Distance and hospitality : reflexions on spatial reasoning

In this paper we reconsider some of the ways in which the relation between space and society has been formulated. We focus specially on socioculturally mixed urban environments. We offer a three-part critique of what we call "spatial reasoning". That is, we critique the way of conceiving space-society relations which not only eliminates the social dimension (and so obscures relations and social positioning), but also hinders the appreciation of the multiplicity of ordinary social practices of exchange, transaction, communication or hospitality - which obscures, in a word, recognition between social groups. We conclude our argument by emphasising the complex relation between distance and hospitality.