New strategies for the enhancement and promotion of local identity in coastal areas. The case of the Sorrento peninsula

The paper proposes to consider the port areas as strategic nodes for the valorisation of the territory. In these areas the reuse of buildings represents the opportunity to integrate new economic and cultural activities for tourist promotion and enhancement of local resources. The localisation of new cultural, recreational and promotional activities can also increase territorial competitiveness and attractiveness and employment rate, related to functional mix and economic activities. In many contemporary cities, recent rehabilitation processes carried out this strategy, including the reuse of existing buildings in the ports by new activities especially connected with the maritime tradition of the city. The proposal aims to verify the opportunity to build a strategy based on valorisation and management of excellent coastal areas characterized by a network of small ports in small cities. The Sorrento Peninsula (Italy) represents an emblematic case study in order to enhance the role of port areas for the promotion of natural, cultural and historical resources in a systemic vision of the territory. The reuse of existing buildings for tourism promotion together with the rehabilitation of the pedestrian paths system can contribute to realize a network that – starting from port areas – improves accessibility and usability.