identity.- Chapter 5: The role of cultural heritage in shaping territorial identities.- Chapter 6: Cultural Heritage and Territorial Identity: the economic consequences of their synergies.