Geographical perceptions of inhabitation. Places, spaces, territories

Abstract

The theme of inhabitation appears in various forms in the geographical discourse, taking on specific meanings. These discursive forms reflect a wide range of spatial and social phenomena: settlement methods, urbanization, displacement and distribution of the population, spatial production and organization techniques, pollution, gentrification and sprawl, housing and environmental policies, tourism practices, and many more.

Thus, like a karstic river, inhabitation runs through the entire discursive field of geography. In this contribution we focus both on the theoretical dimension and on the practical-operational dimension of housing dynamics.

First, a theoretical dimension. We recall the thought of Douglas Porteous and the reflections by Eric Dardel, Maurice Le Lannou and Augustin Berque to show how the meaning of inhabitation designates the intrinsic condition of possibility of human existence.

Second, a practical-operational dimension that proceeds through a series of short examples: the 'Dialogue Center Przełomy' in the city of Stettin in Poland allows us to think deeply about the new functionality of contemporary urban spaces; the installation of the artists Christo and Jeanne Claude, The Floating Piers, in Lago d’Iseo; the MEA Museum etc.

The perception of theories, values and housing practices that are so varied allows us to grasp the profound complexity of the housing forms in different territorial contexts.