Concept Of Territory Research Articles

Embodied geographies of liveability and urban parks

Urban parks are currently enshrined within liveable forms of sustainable urban planning for high-density city living. This article draws on Giles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s idea of territory to critically explore the embodied geographies of liveability. The concept of territory draws attention to the emplacement of subjectivities constituted not only through the discursive but also the emotional and affectual forces or flows between and through bodies and proximate objects. We argue that the embodied geographies of liveability are both performed and folded through the emotional and affectual circulations flowing through the body. To investigate these performances, flows and connections, an affective mapping exercise of urban park visits was conducted with 18 apartment dwellers in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. We address the concerns about social exclusion raised by the agenda of liveable cities and how the concept of ‘territory’ offers policy-relevant conclusions.

Pampa Bandera. Meditaciones sobre la tierra y el territorio en el film cuatreros de Albertina Carri

El artículo aborda el film Cuatreros (2016) de Albertina Carri desplegando arqueológica y genealógicamente las nociones de tierra y territorio, centrándose en la descripción poética de la mítica tierra y de la geografía material llamada “Pampa Bandera”, por la que transitaron los perseguidos cuatreros Velázquez y Gauna. Se abordan las nociones conceptuales de tierra y territorio al mismo tiempo que se interroga la autoctonía y fundación, a través de la que se piensa la biografía fabulada y el mito político, anudados entre la tierra baldía y el territorio de la insurrección, mientras se cuestiona críticamente cualquier forma de taxonomía cartográfica.

Trajectories of emigrant quasi-citizenship: a comparative study of Mexico and Turkey

In two of the busiest migration corridors of the twentieth century, namely Mexico-US and Turkey-Germany, migrants can today be dual citizens. However, the acceptance of dual citizenship did not occur automatically; instead, it followed a period of legal statuses short of full citizenship. This paper conceptualises such statuses as quasi-citizenship, a transitional equilibrium between the absence of plural citizenship and the existence of transnational migration. Focusing on sending states, the emergence of emigrant quasi-citizenship is thus explained, first, in terms of whether the reciprocal regimes of emigration and immigration states diverge on the acceptance of plural citizenship. Second, the stance towards plural citizenship is explained in terms of the experience with emigration. It is then shown that, in the case of Mexico, the legacy of undesired emigration weakened the incentives to adapt the territorial conception of citizenship to expatriates, hence creating quasi-citizens, and in the case of Turkey, the higher political relevance of expatriates, who could have the host country citizenship, reinforced the external dimension of the ethno-cultural conception of citizenship.

Health and nomadism: territory and belonging

This article discusses how territory and linking notions articulate with the health field in Brazil, in view of the relations that are established between health staff and certain social groups who see in the movement a logic of life, survival and resistance: the nomads. The concept of territory is an important organizer of Brazilian’s public policies, and is closely related to inclusion. The data were collected through participant observation of the daily work of two teams of Family Health Strategy, in a medium-sized city located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. For these services, nomadism is seen as a nuisance. On the other hand, include not only acquires a sense of attachment and population control, but the demarcation of belonging territories, from the investment of the relation of users with health services.

Border Wines: Terroir across Contested Territory

Etymologically related, the concepts of terroir and territoriality display divergent cultural histories. While one designates the palatable characteristics of place as a branded story of geographic distinction (goût de terroir), the other imbues the soil with political meaning, defendable boundaries, and collective entitlement. This research traces the production of eno-locality in contested spaces across political borders. Tracing the ascent of terroir as an organizing principle for the global wine culture and food industry, I examine the intersection of political geography, national identity, and cultural locality in the production of edible authenticity. Border wine regions such as Tokaj between Hungary and Slovakia, the Judean Hills and South Mount Hebron in Israel and Palestine, and the former Cold War buffer zone between Bulgaria and Greece illustrate the articulation of terroir as a story of border-crossing. Beyond the essentialization of terroir as “nature” and the contested politics of territory, I identify three formations of the terroir-territory connection: (a) territorialization of terroir, (b) terroir-ization of territory, and (c) colonial terroir expansion. In the case of “border wines” indexical strategies of boundary- and terroir-making highlight the creative agency and semiotic manipulation of winemakers across political territories.

Secession and the Prevalence of Militant Constitutionalism Worldwide

The prevalent approach suggests that constitutions are silent about secession and may even implicitly allow it. But an examination of world constitutions reveals that the overwhelming majority of countries vigorously protect territorial integrity. This is true even of countries classified as consociational or consensus democracies. Scholars further point to the existence of secessionist political parties as proof that secession may align with constitutionalism. This Article, however, explains how democracies engage in a delicate game to chase and eliminate secessionist political mobilization. Democracies have been able to conceal their fight against secessionists by creating a large gap between “the law on the books” and “the law as practiced.” Some constitutions also use doublespeak to declare territorial integrity inviolable while nevertheless setting procedures for territorial change. In fact, democracies employ the most unconventional constitutional weapons to fight against secession. These include a ban on secessionist political parties from participating at elections and a constitutional eternity clause that makes territorial integrity an eternal value, not subject to constitutional amendment. These tools raise democratic paradoxes so extreme that democracies appear to be using the tools of authoritarian regimes. Militant democracy must be re-characterized to capture not just bans on political parties, but also eternity clauses. It serves to protect existential needs of states, not just their democratic regime. Even when democracies allow for secession, they set such hurdles that secession becomes all but impossible to achieve. Countries’ total prohibition on secession may be explained on strategic as well as principled constitutional law considerations. This Article argues that constitutions’ treatment of secession reveals that “We the People” is a territorial concept. The Canadian landmark Reference re Secession of Quebec decision’s precedential value for world constitutionalism must thus be qualified.

From the use of space to territorialisation during the Early Holocene in Taltal, coastal Atacama Desert, Chile

In this paper, we present recent data on Early Holocene human occupations from Taltal, in the coast of the Atacama Desert. We focus on evidences of mobility and subsistence economy, discussing the data in terms of a concept of territoriality adapted from cultural geographers working with hunting-gathering societies. We attempt to show that the Huentelauquén Cultural Complex, usually considered the earliest evidence of human occupation in the coast of northern Chile, exhibits an already consolidated territorialisation process. We question whether it represents the earliest phases of the peopling process or if such evidence are still lacking at a regional level. We try to go beyond the characterization of Huentelauquén Cultural Complex as an early maritime adaptation, understanding it as the earliest socio-territorial identity known to date for the Arid Coast of northern Chile.

Intra-Unit Minorities in the Context of Ethno-National Federation in Ethiopia

After years of centralized rule emphasizing unity and territorial integrity, Ethiopia in 1991 adopted a federal system that aimed at accommodating its diversity. The system is designed to empower hitherto marginalized ethno-national groups by ensuring self-government in nine constituent units and redrawing boundaries to match with ethno-national boundaries. By designing constituent units, and, in some cases, local governments that ensure self-rule to major ethno-national groups, the constitution transforms these groups into majorities within the territories they control at constituent and local level. This article argues that while conferring territorial autonomy and self-rule to mobilized, territorially grouped ethno-national groups may be a step in the right direction to address the age-old ‘nationality question’, the design establishes a titular ethno-national group that claims exclusive control over territory, dominates public institutions, perpetuates majority rule and replicates the problems of the ‘nation-state’ at constituent-unit level. The combination of majority rule by titular ethno-national group and exclusive control over territory at constituent-unit level in a context of heterogeneous constituent units and increased inter-regional state mobility has therefore had grave consequences for intra-unit minorities. What the design provides is autonomy for a particular titular ethno-national group, not autonomy for all inhabitants in the constituent unit. Hence, the question arises: What institutional and policy options do we have to address the rights of intra-unit minorities in the states? It is argued that the process of empowering ethno-nationalist group at regional-state level was conducted without putting relevant institutional and policy mechanisms in place to minimize the marginalization of intra-unit minorities. The article therefore examines the institutional, political, legal and policy safeguards that exist for intra-unit minorities. It proposes four mechanisms that aim to address the concerns of intra-unit minorities: power-sharing as well as non-territorial autonomy; external checks by the federal government to monitor constituent units’ compliance with intra-unit minorities; and strict enforcement of human rights throughout the country. Enforcement of these packages of supplementary measures would mitigate the situation of intra-unit minorities and recast the conception of political power and territory in such a way that they are understood not as the exclusive property of a particular ethno-national group but a shared common good for all inhabitants of the constituent units.

Desterritorização e reterritorização: processos vivenciados por jovens com deficiência intelectual no contexto da inclusão escolar

Após a promulgação da Política Nacional de Educação Especial na Perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva (BRASIL, 2008), a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência na modalidade da Educação de Jovens e Adultos está ocorrendo de maneira mais acentuada. Mediante essa inclusão, o presente artigo tem por objetivo compreender os processos de desterrittorização e de reterritorização, vivenciados por jovens com deficiência intelectual no contexto da inclusão escolar. De abordagem qualitativa se utilizou como instrumento de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada e, como sujeitos 3 (três) jovens com deficiência intelectual matriculados em um Centro de Educação de Jovens e Adultos (CEJA), situado no Estado de Santa Catarina. A pesquisa foi construída com concepções advindas dos estudos territoriais especialmente nos conceitos de território, desterritorialização e reterritorialização de Deleuze e Guattari, que propiciaram diálogo com a pesquisa. Constatou-se que a inclusão possibilitou aos jovens com deficiência intelectual a descoberta de novos territórios. Na descoberta de novos territórios, os jovens vivenciam processos de desterrritorização e reterritorização. Na desterrritorização, emergem as linhas de fuga, perfilhando uma relação entre o desejo e o pensamento, a terra e o território. No entanto a desterritorização do pensamento vivenciada é acompanhada pela reterritorização no CEJA. Os processos de desterritorização e reterritorização foram marcados por agenciamentos que conduziram os jovens à novas territorialidades. Por meio destes processos os jovens com deficiência intelectual, fazem parte do devir que a inclusão escolar possibilita.

Rural voices and protected areas: the environmental perception of small rural owners about the natural resources

Perceptions on the environment provided by the Oral History approach enabledan understanding of the historical and social-ecological context regarding natural resources on the part of residents neighboring on a Conservation Unit (CU), in the NationalForest of Ritápolis, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.The resident’s lack of engagement with the management of the CU is a reflexion of an environmental policy based on traditional conservationist practices which leads to a non-identification of the residents with the protected area, resulting in negative perceptions about the role of CU and its administration. This situation culminates in a conflict based on different concepts of territoriality.

Conceito de território rural e políticas públicas e sua evolução histórica nos governos FHC e Lula

O presente artigo busca refletir sobre o conceito de território rural como categoria de análise das dinâmicas espaciais e sua dependência e implicação em políticas públicas, objetivando resgatar o histórico do seu aperfeiçoamento nos governos de FHC e Lula. A partir da revisão da literatura, o artigo procura comparar as estratégias de desenvolvimento territorial rural nos dois governos, contribuindo com a discussão a respeito da perspectiva territorial no desenvolvimento regional no Brasil. O resultado permitiu constatar que houve avanços, apensar de existirem enormes desafios a serem superados, entre os quais uma maior participação e qualificação dos atores sociais e uma disposição política para uma gestão democrática por parte dos atores governamentais.

Disputas en y por el territorio. El caso del macizo Del Deseado

Este artículo examina algunos de los problemas que se desatan en el área del macizo del Deseado, centro-norte de la provincia de Santa Cruz, en la Patagonia austral argentina, un espacio donde se desarrolla de manera casi exclusiva la mega-minería metalífera como única actividad posible. En este contexto analizaremos las disputas que se desatan en y por el territorio producto de esta actividad, en un contexto donde la multiplicidad de sujetos que intervienen en el espacio complejizan los conflictos. En este escenario, la concepción de territorio propuesta por Bernardo Mançano Fernandes, apoyada en una perspectiva crítica, nos permite desarticular la trama del conflicto bajo una metodología cualitativa apoyada en fuentes secundarias. A nivel de resultados, este artículo expone el funcionamiento de la mentalidad rentística, la violencia y la trampa de la abundancia en regiones de vocación extractiva.

El extractivismo desde el enfoque de género:

El texto explora las metodologías de análisis de género y medio ambiente en el estudio del modelo extractivista en México, con base en las características de las actividades mineras, de extracción convencional y no convencional de hidrocarburos, así como del uso del agua para megaproyectos asociados con actividades extractivas. El objetivo es contribuir al análisis y la formulación de estrategias que consideren las desigualdades sociales y de género en la investigación y la acción social. La metodología se basa en la transversalización de las variables básicas del análisis de género y medio ambiente (división sexual del trabajo, acceso diferenciado a los recursos naturales y a la toma de decisiones y uso del tiempo) en cuatro ámbitos de la vida comunitaria, tomando como referencia el concepto de territorio (uso del territorio; ocupación, empleo e ingreso; salud y medio ambiente; y organización y vida comunitaria). Los aportes refieren la aplicación de este modelo a un conjunto de actividades extractivas probado en estudios previos que mostraron sus ventajas y limitaciones. Se concluye con un conjunto de lecciones aprendidas en las que se destacan los aspectos más relevantes a considerar para incorporar el enfoque de género en el análisis de las actividades extractivas en México.

Economia criativa e territórios usados: um debate baseado nas contribuições de Milton Santos

Resumo Este trabalho explora a literatura internacional e nacional sobre espaços criativos, destacando os aportes teóricos de Milton Santos sobre territórios e suas contribuições para o tema. Delimita-se um conceito de território criativo que incorpora uma perspectiva crítico-reflexiva de análise para os estudos nesse campo teórico e favorece uma abordagem de desenvolvimento que contemple aspectos das formações econômicas, sociais e simbólicas de um determinado espaço. Ressalta-se o potencial das discussões realizadas para auxiliar o planejamento de políticas públicas voltadas para o desenvolvimento de territórios criativos que integrem: inclusão social, sustentabilidade, inovação e diversidade cultural.

When national pride meets naval power: maritime insecurity and Chinese hegemony

Territorial tensions in the waters surrounding China have escalated in recent years. Maritime disputes in the South and East China Seas are, however, not just territorial, but are fundamentally underpinned by China’s attempts to display its growing regional dominance. In this vein, this article focuses on both the tangible and intangible values inherent in the concept of territory, analyzing existing studies proposing that contemporary territorial disputes may transform themselves into military clashes. It shows how China’s national pride and burgeoning military nationalism are connected to tensions with the USA by presenting two case studies. Congruently, the paper critically assesses contemporary claims that the territorial disputes are, in fact, a product of China’s ‘Monroe Doctrine,’ which frequently functions as a warning to the USA. In so doing, the article contributes to understanding the implications of the region’s instability for American foreign policy and, more significantly, for international security.

LUCHAS EN DEFENSA DEL TERRITORIO. REFLEXIONES DESDE LOS CONFLICTOS SOCIO AMBIENTALES EN MÉXICO

When territorial conflicts arise, from what positions are territories being defended? What is in dispute? What projects are carried out through the conflict? To answer to these questions, the present work offers an analysis of cases of socio-environmental conflict that pose territorial claims. I am interested in several points: firstly, to problematize the concept of territory, not to give it as something given and preexistent to the confrontation; Secondly, to know the various arguments upon which the defense is justified and to understand the place that the protagonists claim to have, and finally, to give an account of the actions and socio-historical horizons that are drawn and constructed from these processes. I consider that although these demands are inserted in long-term processes, there is no timeless subject - fixed in time and space-that seeks self-assertion through these struggles, nor there is a preexisting and clearly delimited territory as an object of defense. The hypothesis of departure is that both the subject and the territory, which are mutually involved, are constructed in the conflictive action, are (re) defined, are (re) affirmed and projected socially and temporally. Thus, the objective of this work is to understand the processes of constitution of the place-subject.

Paisaje sonoro y territorio. El caso del barrio San Nicolás en Cali, Colombia

Apart from architecture and the urban space, the environment also contributes –beyond any administrative delimitation– to the generation of meaningful territories. This paper addresses the relationship that exists between space and sound –understood as soundscape - in San Nicolas de Cali, a traditional place that is about to experience some changes as the result of the implementation of urban renewal policies and the modernization of the Printing industry, the predominant activity that characterizes the area. Since 1894, this neighborhood has been home to a large number of small printing businesses that left a footprint of sound generated by the subtle “industrial symphony” performed by the drumming of old and new machines and offered to passersby from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. This three-year research project develops a theoretical proposal through the definition of the sound territory concept, which is then validated through a case study. Based on an interdisciplinary approach, this study addresses the opinions of the community and uses methodologies that combine morphological analysis with the recording, sound measurement and hearing of landscapes which are mapped.

Cuidado em saúde no território na interface entre Saúde Mental e Estratégia de da Saúde Família

This article reflects on health care complexity in the territory of the intersection between Mental Health and Primary Care. For both, discusses the concept of territory, from the contributions of geography and philosophy, stating it in its procedural nature and experimentation in monitoring existential processes that materialize it. This discussion allows us to experience a questioning of clinical practice itself and summon us to the construction of an ethical practice of cultivating the public dimension in the entire health care process. The concept of public is analyzed considering the inseparability of three production processes: production of health, subjectivity and existential territories.

Crossing the Green Line: Frontier, environment and the role of bandeirantes in the conquering of Brazilian territory

This article’s objective is to present, via bibliographic research, the territorial makeup of colonial Brazil (1500-1822) and the Brazilian historical approach at the beginning of the twentieth century that sought to relate questions and concepts of frontier, territoriality, and nature in the historic role of the bandeirante movement. The goal here is to address territorial and geographic questions, but also environmental ones, based on historical geography, and to present arguments that fall in the nexus between history and nature in the debate on Brazilian territorial expansion. The text is grounded in classical works, and works by renown authors on this topic, but we also include discussion of less well known sources. The intent is to identify how the theme of bandeirantes and Brazilian westward expansion can be analyzed differently in the pertinent specialized historical literature.

Granada. El lastre de la historia, pasado y presente

Heritage cities preserve the memory of space and time, and the inherited cultural legacy creates a link between past and future. It is in these cities where we must ensure the continuity between past and present to build the future. We will use the concept of landscape as the holistic conception of territory, culture and life. Cultural landscape has nothing to do with historic centres, but with its heritage value. Heritage cities are time-collector layouts. Any added volume within the system will modify he space, and thus must be expressed as a permanence. Contemporary designs must also respond to current changes and trends. They must contribute to the existing social and economic model while presenting a strong sensibility to context and people feelings. People need to own their space. Consequently, architecture must avoid facades and pseudo copies of our legacy, and seek for the preservation of the scale and the structure of the urban layout. The design of public spaces is critical, and so is the usability of them. Therefore, their management does not only belong to political interests, but to the inhabitants, the ones who achieve the affective connection with the heritage city.