Navigando la governance attraverso i confini: il ruolo delle vie di pellegrinaggio transnazionali nei processi di governance territoriale

This PhD research examines the territorial governance processes enabled by transnational pilgrimage routes. These ancient paths, now revitalised with contemporary objectives such as cultural tourism, health and wellbeing, and slow mobility, offer significant potential to stimulate local development, particularly in rural areas facing economic and demographic challenges. The primary aim of the study is to explore how pilgrimage routes contribute to the implementation of territorial governance across various geographical scales. This is achieved by employing multiple dimensions of territorial governance as interpretative devices, including multi-stakeholder coordination, policy sector integration, and transcalar cooperation dynamics, to address territorial challenges and opportunities. Conducted within the framework of the EU-funded project rurAllure (a coordination and support action funded under the call H2020-SC6-TRANSFORMATIONS-2020) the research involves six historic pilgrimage routes: The St. James Ways, Via Francigena, Via Romea Germanica, Romea Strata, St. Olav Ways, and Mary’s Way. Organised as a collection of papers, including a policy brief and six academic articles, this thesis employs a multi-method, qualitative case study approach. Each article illustrates how the study of pilgrimage routes intersects with the various dimensions of territorial governance at interconnected geographical scales: European, national, regional, local, and organisational levels. Findings from these studies underscore the importance of effective coordination and alignment across policy sectors, governance levels, and diverse stakeholders for pilgrimage routes to serve as catalysts for rural development. Addressing these challenges requires a transcalar governance approach that transcends administrative boundaries to enable cross-scale collaboration. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of transnational pilgrimage routes as tools of territorial governance, advancing scholarship on their role in rural development and cross-border cooperation, while expanding the application of territorial governance within the discipline of geography.