Immersing in Landscape Ecologies. Performative Mapping, in the travertine Quarries of Acque Albule

his research addresses the ecological and social damage caused by travertine extraction in Italy, focusing on the Acque Albule region in Lazio, where 20 abandoned and unrefilled quarries remain as of 2024. With over 4,000 active and more than 14,000 abandoned quarry sites nationwide, the legacy of extraction has deeply transformed landscapes and disconnected communities from the territories they inhabit. The project proposes a participatory methodology that reclaims these sites not only through physical and ecological restoration but through inclusive community and ecological engagement. Central to this approach is the concept of Performative Mapping, an experimental method that gamifies the act of mapping and engages participants – both human and non-human – in immersive workshops. These workshops are held in urban areas bordering the extraction zones and encourage interaction with the slow, often invisible ecologies that persist in travertine landscapes. The method aims to foster new narratives and attachments to these sites, shifting perceptions from places of depletion to spaces of potential and care. The project draws on theories of political ecology and landscape studies, particularly those emphasizing “vibrant matter” (Bennett, 2010). By recognizing non-human actors – soil, water, flora, and geological processes – as participants in landscape transformation, the research reframes extraction sites as living, dynamic systems. Such recognition is vital in the context of a dual trend in landscape discourse: the aesthetic neglect of operational sites and the over-aestheticization of designed landscapes (Capuano et al., 2023). Representational practices – maps, images, and texts – are therefore not neutral, but political tools that shape power, space, and collective memory. This study questions whether the representation of non-human ecologies can provoke affective and political shifts that support alternative, sustainable territorial economies. In doing so, it advocates for a redefinition of travertine not as a dead, inert resource, but as part of a living, regenerative system. By attending to small-scale ecologies involved in travertine formation, the project encourages empathy with the more-than-human world, promoting democratic resource management and environmental monitoring. The Acque Albule case study, located at the intersection of urban expansion, ecological risk, and biodiversity, offers a concrete setting for methodological experimentation. Historical work by botanist Giuliano Montelucci and recent studies by Marco Giardini have revealed a high density of plant species – over 420 identified in travertine habitats – underscoring the area’s ecological richness. Landmarks such as the Monterozzo del Barco, a Roman-era artificial hill made from quarry debris, now function as biodiverse hotspots and symbolic reminders of long-term human-landscape interaction. In line with the doctoral work of Sara R. Ahmed and Cecilia Daniele, this research situates the travertine quarries within broader systems of resource politics, community identity, and ecological vulnerability. It recognizes the challenges of implementing topdown territorial plans and instead calls for the co-creation of focus groups that engage local stakeholders, artists, scientists, and residents. These groups will stimulate shared imagination and foster ethical, place-based responses to landscape reclamation. Outputs will include performative maps, interviews, and testimonies, made publicly accessible through an open-access digital platform and academic publications. By integrating participatory design, critical cartography, and ecological data, the research proposes a transferable model for engaging post-extractive sites worldwide. Ultimately, this work contributes to landscape pedagogy and practice by offering a new way to inhabit and represent degraded terrains – one rooted in inclusion, ecological awareness, and collective responsibility.