Role and importance of historic urban markets in Sicily

Sicily’s historic markets represent a priceless cultural, eco- nomic and social heritage, witnessing centuries of trade, food traditions and daily practices. However, they face complex challenges today, driven by processes of commercial glo- balization, demographic changes and urban transformations. This study aims to analyze the evolution of historic Sicilian markets, highlighting their geographical, economic and social peculiarities, and proposing strategies for their enhancement and preservation. The multidisciplinary approach combining economic geography, historical analysis and digital technolo- gies has made it possible to show how historic markets can become tools for sustainable and inclusive local development, capable of combining tradition and modernity. Early research findings show how important it is to preserve the cultural identity of these places while promoting their innovation and collective participation. Particularly in Cata- nia and Palermo, commerce in public areas remains one of the main forms of distribution and plays an important role in terms of socio-economic spillovers, contributing to tour- ist attractiveness and urban quality. In this analysis, structural development in two of the significant urban markets in the cit- ies of Catania and Palermo are identified, pointing out some existing problems that, in the long run, could represent limits to their usability. Our approach integrates the use of cartogra- phy and will highlight some of the “disturbing” elements that characterize the urban appearance of one of the cities’ most classic cultural icons.