Cette thèse vise à étudier la géographie urbaine critique en suivant trois groupes contemporains qui s'en réclament : le GESP (Grupo de Estudos sobre São Paulo) au Brésil, Kritische Geographie Berlin en Allemagne et le réseau international INURA (International Network for Urban Research and Action). Cette démarche inspirée des science studies implique de s‘intéresser autant à leurs pratiques qu’aux savoirs qu’ils produisent. Dans cette optique, les idées n’existent que parce qu’elles sont portées, mobilisées et diffusées par des collectifs. A partir des données collectées auprès de ces groupes, il est possible, par recoupements, de définir la géographie urbaine critique par sa position de seuil : au seuil du normatif et du descriptif, de la théorie et de la pratique, aux marges de l’université et des champs scientifiques. Ce travail cherche également à évaluer si les liens entre les trois groupes sont assez denses pour qu’il soit possible de parler d’un courant de pensée mondial. / The aim of this dissertation is to study critical urban geography through three contemporary groups which claim to partake in it : Brazil’s GESP (Grupo de Estudos sobre São Paulo), Germany’s Kritische Geographie Berlin, and the international network of INURA (International Network for Urban Research and Action). This method is inspired by the science studies and implies studying what is being done just as much as whatever theoretical content is being produced. In this view, ideas exist only insofar as they are borne, carried out and broadcast by these groups. From the data collected, it is possible, by crosschecking, to define critical urban geography as « on the threshold » : between the normative and the descriptive, between theory and practice, at the margins of the academic and scientific fields. This research also purports to assess whether the bonds between these groups are strong enough to allow us to talk about a global current of thought.

Architects imagine and reimagine utopia. It is a role with the task to produce cities that are liveable, beautiful, functional, flexible and inclusive. Spaces made for and together with people, and places that meet their needs and dreams. Architects and urban planners don’t plan for the city to be disused, vandalised or constantly decorated and redecorated by an anonymous group, however, it is. Graffiti writing creates a sense of belonging and freedom, a liberating idea that architects, urban planners, and politicians are not alone in forming our spaces and places.  Cities grow, change, are being used, disused, defined and redefined through graffiti. Disobedient and defying activities are constantly happening to our buildings, without the architect’s knowledge or power. The disorder and chaos of graffiti is a contrast to the planned world architects imagine. Architecture depends and affect the social, economic, and political climate of the city—and graffiti are dependent on the external structures as well. An anarchist perspective enables liberating and theoretical tools for reimagining the future. Cities are in a constant process of transformation, in the way authority direct the city—also in how the user protest, disrupt, invade, and navigate space. The future of the city, or a utopia, should be seen as a process and not a final product.  Architecture and urban planning are part of forming the socioeconomic landscape. In order to have an equal city, architecture must acknowledge the social reproduction of space. Furthermore, we can learn how to be situated, in our understanding, viewing, and designing of space. Defying and disorderly elements in the city impacts the built environment and the socioeconomic landscape. Graffiti bring something from working class roots into the city and mediate confrontations between different socio-spatial groups. It allows a discussion on how places can, and should, feel liberating, fun, and flexible—rather than static, forbidden, or inaccessible. Through discussions on graffiti, it’s role and imprint, together on anarchist spatial design and notions on anarchist utopia—this thesis is about confrontations in order to negotiate the city.  Graffiti writing is a disobedient activity that is constantly confronting the rules, the norms, and roles within the city. Through illegal graffiti, I discuss space- and place-making without authority; graffiti as a tool to negotiate the right to the city. The built and planned environment has an important role in shaping socioeconomic landscapes, it can divide people, segregate them, and hand socioeconomic positions—and of course the opposite, bring people together, create affinity and community. Graffiti writing creates confrontation without authority, without being directed and designed by decisionmakers.