Rhythmanalysis of Switzerland

Abstract

Rhythmanalysis is a valuable analytical approach for charting daily rhythms, both for individuals and at the collective level, in order to feel the pulse of a territory and understand the way in which it is inhabited in terms of both space and time. Conceptually, the paper illustrates the importance of understanding the rhythms of territories in order to move beyond traditional spatial typologies, which focus mainly on functional and demographic aspects, by looking through the three-dimensional lens of time geography to focus on the potential behaviours in which individuals may engage in a given space at a given time, taking into account any constraints. The analyses reveal significant differences in different spaces in terms of rhythmic intensities and the types of activities practised. This spatio-temporal approach makes it possible to deploy a new reading grid of territorial differentiations and, more generally, to refocus on the issue of urbanisation and metropolisation, based on the rhythms of daily life of the residents. Such an approach facilitates an understanding of the urban phenomenon that goes beyond strictly functional aspects to focus on the way in which territories are inhabited both in space and in time.