H-SMA-CE
A Decision Support System for Sustainable Circular Economy Transition in Italian Historical Small Towns
2022JZLL7J
€250,000
2023-2026
UniMe J53D23009390006
UniOr C53D23004860006
Circular Economy for Historical Small Towns
The H-SMA-CE project (PRIN 2022, funded by MUR and NextGenerationEU) develops a Circular Economy (CE) model specifically designed for Italian historical small towns, known as borghi. The main objective is to design a Decision Support System (DSS) enabling local policymakers to plan and simulate the circular transition of their territory.
The research is structured around three macro-phases: Understanding (RA1 + RA2), consisting of empirical investigation of the Taurasi case study through Material Flow Analysis, stakeholder mapping, SWOT analysis, and systematic literature review; Evaluating (RA3), involving the construction of composite circularity indexes and multi-objective optimization applied to waste, energy, water, agriculture, and building heritage flows; Simulating (RA4), developing a spreadsheet-based DSS directly usable by policymakers.
The project adopts an interdisciplinary approach integrating management engineering, territorial economics, environmental analysis, and social sciences, aiming to bridge the gap between academic research on circular economy and its practical application in minor urban contexts.
Taurasi: a Medieval Hill Town in Irpinia
The case study focuses on Taurasi, a medieval hill town located at 398 m a.s.l. in Irpinia (Campania, province of Avellino). The historic centre is dominated by the Castello Marchionale, a Lombard-era fortress that bears witness to centuries of historical layering. Taurasi is internationally renowned for its DOCG wine, the first from Campania, awarded in 1993, produced from Aglianico grapes by 17 active wineries. The production regulations require a minimum aging of 36 months, yielding notes of black cherry and licorice. Alongside viticulture, olive cultivation (Ravece variety) completes the agrarian landscape. The town hosts an annual Wine Fair and Film Festival, events that fuel a wine culture-centred framework for sustainable development.
Taurasi, medieval hill town in Irpinia (Campania)
The Four Research Activities
Context Analysis
Empirical investigation of the Taurasi territory: primary and secondary data collection, Material Flow Analysis (MFA), stakeholder mapping, and SWOT analysis. Building the knowledge base for the circular transition.
Systematic Review & Framework
Systematic literature review on circular economy in historical small towns. Definition of a conceptual framework and identification of international best practices applicable to borghi.
Circularity Indexes & Optimization
Development of composite circularity indexes and multi-objective optimization models. Integrated analysis of waste, energy, water, agriculture, and historic building heritage flows.
Decision Support System
Design and implementation of a spreadsheet-based DSS for local policymakers. Simulation of circular transition scenarios with performance indicators and trade-off analysis.
Three Pillars of Circular Transition
The project strategy rests on three complementary pillars, each addressing a key dimension of the circular economy transition in historical small towns.
Territory & Protected Heritage
Analysis and enhancement of historical-architectural heritage and agrarian landscape, with special attention to the conservation of borghi and traditional production chains as drivers for circularity.
Circularity Indexes & Optimization
Construction of composite indicators measuring the territorial circularity level and multi-objective optimization models to balance environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
DSS for Policymakers
An operational spreadsheet-based tool enabling policymakers to simulate scenarios, evaluate trade-offs, and plan circular economy interventions tailored to the specific reality of each borgo.
€250K
Funding
2
Research Units
8
Researchers
9
Publications
Publications
A Decision Support System for Sustainable Circular Economy Transition in Italian Historical Small Towns: The H-SMA-CE Project
Ioppolo G., Calabrò G., Caristi G., Ciliberto C., Russo I., De Simone L., Lopes A., Arbolino R.
The Circular Economy Transition Within Historical Small Town: Preliminary Results
Ioppolo G., Caristi G., D'Alessandro C., Calabrò G., Szopik-Depczyńska K.
Smart Transition in Historical Small Towns: First Insights from a Digital Material Flow Assessment in the Italian Case Study of Taurasi
Ciliberto C., Calabrò G., Caristi G., Ioppolo G.
Unveiling Taurasi's Hidden Potential: A Wine Culture-Centered Framework for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy Transition in Historic Small Towns
Ciliberto C., Calabrò G., Caristi G., Arbolino R., Ioppolo G.
From Data Scarcity to Strategic Action: A Managerial Framework for Circular Economy Implementation in Mediterranean Small Towns
Licastro A., D'Alessandro C., Szopik-Depczyńska K., Arbolino R., Ioppolo G.
Analysing Italian Historical Small Towns: A Cultural and Geographic Mosaic of Identity
Ciliberto C., Ioppolo G., Caristi G., Calabrò G.
Digital Transformation for Circular Economy: Business Process Innovation in Historic Small Towns - The Taurasi Case Study
Ciliberto C., Calabrò G., Caristi G., Ioppolo G.
Sustainable Circularity: Tracing Taurasi's Historical Small Town Resilience
Ciliberto C., Calabrò G., Caristi G., Ioppolo G.
A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis of Waste Management Practices in Historical Small Towns: The Taurasi Case Study
Ioppolo G., Calabrò G.
Project Team
UniME, Lead Unit
- PI Giuseppe Ioppolo
- Grazia Calabrò
- Giuseppe Caristi
- Cristina Ciliberto
University of Naples "L'Orientale"
- co-PI Roberta Arbolino
- Antonio Lopes
- Luisa De Simone
- Ilaria Russo
Advisory Board
Advisor Katarzyna Szopik-Depczyńska, University of Szczecin, Poland