A framework to grasp socio-territorial relationships : a conceptual path

This chapter proposes an introductory conceptual framework to better understand some aspects of everyday relations of people and spaces. From the perspective of anthropology of space, it first provides a reflection on issues that are important for understanding these relationships, to then, in a second step, address the relevance of walking as a method to trigger a sensitive path. This chapter aims to raise the interest for urban planning that is more attentive to the multidimensionality of socio-territorial relations. To explore the sensitiveness of urban space it is important to consider (a) the perspective of users in terms of symbolic dimensions, socio-spatial and cultural practices, and sense of happiness and well-being; (b) the articulation between behavioural dimensions, sociocultural dynamics and the environment; (c) the approximation of concepts and categories to understand space from the perspective of different disciplines. Keywords - Attentiveness, socio-territorial relations, walking, urban planning