Territories : from fate to designs

Reduced energy prices have enabled us to operate on a global scale and to be in contact with anyone, anywhere, anytime easily. They have also opened up the possibility to everyone of more long-distance movement, and almost free digital communication. However, the world suddenly changed. The energy crisis, and then the economic crisis forced part of the population to restrict its mobility, to refocus on its local area, its garden and home-grown cooking, and to create new connections centred around one's close community. Communication technologies are being re-orientated around relationships with neighbours which may be either for practical or friendly purposes. Jean Ollivro, a geographer specialising in physical distance, has noticed the emergence of this new society, and classified it into four models which he has called 'The strapping lad', 'Swann in Love', 'Move in order to cope' and 'All into the shelter !'