Production (as conceptualised by Henri Lefebvre)

From Geography

Production of space

This concept is designed by Henry Lefebvre. Henri Lefebvre (16 June 1901 – 29 June 1991) was a French sociologist, intellectual and philosopher who was generally considered a Neo-Marxist. Althus (who’s considered to be an Marxist) first started the discussion on the production of space, he considers that the economic factor were the dominant factors in creating spatial structure. Lefebrvre tried to broadens that idea by arguing that other aspects are important too. According to Lefebvre space is a social product, a reproduction of social relations of production. This social product can be seen as a social construction (based on values, and the social production of meanings) which affects spatial practices and perceptions. It is used as an instrument for the dominant class to reproduce its power.

When you try to apply the theory of social production on the real world, the result will be that every society produces its own space. So the old European cities cannot be simply understood as agglomeration of people and things in space. Rather cities are made by people who have their own spatial practice, and produce their own space.

References:

Lefebvre, H (1991) The production of Space. Oxford, Blackwell publishers