The Anthropocene and the urbanization of nature: towards sustainability?

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to critically reflect on two major“obstacles”(absences) that preclude from seriously investigate the contemporary world ecological crisis. The first one is connected to the contemporary politics and narratives existing around the idea of‘sustainability’, its current depo- liticization and technocratic use. The second one, on the other hand, recognizes the urban process – here conceived as“metabolic flows”of nature which enters/exits the city – as responsible for the contemporary ecological crisis. Through the theoretical lenses of post-ecology (Bluehdorn & Welsh 2007) and urban political ecology (Heynen et al, 2005), I unfold the flaws that are currently hindering a socio-ecological theorization for more sustainable futures.