VULNERABILITY AS A “NORTHERN” DISCOURSE: RIPENSARE AL DEGRADO AMBIENTALE, ALLA SOSTENIBILITÀ E AI CAMBIAMENTI CLIMATICI AL DI LÀ DELLE LOGICHE DI STIGMATIZZAZIONE SOCIO-SPAZIALE

3e concept of socio-environmental vulnerability is in-uenced by dominant cultural and historical
perspectives. Banko, (2001) proposed the concept of “vulnerability as a Western discourse”, which challenges this
view by contrasting a static conception of vulnerability that stigmatizes Global South regions and marginal areas. 3is
deterministic view is evident in perceptions of environmental migrations and responses to natural disasters. Concepts such
as sustainability and resilience are also subject to speci!c cultural perspectives and should be contextualized. Bottom-up
engagement e,orts in sustainability policies often remain rhetorical due to limitations in including the most vulnerable
groups. Addressing sustainability requires a broader and more inclusive understanding of vulnerability, actively involving
the most fragile groups in decision-making. 3e objective is to present case studies and analyses that transcend socio-
spatial stigmatization, recognizing actions to counter socio-environmental vulnerability beyond deterministic logics.