Within the field of urban studies, the ‘moving body’ is a rather neglected topic. Yet the study of daily routines and city experience provide a fertile ground for urban research (J. Dewey; G. Bridge). Residents living somewhere for a long period of time may possess expert knowledge about their environment. One may document and study this body-related knowledge and discuss it with those involved. Such a 'deliberation’ deals with questions that are in essence political (Jacques Rancière): what does it mean to live here; how can we put this on the agenda; what do we want to do, to show to those who govern or design the city?

Paul Blondeel studied adult education and founded studio stadsonderzoek [studio for urban research], a platform on socially sustainable development. The studio specializes in mapping the everyday, especially in disadvantaged neighbourhoods (previous research in Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam). He lectures ‘analysis of the public space’ at the VUB (Cosmopolis) and conducts ethnographic research in urban contexts (University of Antwerp).