In a context of increasing aestheticization of lifestyles, consumption, and the design of inhabited spaces, the phenomenon of agglomeration of artistic, cultural, and creative activities is one of the main subjects of attention in scientific literature focusing on the spatial and territorial dynamics of urban societies. The aim of this Chapter 1 is to revisit the theoretical foundations of this phenomenon. It will present: (1) the determinants of the spatial concentration of specialized activities and its implications in terms of innovation; (2) the manner in which this geographical concentration interacts with the social organization of the territory, particularly through communities; and finally (3) the role played by territorial attributes (social structures, urban morphology, etc.) in these processes, allowing us to consider urban space as more than just a neutral receptacle. The full chapter and book are available in open access: https://doi.org/10.60666/sed8-q492

In a context of increasing aestheticization of lifestyles, consumption, and the design of inhabited spaces, the phenomenon of agglomeration of artistic, cultural, and creative activities is one of the main subjects of attention in scientific literature focusing on the spatial and territorial dynamics of urban societies. The aim of this Chapter 1 is to revisit the theoretical foundations of this phenomenon. It will present: (1) the determinants of the spatial concentration of specialized activities and its implications in terms of innovation; (2) the manner in which this geographical concentration interacts with the social organization of the territory, particularly through communities; and finally (3) the role played by territorial attributes (social structures, urban morphology, etc.) in these processes, allowing us to consider urban space as more than just a neutral receptacle. The full chapter and book are available in open access: https://doi.org/10.60666/sed8-q492