"Doing with space": towards a pragmatics of space M. Lussault1 and M. Stock2 1Ecole Normale Supérieure Lettres et Sciences Humaines, University of Lyon, France 2Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch, Sion, Switzerland
Received: 26 Nov 2008 – Published in Soc. Geogr. Discuss.: 23 Feb 2009 Revised: 30 Nov 2009 – Accepted: 18 Dec 2009 – Published: 24 Feb 2010
Abstract. This article intends to explore the conditions of possibility of a
pragmatics of space. How are practices constructed through space? How are the different ways of practising places are informed by different aspects of
spatial dimensions? In order to get into this question, three points are
developed. Firstly we will delimit the field of what is termed here
"pragmatics" as larger than "pragmatism", with reference to recent
developments within French sociology. Secondly we will propose a shift from
geographies of "being in space" towards geographies of "doing with
space". Thirdly we propose two expressions and concepts for a pragmatics of
space: the notions of "doing with space" and space "at proof" are
explored in order to be used as tools for investigation. Finally, we will
explicit the analytical tools developed of practice within situations will
be developed. Especially, the treatment of a situation as arrangements of
multiples relationships of humans, necessitating a multiple-layered
approach, from the recollection of discourse, objects and observation is
developed.
Citation: Lussault, M. and Stock, M.: "Doing with space": towards a pragmatics of space, Soc. Geogr., 5, 11-19, doi:10.5194/sg-5-11-2010, 2010.