The role of local community in the repositioning process of Taranto as a sustainable tourist destination

The Apulian city of Taranto is known worldwide as a symbol of industrial pollution due to the presence of Europe’s largest steel plant. The plant is the subject of legal battles, and citizens protest because of its pollution and the consequent increase in numerous diseases. In recent years, local policymakers have been pursuing the city image repositioning through the reconversion of productive and entrepreneurial activities towards nature-based tourism development. The core of this strategy is the establishment of a Marine Protected Area, which the Environment Ministry is now examining. Subsequently, the City Council and Apulia Region will discuss their strategies, which seem to be converging to preserve fragile and valuable natural areas and give Taranto a new image as a sustainable tourist destination. This is the beginning of an urban renovation towards a new image, in close continuity with an economic reconversion, to achieve the dual aim of protecting the environment and pursuing sustainable economic diversification. All revolves around the idea of developing sustainable tourism, rediscovering shellfish farming, and exploiting the sea, which is home to various protected species, particularly cetaceans. However, this process must consider the multiple interests that need to be brought together, including the Military Navy, the fishing industry, other economic activities, and, above all, those of the local community. According to the literature, residents’ involvement is necessary to define effective governance models in most cases. This chapter aims to focus on the role of the various stakeholders in the urban renovation and repositioning process. The qualitative research is carried out through in-depth interviews with different categories of stakeholders to investigate how the growth of social capital can foster the sustainable development of a destination through nature-based tourism.