Unchartered Boundaries: The Territoriality of Everyday Life

A misunderstanding permeates current discussions on boundaries. This is the deeply rooted idea according to which boundaries are a hindrance to movement. Often portrayed as barriers and walls or as material artefacts purposely designed to impede the free movement of people and goods, boundaries are instead intrinsic to movement. They can be better understood by considering them as the settings of everyday life or even as tracks left by the comings and goings of people. By introducing the concept of practice on the move, within the framework of Bourdieu’s theory of practice, this chapter argues that boundaries are integral to social motion. The latter statement applies particularly to administrative boundaries. Territories are divided into districts to secure general welfare or enforce social control. However, the administrative layers of spatial ordering are built upon the customary territoriality of people. As life passes by, administrative boundaries and daily motions inevitably diverge. Unchartered boundaries result from unpredictable variations in motion patterns and routines. The main challenge for experts is first recognising the new patterns, and then reconciling boundaries with everyday life’s mobilities. This task is more easily achieved with the reuse and resignification of existing boundaries rather than the forging of new ones. Boundary makers should work as bricoleurs to take advantage of social and behavioural resources.