The spatial dimension of coloniality: an interpretative proposal and other ignored voices

Abstract

This essay addresses the growing interest in the spatial dimension of coloniality. It argues that such an interest is out of step with other fields of Social Science not only because of the coloniality of knowledge that still operates in the disciplines responsible for designing human environment — Architecture, Urban Design and Spatial Planning —, but also the absence of a voice representing these areas inside the first generation of decolonial thinkers. In that sense, the essay vindicates young voices that had studied different manifestations of coloniality in the last ten years based on the concept of "territorial coloniality". To reach those goals, a self-reflexive analysis is used on personal experience linked to decolonial criticism in Architecture, as well as a review of the writings of some other invisible authors. Additionally, the concept of "architectural coloniality" is proposed as a category that describes the systemic nature of the spatial dimension of coloniality.