CRC 1265/3: Re-Figuration of Spaces

The Collaborative Research Center 1265 investigates current processes of the spatial reordering of society as a "re-figuration of spaces". Conceiving of sociality as an essentially spatial phenomenon, it seeks to develop an empirically-based theory of contemporary social change that views social change as a form of processual, spatial-communicative refiguration.In the first funding phase, the CRC’s work focused on elaborating basic concepts of social theory related to the spatiality of society, and on empirically identifying the qualitative features of refiguration. This empirical analysis advanced an in-depth specification of the sensitizing concepts translocalization, mediatization and polycontexturalization. The CRC identified four socially dominant spatial figures: territorial space, network space, trajectorial space, and place.For the second funding phase, three key priorities have been outlined: Research will (1.) highlight the role of conflicts in processes of spatial construction, particularly in and between different spatial figures. This inherently conflict-theoretical focus is (2.) linked to an in-depth exploration of the phenomenon of polycontexturalization and the way it is subjectively managed. These empirical investigations include the task of identifying and differentiating new emerging spatial orders.Insights gained during the first phase have made it clear that though refiguration processes share certain similarities with regards to their qualitative features, there are also crucial differences resulting from tensions between the different spatial figures. Focusing on these similarities and differences, as well as the multiple interconnections between the spaces studied in widely different societies around the globe, the CRC will continue to systematically pursue its comparative perspective concerning (3.) multiple spatialities. Methodologically, this approach allows us to explore both social convergences and divergences of refiguration on different scales without having to ex ante identify the spaces under study as clearly demarcated or independent entities. The CRC thereby accounts for the –at times conflictual– plurality of spatial knowledges, spatial actions and spatial regimes in order to gain a more nuanced understanding of these concepts. In addition to qualitative methods used to study refiguration, the CRC will further expand its repertoire by incorporating more quantitative data and mixed methods research. By utilizing innovative combinations, such as panel data and spatial data, alongside novel mapping procedures, the CRC will continue to advance the task it set itself during the first funding period of developing methods of social-science-based spatial research. The successful interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars of sociology, geography, communication studies, planning studies, architecture and the arts will be carried forward. Anthropology represents a new addition to this interdisciplinary framework