On Heterotopia of a Commodified Dwelling Space (Case of Baikalsk)

Abstract

In the article, we examine the phenomenon of short-term apartment rentals for tourists by the residents of the city of Baikalsk. The residents live in their apartments for the most part of their lives, but leave at the moment of the apartment’s rental. We base our analysis on the field studies (interviews and observations) conducted in Baikalsk in 2006–2016, as well as statistical data and Internet sources. In order to grasp the complexity of the studied phenomenon, the concept of heterotopia was chosen. This allowed us to overcome the “public/private” dichotomy in identifying the following features of the phenomenon of short-term rental: (1) the informal character of home rental; (2) the ability to associate in one place private and public spaces, traditionally perceived as incompatible; (3) network relations between tenants and hosts; (4) the emerging heterochrony as a result of apartment owners changing their habits and rituals when leaving their private space, while the tenants associate the rented space with recreation and entertainment. The home rental practice might be considered as an art of solving some practical problems. Such skills are especially relevant in case of societies undergoing transition from one state to another. In the globalizing world, almost all communities can be characterized as such to some degree.