Bio-districts: an evolution of SME industrial district model within agrifood sector in Italy

The aim of this thesis is that of investigating if the model of industrial district can support the development and implementation of circular phenomena and more sustainable processes in agrifood sector. This is done through the analysis of the bio-districts phenomenon that is taking place in Italy. Bio-districts can be seen as an evolution of the initial industrial district concept; they are defined by a specific geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourist operators, associations and public authorities enter into an agreement for the sustainable management of local resources, based on organic principles and practices, aiming at the fulfilment of the economic and sociocultural potential of the territory. In particular, the first part of this thesis will focus on the history of industrial districts and the historical reasons behind their emergence. It will also provide an analysis of the main characteristics and most widespread structures, as well as an introduction about the modern district pattern and factors that are forcing businesses to rethink the way they operate. Among them, environmental crisis plays the most central role. The growing emphasis on environment led to greater awareness of the need of more sustainable food production and consumption, which in turn led to the birth of organic productions in agrifood sector and bio-districts as a mean to boost it. Lastly, the second part is intended to assess the ability of bio-districts to improve the quality of life in rural communities, or to pursue local development along the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic, social), and to assess whether and how the biodistrict model is able to favour more effective forms of governance with respect to single organic farms. To date, there 35 bio-districts in Italy and other 9 are in process of being formed. An explanation about their main phases of the establishment process and different actors will be developed in the paper, together with the presentation of some statistical data on organic productions in the last few years. Furthermore, it will emerge that, because of their nature, territorial bio-districts are a place of experimentation and innovation, of methods and processes; and also ideal places to test simplified and more effective certification systems aimed at boost the organic production.