WATER FUTURES THROUGH A GENDER LENS: RETHINKING LOCAL PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

This study investigates gendered perspectives in the context of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), focusing on local water management in Milan. A sample of audio-video interviews with governance stakeholders was transformed into a textual corpus, annotated with metadata on speaker roles and gender. A combination of natural language processing techniques and social network analysis was employed to identify thematic groups and recursive semantic patterns. Results revealed clear gender-based differences: women emphasize citizen participation, collaboration with science and culture, and focus on problem definition, viewing sustainable development as a gradual transformative process. Men, in contrast, prioritize specialized skills, territorial authority, and a circular flow of sustainable actions involving multiple actors. Key themes identified include urban territory, industries, politics, and civic participation, highlighting how gender shapes strategic approaches to local sustainable development.