Conceptualizing the role of occupation in the production of space

Abstract

ABSTRACT The interaction of occupation and space has long been studied in occupational science. Increasingly, occupational scientists take a transactional approach to examine the spatial nature of occupation. Drawing from Lefebvre’s (1991) theory of ‘the production of space’, this paper emphasizes that occupations are inherently spatial, but also that space is produced through occupation. We contend that Lefebvre’s “spatial triad” – conceived, perceived, and lived space as the three components of space production – and his dynamic conceptualization of space challenges a space/place dichotomy. An occupational reading of the spatial triad serves to demonstrate the prominent role of occupation in the production of space and draws attention to its intentionality. Our analysis shows that occupational scientists can contribute to a comprehensive, dynamic, and critical conceptualization of space. Such approaches are useful to critique theories that support and maintain regulatory power dynamics over space and bring novel insights on the spatiality of occupation. While occupation is the visible element of the production of space, Lefebvre’s theory invites us to look beyond, to other elements that are in constant interaction with occupation.