Need help with my writing homework on What does Castells Mean by the Space of Flows. Write a 2750 word paper answering; This paper is being carried out in order to understand the more contemporary application and understanding of space of flows within the context of globalization and all its related elements.
As was mentioned above, space is basically a tool in the expression of society (Francke and Ham, 2006). The relationship between space and society is essentially full of complications, mostly because space does not reflect society, instead, it is an expression of society (Castells, 1996). Under this context, space is not a copy of society, instead, it is a mirror of society. Spatial elements are based on the complexities of the greater social constructions. Moreover, social processes impact space by affecting the created environment drawn from previous societal and spatial elements (Castells, 1996). Space, based on physics cannot be determined beyond the interplay of matter. The social theory discusses that space cannot be evaluated without considering social practices and applications. Castells (1996) assesses space based on material elements and on other material resources, like people, who participate in specific social interactions and social applications. Time and space cannot be evaluated without also considering social actions. Castells (1997) discusses time-sharing social applications and he cites the fact that space considers the practices which take place simultaneously. The distance between material resources and support is no longer essential or significant.
Society is built around flows, including the flow of capital resources, of data, of technology, of organizational relations, of images, sounds, as well as symbols (Castells, 1997). Flows, in other words, include various elements within social organizations that manifest the different processes governing people’s lives. Castells (1997) discusses a spatial form illustrative of social applications that impact and dominate the interactions in society. this is known as the space of flows. Space of flows refers to the “material organization of time-sharing social practices that work through flows” (Francke and Ham, 2006, p. 8). Castells (1997) also discusses flows to be purposeful and repetitive activities of interactions covering physically non-related positions applied by social actors within the various structures of society. This can also be evaluated with the use of various layers and elements of material support which when taken together make up the space of flows.