Characteristics and effects of twin cities integration: the case of Reggio Calabria and Messina, 'walled cities' in Southern Italy

The objective of this paper is to analyse and discuss the case of the two urban areas located on the sides of the Strait of Messina, trying to explain this case as part of the wider international economic and territorial cutting‐edge literature on twin cities, and on the benefits deriving from their potential integration. It emerges that Reggio Calabria and Messina have a natural inclination to integrate, because of their complementary geographical, territorial, and economic structure. Therefore, potential benefits can arise from dismantling the ‘walls’ that still exist between them. Moreover, the analyses show that the existence of these ‘walls’ is not neutral: indeed, it probably contributes to weaken the economy and society of these areas, making them more and more marginal. Transport services are, of course, the key factor, which has the potential to change the destiny of these two areas.