Reading · Summer 2026 Reading from MIT
Small-Town Renaissance: Bridging Technology, Heritage, and Planning in Shrinking Italy
Edited by Brent D. Ryan, vice provost and professor of urban design and public policy in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning; Carmelo Ignaccolo PhD '24; and Giovanna Fossa
Springer Nature · 2025
This book explores the transformative power of digitization in rural regions, where technology isn't just a tool, but a lifeline for local culture, economic resilience, and future development. Born from a unique research collaboration between the MIT and Politecnico di Milano, this book brings together scholarly work on shrinking towns, economic development, and digital innovation. The project tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing rural Italy, from population decline to economic stagnation, through the lens of digital transformation.
From Summer 2026 recommended reading from MIT (MIT News).
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