AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the main theoretical, methodological and applicative tools relating to enhancement of territories processes from a sustainability perspective.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• synthesise the basic elements of the geography of tourism applied to urban contexts and social dynamics;
• adopt a critical perspective on tourism processes;
• identify the multi-scalarity of tourism phenomena and their implications on places;
• identify and understand contemporary challenges to the promotion of places;
• analyse and understand the development processes of different forms of tourism in relation to contemporary challenges;
• argue and describe how the valorisation, protection and promotion of cultural and environmental assets is an articulated and complex process.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures, for a total of 36 hours (6 CFU), aimed at presenting and studying the main notions of the geography of tourism through the use of practical examples. Furthermore, students will be invited to participate to fieldwork activities that will be organized during the course.

Occasionally, scholars or experts in the discipline (Italian and foreign) may be invited to hold seminars to deepen specific aspects of the issues dealt with.

Attending students will have the opportunity to produce case studies through group or individual work, which will have to be returned in the form of an oral presentation during the course. Punctual information will be provided in lessons and via the teaching Web Classroom.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will focus on:

• tourism and the city;
• keys for the understanding of urban and social transformation linked to tourism;
• urban practices, touristisation of historic centres and its social impacts (disneyfication, foodification, gentrification, etc.);
• city branding;
• from the creative city to the shared city: effects on tourism and heritage.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For ATTENDING students

- Teaching material (scientific articles and slides) uploaded by the lecturer on AulaWeb, suitably supplemented by the lecturer in the classroom and summarised in the lecture notes.

In addition:

• Rossi U., Vanolo A. (2024 ed.). Nuova geografia politica urbana, Laterza (limitated to chapters 1 and 2)

For NON ATTENDING students

• Rossi U., Vanolo A. (2024 ed.). Nuova geografia politica urbana, Laterza (limitated to chapters 1 and 2)

- Critical reading of one of the following texts:

• Gainsforth S. (2019). Airbnb città merce. Storie di resistenza alla gentrificazione digitale. Roma: DeriveApprodi.
• Bonifacio D. (2022). La disneyficazione. Dimensioni e registri di un linguaggio universale. Milano: Mimesis.
• Harvey D. & Perry J. (eds. 2015). The Future of Heritage as Climates Change: Loss, Adaptation and Creativity. London: Routledge  (English text)
• Vanolo A. (2018). City branding: the ghostly politics of representation in globalising cities. London: Routledge (English text)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SARA BONATI (President)

GIAMPIETRO MAZZA

KRISTINA MAMAYUSUPOVA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will start on Wednesday 25th of February 2026

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral.

Group work, possibly carried out by attending students, even if discussed during the course, forms an integral part of the oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will allow to evaluate:
- mastery and deepening of knowledge,
- the ability to use the skills developed.
Evaluation criteria are:
- the quality of the oral communication,
- the correct use of the appropriate vocabulary,
- the ability of critical analysis, even on possible cases discussed.

The students who carry out the group work will also be assessed on the quality of the paper as regards the content and formal aspects.

Exam schedule