This proposal examines how water, land, and energy infrastructures interact across the Adriatic land-sea basin. The research seeks to challenge and redefine what “corridor mobility” means, as well as the epistemic tools for envisioning a fair ecological future. We show that corridor mobility is a material, social, and ecological infrastructure that design disciplines often overlook. Focusing on the Adriatic region between Albania and Italy, the research explores how mobility infrastructures, such as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and thermoelectric power complexes, mediate flows of water, energy, nature, capital, ideas, space, and politics. What landscape transformations and asymmetry are produced? To what extent can these infrastructures address their materiality, immanence, and openness to decolonial and ecological projects?
This proposal embodies the SOM Foundation European Research Prize’s spirit of innovation and interdisciplinarity by redefining the boundaries of mobility corridors as not just physical routes, but as hydrosocial and energetic flows. These infrastructures create dependence, extraction, and conflict. They can also become spaces where pathways to sustainability, justice, and resilience are shaped and negotiated. The research uses theoretical multidisciplinary analysis, archival tools, ethnographic fieldwork, and a research-by-design approach in the teaching experience. The aim is to develop relational cartographies and actionable policy and design strategies to mitigate the effects of these infrastructures. The project will showcase the relational cartographies produced during the research and educational experience through an exhibition and a final public seminar. These events will promote collaborative research and community dialogue, culminating in a publication with broad impact.
