This contribution aims at driving the reflection to the dynamics characterising the processes of sustainable and enduring development. In line with well-established sociological theories concerning territorial sustainable development, we wish to corroborate the hypotheses that, on one hand, still point to the economic system as the main standard for measuring concrete growth opportunities, but on the other hand place the main emphasis in their descriptions on the cultural system and citizens' awareness as the essential correlates for a development able to promote socio-economic cohesion in a given territory.