Introduction: Contested Landscapes—Space, Place, and Identity in Contemporary Ireland

Abstract

Ireland’s transition from a predominantly rural to a (sub)urban society over the course of the twentieth century coincided with fundamental changes in its socio-cultural and environmental fabric (Corcoran et al. 2007; Moore and Scott 2005; Punch 2004).1 In particular, the recent suburbanization of many Irish towns and cities has raised interesting questions about the spatial organization of human social life. How important is public space for democratic participation? What kinds of spaces do people require to engage with others, or to get involved in community activities? Can we use spatial resources more sustainably and, if so, what are the consequences of such a transition for public and private spaces?

How Should Historians Talk about Spatial Agency?

“…Susanne Rau discusses how "new spaces originate in processes of globalization": exchanges, fonduks, hostels, markets, counting houses, telegraph stations, airports, temporary G-20 summits. 29 From this perspective, the notion of "spatial agency" refers primarily to humans acting upon or within a spatial environment. 30 To speak of the "spatial dimension of agency" is thus to evoke human action "expressed in spatial terms".…”

L’urbex : déchiffrage / défrichage critique

“…La transformation des campagnes, autrefois lieux d'activités agricoles, en espaces de loisirs ou de villégiature ainsi que les débats entourant la patrimonialisation des espaces naturels a également modifié l'imaginaire de la ruralité. La suburbanisation a engendré un recul de l'implication des individus dans la vie et l'espace public 58 si bien que le monde rural, associé à la notion idéale de communauté et à des pratiques sociales traditionnelles, revêt une aura nostalgique dont l'urbex, ou rurex, témoigne. Cette nostalgie d'une campagne idéalisée se mêle à celle, plus personnelle quoique partagée, de l'enfance et l'innocence.…”

(Im)mobility and Environment–Society Relations: Arguments for and Against the ‘Mobilisation’ of Environmental Sociology

“…Traditionally, human spatial practices in general and physical mobility in particular have been considered the domain of geographers, town planners and engineers. Sociologists have hitherto paid little attention to the social and cultural causes and consequences of (increased) physical mobility and changes in mobility patterns, including daily commuting and car dependency (Rammler 1999;Rau 2009). While recent inter-and transdisciplinary studies have successfully attempted to address some of these gaps, 1 transport sociology remains a niche subject within sociology.…”