Le trasformazioni dello spazio napoletano: poteri illegali e territorio

In this paper, the result of a research project carried out jointly with researchers from the University "Federico II" of Naples, and from the Orientale, some of the transformations occurred in Naples Metropolitan Area since the 80s are analysed in connection with the role and the functions that the so-called illegal powers have developed during the same period. The reference is to the territory of the city, its suburbs and the metropolitan area as regards the part between the provinces of Naples aand Caserta. This constitutes a territorial set of fundamental importance in criminal/illegal terms especially in the outer part of the city. For illegal powers I am referring to organized crime seen in the specific forms of organization and embeddedness typical of this area. The connections between the spaces of action of illegal powers and the areas of greatest development of the region are highlighted , particularly in the intermediate zone between Caserta and Eboli. It is emphasized in particular the resource represented by the expansion of the metropolitan area of Campania and by the rich and varied network of motorways, which allow a strategic weld between the peripheries of Naples and the intermediate regional spaces – as such as a fast connection to the spaces outside the region –that could be considered the real pivots of illegal powers’ activities. This raises the question of the link between illegal powers, widespread lawlessness, black economy and the real economy. Finally, we outline the areas of illegality in the city centre of Naples, that are deeply changing due to the growing role of the suburbs. The obvious difficulty in the reference to official data is mediated by reference to sources of judicial nature.