The study was conducted by Giuseppe Varavallo and Filippo Barbera of the University of Turin and Collegio Carlo Alberto, together with Riccardo Di Clemente of Northeastern University London and ISI Foundation. It was funded by the University of Turin, with partial funding from the COLINE project and support from ISI Foundation.
Di Clemente explains in the article, the aim is not only to identify territorial fragilities, but to provide a practical tool for more targeted investment.
“Vogliamo fornire uno strumento che possa suggerire dove sia più utile investire per una scuola, un supermercato o un presidio sanitario.”
In other words, the study aims to indicate where investment in a school, supermarket, or local healthcare facility could be most useful.
Mapping essential services
The researchers analysed 372 peripheral municipalities in Piedmont, combining official statistics with 17,145 service locations geolocated through Google Maps.
The analysis covered services that make everyday life possible, including food retail, healthcare, education, transport, postal and banking services, energy, water, fuel distribution, waste management, and telecommunications.
Using these data, the researchers developed a Fundamental Economy Index and grouped municipalities according to whether they had relatively high, intermediate, or critically low levels of essential services.
The findings show that many municipalities lack basic facilities such as a food shop or a doctor. Residents may consequently need to travel around 20 kilometres to reach larger settlements.
The article also reports that marginal municipalities in Piedmont experienced an average population decline of 8% between 2014 and 2024, compared with 4.6% in central municipalities.
Supporting better investment decisions
The study goes beyond documenting territorial inequalities. By identifying where services are missing or difficult to access, the mapping can help authorities determine whether a particular area most urgently needs a school, healthcare facility, supermarket, transport connection, or another essential service. This is particularly relevant when resources are limited, and investments must be carefully targeted.
These questions are closely related to the work of DUT-COLINE, which examines how the distribution and accessibility of everyday services shape mobility, quality of life, and the long-term sustainability of communities.
The research also highlights the role of “multiservice hubs”. In some remote settlements, a single shop, café, or other local business may combine food retail, parcel collection, household supplies, or accommodation. Such businesses often function not only as service providers but also as meeting places and centres of community life.
However, local initiatives alone cannot indefinitely compensate for the absence of essential services and long-term underinvestment. By mapping these gaps, the study provides a practical basis for more targeted territorial policies and better-informed public and private investment.
Look for more information on the related website.