Speakers
Description
The North Adriatic coastline has undergone profound transformations due to the interplay of human interventions and natural forces. Two major modernization projects, in particular, have reshaped the region: the early 20th-century land reclamation efforts, which converted marshy areas into productive land, and the extensive developments that established coastal resorts, now among Italy’s leading tourism sectors. However, agricultural productivity in the reclaimed areas is in decline, while coastal tourism faces the crisis of mass beach tourism. Today, climate change introduces new and urgent challenges, particularly rising sea levels, necessitating an examination of spatial justice (Soja, 2010) and mobility commons (Sheller & Urry, 2006; Sheller, 2018) in the region. This paper investigates the modalities and impacts of climate change on the North Adriatic and explores future mobility and adaptation strategies. It emphasizes the uneven distribution of climate change effects across different territories and the role of planning processes in either mitigating or exacerbating social and spatial inequalities. Employing a qualitative, multi-method approach, the research integrates interviews, policy document analysis, and a review of European projects. Based on the collected data, a ‘Scenario 0’ (business-as-planned) is formulated to identify current trajectories and gaps in long-term strategic planning, while future scenarios are developed under the hypothesis that promoting slow forms of mobility can drive a more just transformation of the territory.
Results indicate that climate change has only recently emerged as a concern in the North Adriatic. While European projects reflect a growing awareness, their approach remains incremental rather than transformative, and planning documents still lack concrete adaptation measures. Interviews with local administrators reveal varying levels of concern, but climate change is not yet perceived as an urgent issue. This lack of adequate recognition, coupled with the limited implementation of adaptation strategies, is already contributing to unequal impacts across different territories and populations—disparities that are expected to intensify in the coming years. In regard to mobility, conflicting trends are evident. On one hand, investments in high-speed infrastructure reinforce territorial centralities and enhance economic competitiveness, often prioritizing tourism-driven growth over local needs and environmental justice. On the other, certain local initiatives promote alternative, slower mobility networks aimed at fostering sustainable territorial development beyond seasonal tourism. These initiatives have the potential to improve spatial justice by ensuring more equitable access to resources and mobility opportunities.
References
Soja, E. (2010) Seeking spatial justice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Sheller, M. and Urry, J. (2006) 'The New Mobilities Paradigm', Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 38(2), pp. 207-226.
Sheller, M. (2018) Mobility Justice: The Politics of Movement in an Age of Extremes. London and New York: Verso.
| Keywords | Climate Change; Mobility, Mobile Commons; Spatial Justice; Adaptation |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
