Abstract

A recent proposal by the Italian Government (subsequently withdrawn, due to a general mobilization) to locate a nationwide radioactive waste dump in Scansano Jonico (Basilicata, South of Italy) contributes to shed light on the weakness of the Italian decision making system in the areas of territorial planning and participated democracy. Technical feasibility studies supposed to justify the dump location choice have totally neglected the environmental, social, cultural and economic features of the place and its development process.100,000 people from the region, who marched probably for the first time to defend their land, have witnessed their deep ties with their culture, their nature, their historical roots.