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Progetto MAPS
Multidimensional Area Place-based System
Defining Homogeneous Local Systems based on multidimensional daily mobility
The Project
Context
Beyond Local Labour Systems
MAPS redefines functional territorial areas in Italy based on actual daily mobility patterns. Unlike the traditional ISTAT Local Labour Systems (LLS), which rely exclusively on commuting data, MAPS integrates all dimensions of daily life: work, family management, education, leisure, and access to essential public services.
Empirical evidence
Work Accounts for Only 32% of Trips
Audimob data (ISFORT, 2023–2024) show that family management accounts for 37.2% of daily trips, leisure for 26.2%, education for 4.6%, and work for only 32%. The trend is structural: from 35.9% in 2008 to 32% in 2023. Modelling territory solely on home-to-work flows means ignoring the majority of daily trips.
Objectives
Four Research Lines
The project maps local systems through effective accessibility to services; identifies disadvantaged areas using multidimensional indicators; analyses public investments from Open Coesione, PNRR, and regional funds; and assesses the potential impact of investments through simulation of alternative resource allocation scenarios.
The Analytical Pillars
Scope - Multidimensional Needs
Analysis of daily mobility for work (32%), family management (37.2%), leisure (26.2%), education (4.6%), and access to public services.
Space - Hierarchical Network of Attractors
Identification of territorial attractors on 4 levels (metropolitan, urban, semi-urban, rural) based on the availability of essential services.
Time - 1-Hour Travel Constraint
Accessibility isochrone calculation with a 1-hour limit for daily trips, accounting for multi-modal transport options.
Modern Data Infrastructure
Data Lake with Medallion pattern (Bronze → Silver → Gold), Prefect orchestration, OpenMetadata governance, fully open-source stack.
200+ Territorial Datasets
Automated ingestion from ISTAT, GTFS, Ministries, OpenCoesione, PNRR. Management of 2010–2025 time series with municipal mergers.
Scientific Methodology
Rigorous framework for Homogeneous Local Systems (SLO) definition, algorithmic validation, place-based policy simulation, and open data publication.
Project Work Packages
WP2 - Data-Lake Infrastructure Implementation
Timeline: M9-M12 | Deadline: D2.1 (31/03/2026), D2.2-D2.3 (31/05/2026)
Design and implementation of the data infrastructure for the MAPS project using the Medallion pattern (Bronze → Silver → Gold).
Deliverables:
- D2.1: Technical Design (architecture, solution design, hosting specifications)
- D2.2: Documented and tested ETL scripts (Python/SQL)
- D2.3: Pipeline validation and hardening report
Stack: PostgreSQL + PostGIS, Prefect, OpenMetadata, DuckDB, Great Expectations, Docling
WP3 - SLO Algorithm Development
Timeline: M12-M18 | Deadline: 30/09/2026
Development of the algorithm for identifying Homogeneous Local Systems (SLO) based on the three analytical pillars (Scope, Space, Time).
Deliverables:
- D3.1: SLO algorithm methodological document
- D3.2: Algorithm implementation (Python/R)
- D3.3: Results validation and comparison with existing aggregations
Go to WP3 documentation (in preparation)
WP5 - Place-Based Policy Simulator Development
Timeline: M18-M22 | Deadline: 31/01/2027
Development of a simulator to evaluate the impact of place-based territorial policies on Homogeneous Local Systems.
Deliverables:
- D5.1: Simulator design document
- D5.2: Web-based simulator implementation
- D5.3: User documentation and use cases
Go to WP5 documentation (in preparation)
WP6 - API and Open Data Publication
Timeline: M20-M24 | Deadline: 31/03/2027
Development of a REST API for SLO data access and publication of open data datasets following the DCAT-AP_IT standard.
Deliverables:
- D6.1: API specifications and OpenAPI documentation
- D6.2: API v2 implementation with authentication
- D6.3: Open data catalogue and DCAT-AP_IT metadata
Go to WP6 documentation (in preparation)
Project Information
FRES2 Call
- Client: Fondazione Gran Sasso Tech
- CUP: B13C25001430001
- Duration: 24 months (June 2025 – May 2027)
- Website: www.gransassotech.org
Methodological Framework
The MAPS project is built on three analytical pillars for the definition of Homogeneous Local Systems (SLO):
- Scope: Multidimensional analysis of daily needs (work, family, education, leisure, public services)
- Space: Identification of territorial attractors on 4 hierarchical levels (metropolitan, urban, semi-urban, rural)
- Time: Accessibility constraint within 1 hour for daily mobility (multi-modal isochrone calculation)
Author
Guglielmo Celata ICT Specialist Consultant - Quality Assurance and Acceptance Fondazione Gran Sasso Tech
Bibliographic References
De Renzis, A., Compagnucci, F., Faggian, A., Veneri, P. (2025). MAPS - Multidimensional Area Place-based System. WP1: Conceptual Framework – Scoping report. Fondazione Gran Sasso Tech / Gran Sasso Science Institute.
Last updated: February 2026