Abstract

This paper deals with the integration of the urban areas of Reggio Calabria and Messina, particularly focusing on the analysis of functional and sectoral interactions and complementarities as well as on the identification of the scenarios and policy strategies useful to implement such integration. In this paper a mixed methodology, based both on a quantitative analysis to measure interactions and complementarities, and on a qualitative study (using the Delphi method) to evaluate possible scenarios and strategies for boosting integration in the area, is carried out. Such investigations show that transport integration (i.e., ferry crossings and, more broadly, a unitary and coordinated management of the Strait’s transport system as a whole) is a crucial factor to start an integration process between the two urban areas, considerably complementary even now.