Re-Urbanity: Urbanising the Rural and Ruralising the Urban

Abstract

In recent years, increased attention has been paid to intermediate zones, especially medium-sized and small-sized areas, which have witnessed new sociospatial dynamics. We discuss a theoretical approach for updating the analysis of the structuring and the functioning of these areas which are searching for an identity. We assume, in particular, that they would express a new spatial model, which is qualified as re-urbanity. We present our arguments by combining rural and urban features and values, enabling us to constitute a comprehensive framework for these emergent sociospatial dynamics.