The theoretical corpus in emerging fields. Notes for a geography of theories

Abstract

From different fields such as research and territorial planning, it is possible to consider to what extent theories used to address and understand certain social phenomena in the territories offer situational results or whether these are simply forced transfer exercises. Depending on the objects of study and units of analysis addressed, there is a challenge to make theoretical and methodological decisions which come from rarely explored specific emerging fields, taking for granted that spaces are containers of theoretical reports, although their production continues without explanation (Roy, 2013). The aim of this article is to open the debate on how social theories can enrich the theoretical-methodological field to bring answers to different problems that research addresses. To this end, the article will focus largely on debate and reflection about cities to discuss methodological issues through the proposal of a "geography of theories". Robinson’s term "geography of theories" refers to the fact that, historically, urban theory was built on a restricted spatiality under the claims of universal knowledge about cities (Segura, 2014). Therefore, the article will advance in the reflection on this geography of theories, to begin to look at other experiences.