Industrial ecology and sustainable territorial development - perspectives on the creation of territorial commons

This chapter analyzes the intersection of industrial ecology (IE) and sustainable territorial development, advocating the creation of “territorial commons” as a prerequisite and outcome of successful IE projects. It argues that the circular economy (CE), through IE, can foster economic prosperity and environmental preservation by optimizing the use of resources and promoting a more sustainable production model. Focusing on the territoriality of the CE, the authors underline the importance of localized management of resource flows and coordination of actors to achieve sustainable territorial development. The case of Dunkirk, France, is used to illustrate the practical application of these concepts, highlighting the role of collective resource management and governance in building territorial commons and driving sustainable development. The study underlines that building a territorial commons appears to be a long and complex process, fraught with obstacles, including the potential failure of coordination tools and conflicts between divergent visions of territorial development.