Work

For a Restless Radical Geography: Feminist and Anti‐Colonial Openings in Henri Lefebvre's Spatial Revolution

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This is a commentary on Hamish Kallin's 2024 Transactions paper ‘Henri Lefebvre and the spatial revolution that never ends’, a piece that seeks a ‘reconciliation’ between two contrasting traditions, anarchism and Marxism, and calls for the pursuit of a restless radical geography. In my reading, Kallin's invitation is not only an intellectual endeavour but also a task that is (and should be) rooted in the intimate, the emotional and the intuitive. Aligned with Kallin's emphasis on the revolutionary potential embedded in everyday life and inspired by his partially autobiographical style, I offer a parallel reflection that thinks with ‘theory of the flesh’ and draws on my positionality as a scholar from the global South with an interest in postcolonial/decolonial theory and feminist perspectives. Despite known limitations in the work of Lefebvre, there are feminist and anti‐colonial openings in his spatial theory. Uncovering these openings implies navigating epistemological frictions, but this is a move that can potentially allow us to advance radical geography, pushing the boundaries of Marxism. However, we must also be aware of the limitations of this strategy. The journeys towards a spatial revolution might follow paths that do not begin with the Western Left canon.

Source: Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers

DOI: 10.1111/tran.70104

Author: Claudia Fonseca Alfaro

Institution: Karlstad University

Language: English

Topic: Spatial and Cultural Studies

Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070