In the 1991 article “A global sense of place,” Doreen Massey calls for a social understanding of space. In this study, complex questions about rethinking the human sense of place in the context of globalization are posed. First, this paper presents arguments supporting the social understanding of the concept of place based on the gender interpretation of spatial geometry. Next, the paper contains arguments in favor of the hybrid coexistence of different space variations that ensure the stability of the phenomenon of urban identity in modern culture. Despite the importance of the social interpretation of “place,” it is logical to consider this phenomenon as a hybrid generated by various equally important factors.
According to the social approach, the identity of a place is expressed in the stories told, how they are presented, and which of these stories prevails. Spaces may not have their own stable identity of “place” – they are defined through the activity they contain, turning into “places-processes” (Massey, 1991, p. 26). The scientist argues for this approach by the fundamental changes, such as spatial activity in the modern era – the growth of spatial reach and the increasing complexity of the connections between the objects of social relations. In the social approach, the place is characterized as a unique mixture of relationships that form social production.
Anxiety in women when moving around the city can be considered part of the emotional perception of urban situations. Urban space can be described as a constantly changing product of the interaction of spatial stories. The attention is drawn to the mobility and social life of urban women. Second, space is constructed by diverse stories rather than existing as a given. It helps to emphasize the eventfulness of urban space. Finally, the processes of changing spatial phenomena are an integral process. Attention to urban situations makes it possible to include emotions in the analysis. They appear under certain circumstances, change, and fade away. Thus, the social approach is well illustrated by this example.
At different levels, there are various ways of thinking about the concept of “place.” The philosophical approach shows what the connections between large-scale social processes and urban transformations are. Religious practice can be observed when objects are sacred, and texts related to the place’s history are canonized. Within the political approach framework, images of urban culture are created purposefully as a tool for transforming social reality. The main thing here is not to formulate a single correct idea or judgment about the concept of place (as in the social approach). It is necessary to create images and levels open to the field of competition and promotion.
The concept of “place,” developed in urban studies, can be determined based on various criteria. It can also be defined from an ecological and mythological point of view, which opens up potential avenues for additional research on the topic. The emotional component of regional identity in research is illustrated through that concept. It focuses on the sense of place that would be appropriate for today’s era of space-time pressure, who experiences this sense of place, and whether people benefit or suffer from it. In summary, it can be argued that identity discourses result from the conceptual organization and integration of ideas and judgments about the place. My arguments are essential for understanding the spatial dimensions of sociocultural practice. All the identified approaches – religious, social, political, and philosophical – are integral components of urban identity development and the form of its representation.
Reference
Massey, D. (1991). A global sense of place. Marxism Today, 24-29.