From Coordinating in Space to Coordinating through Space

Abstract

In this study we examine the role of physical space in the coordination of crisis response operations. Drawing on Lefevbre’s theory of spatial production, we build on a case study exploring the unfolding spatial coordination practices of relief organizations in a refugee camp in Uganda. Our study yielded three main results. First, we show how coordination happens not only in space but through space. The actors we observed both designed and enacted physical space in their efforts at coordinating the relief operations. Second, we identified three different practices of spatial coordination, which we termed authoritarian spatial coordination, responsive spatial coordination and collaborative spatial coordination. Third, building on a process model of spatial coordination practices we show how the successive combination of different spatial practices allow balancing coordinative complexity.