Commuting and quality of life: The Italian Case

Cities are nowadays characterized by the presence of a growing number of commuters. Commuting practices are not only increasing but also transforming in connection with changes in residential patterns, labor markets, transport facilities, and household structure. Commuting toward the metropolis can generate a weakening of identity and linkages with the origin community and with respect to the family, a sense of risk in relation to criminality issues, health and psychological problems, and transport costs. But commuting also contributes to improving economic conditions, job opportunities, cultural level, and to maintaining a relationship with the social and environmental local context as well as with the large and fascinating city. One of the main results of these daily flows is that cities are currently characterized by the presence of different resident and non-resident populations competing in the processes of accessing, controlling and using local resources and services. Therefore, communities are no longer stable and closed entities but interact every day with different populations coming from different places. The chapter analyzes all these aspects with a specific focus on the Italian case.