‘Mobile Practices’, ‘Mobile Methods’ and Beyond: Studying Railway Mobility Using Lefebvre’s Theory of Space

Abstract

Within mobilities research, the notion of practice significantly influenced the theoretical conceptualisations of the object of study. As has been argued, the theoretical and epistemological orientations of the ‘mobility paradigm’ necessitate methodological innovations to address the fleeting and ephemeral nature of the mobile, including the practices of movement and mobility. A broad body of research has emerged in the recent years that develops, debates and applies ‘mobile methods’ to studying mobile practices in situ. Focusing on praxeological and ‘mobile methods’-based research on rail travel, this study departs from a critique of such studies, arguing that they tend to neglect questions of mobility provision and governance and lend support to certain criticisms levelled against practice theory. Outlining an alternative conceptualisation of an empirical analysis, it proposes that Lefebvre’s theory of space—in which process, movement, practice, networks and connections are implicit—provides a theoretical approach that includes a focus on (spatial) practices and also addresses institutional contexts relevant to the performance of certain practices. It casts light on economic and political rationalities of governing without treating practice as a mere epiphenomenon. Thus, it presents a theoretical heuristic with which it might be possible to enhance or combine practice theoretical analyses with the perspectives of political economy.