The polarisation of Italian metropolitan areas, 2000–2018: structural change, technology and growth.

This article examines the economic and technological development trajectories of Italian metropolitan areas from 2000 to 2018, focusing on patterns of polarisation in income, innovation, and sectoral composition. It finds a pronounced divergence between leading metropolitan zones—particularly Milan, identified as Italy's sole "global city"—and other metropolitan areas, especially those in the South and Islands, which lag in population growth, GDP per capita, advanced business services (finance and ICT), and patenting activity. The study employs factor and cluster analyses to reveal persistent structural disparities without convergence among metropolitan clusters, and econometric modeling suggests that while ICT and manufacturing sectors promote economic convergence, the concentration of financial services tends to exacerbate regional inequalities. The findings highlight the need for place-based policies aimed at diffusing technological capabilities and fostering innovation in lagging metropolitan areas to address growing territorial imbalances within Italy.