From Research to Territory
Follow the H-SMA-CE path through Southern Italy: a two-year journey of discovery, research, and collaboration for the circular economy transition in historical small towns.
The research teams from Messina and Naples met to define project objectives, methodologies, and work packages.
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Naples
Messina
Intensive working sessions focusing on the UNDERSTANDING phase (RQ1-RQ2) and RA1 Context Analysis, with international guest speakers on innovation management.
Explore this eventOur first immersive field mission: workshops at Palazzo Giusso followed by territorial exploration in Taurasi with stakeholder meetings and data collection.
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Taurasi
Messina
Progress review sessions presenting UNDERSTANDING and EVALUATING phase results, with international guest speakers from Polish universities.
Explore this eventMid-project workshop presenting RA2 and RA3 results. Direct engagement with Taurasi municipal administration to define the RA4 approach for DSS development.
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Taurasi
Naples
Presenting the Decision Support System prototype and research findings, followed by a roundtable on sustainable development strategies for Italian inner areas.
Explore this eventThe final event of the H-SMA-CE project, presenting outcomes on integrating circular economy models within historical small towns, featuring the official launch of the Decision Support System and the project website.
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Naples
Our journey concludes with a concrete outcome: a Decision Support System designed to guide historical small towns toward circular economy transition, tested and validated in the beautiful borgo of Taurasi.
Explore the DSSThe kick-off meeting marked the official beginning of the H-SMA-CE project. The research teams from the University of Messina (RU1) and the University of Naples "L'Orientale" (RU2) gathered at Palazzo Giusso for three intensive days of planning and coordination.
The intermediate meeting focused on topics related to the phase: a) UNDERSTANDING (RQ1 β RQ2) of the First Year period (1st Semester), specifically regarding RA 1) Context Analysis.
The fundamental objective was to identify operational actions with an in-depth analysis for the attribution of each of the four functional-operational dimensions. The UNIME Research Unit (RU1), also serving as the lead for the technological-innovative and environmental dimension, invited international guest speakers.
During the four days of work, the focus was on: evaluation of technological distribution, mapping of digital flows, data collection methods for small smart cities, identification of digital services, mapping of human-less processes, and related topics.
The meeting consisted of working groups, dissemination activities, and discussion sessions, from Monday to Thursday, 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:30 - 17:30.
A comprehensive three-day research mission bringing together the H-SMA-CE project team with local stakeholders and municipal representatives to advance the circular economy transition framework for Historical Small Towns.
The dissemination week meetings focused on topics related to the previous phases: a) UNDERSTANDING (RQ1 β RQ2) β Intermediates of EVALUATING (RQ3). The primary objective was to highlight the results achieved and the current status of the project.
The UNIME Research Unit (RU1), also serving as the lead for the technological-innovative and environmental dimension, invited Professor Katarzyna Szopik-DepczyΕska, PhD DSc, from the Department of Corporate Management, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, Poland, as an international guest speaker and expert in innovation management.
During the three days of work, the focus was on presenting the scientific results produced, with particular emphasis on the paper accepted on June 16, 2025:
Furthermore, the results presented in 2025 at FEMIB-PORTO, RIFORUM-BARCELONA, and DTS-PARIS were discussed.
The dissemination week meetings consisted of working groups, dissemination activities, and discussion sessions, from Tuesday to Thursday, 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:30 - 17:30.
Note: Light lunches and dinners were provided for speakers only.
Mid-project workshop designed to verify the progress status of the H-SMA-CE project, present results from Research Activities RA2 (Understanding-Evaluating) and RA3 (Evaluating), and define the approach for RA4 (Simulating). The mission included direct engagement with the Taurasi municipal administration and local stakeholders.
Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo, Prof.ssa Grazia CalabrΓ², Prof. Giuseppe Caristi, Prof.ssa Roberta Arbolino, Prof. Antonio Lopes, Dott.ssa Luisa De Simone, Dott.ssa Ilaria Russo, and representatives from Taurasi Municipality.
A key milestone of the H-SMA-CE journey: presenting the Decision Support System prototype and research findings on circular economy transition in Historical Small Towns.
Prof. Giuseppe Ioppolo, Prof.ssa Roberta Arbolino, Prof.ssa Grazia CalabrΓ² (online), Prof. Giuseppe Caristi (online), Prof. Antonio Lopes
The concluding event of the H-SMA-CE project presents the final outcomes of the research, focusing on the integration of circular economy models within historical small towns. The meeting features the official presentation of the Decision Support System (DSS) β a data-driven tool designed to optimize sustainable investments and governance for Italian Β«BorghiΒ» β as well as the official project website.
Palazzo Giusso, Room 4.17 β Largo San Giovanni Maggiore 30, Naples.
