Territory as a dimension of mutuality: spaces of co-belonging beyond the human/non-human dualism

Abstract

With the advent of modernity, human control over nature has progressively transformed the concept of territory from a ‘living being’ into a market asset, converting its generative qualities into tradable attributes. This transition exemplifies an extractive logic in which nature’s value is reduced to profitability metrics and converted into financial rent through technocratic processes. The deconstruction of the anthropocentric paradigm, founded on the dichotomy between human and  non‑human, therefore emerges as an essential prerequisite for rethinking governance models capable of transcending purely technical-procedural approaches. The study aims to identify conceptual frameworks to guide the formulation of eco‑territorial governance models founded on reciprocity and driven by co‑evolutionary dynamics. These models aim to guide a reconfiguration of socio‑ecological relations beyond traditional extractive logics. Adopting a critical lens, the study redefines the concept of territory as a space of mutual belonging. It undertakes a comparative analysis of the pathways of Sa Tramuda in Sardinia and the network of Trazzere in Sicily, proposing an interpretive framework that transcends the human/non‑human dualism. It presents models that highlight the interdependence between communities and territory, emphasising its role as a dynamic entity shaped by historical layers, cultural practices and ecosystem connections, rather than merely its tangible dimension.