Community Development and Communication: Preliminary Case Studies in Italy

The article initially develops a theoretical reflection on the relationships between local community development and deep media practices with particular reference to the processes of building community social relations through communications and media. The possible consequences of a communication strategy on increasing social capital and social cohesion are also discussed. It then analyzes and deepens the characteristics of the various types of interconnection between local communities, active communication of citizens, mediated practices and processes, and citizen media (interpersonal proximity communication, communicative trust and participation, connecting communication, communication with the territory, mutualistic communication). Finally, it analyzes some experiences of communication processes for community development in the Italian context.