ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the ways in which hope emanates from different understandings of space and place as illustrated by six theoretical traditions in the sub-discipline. Theoretical traditions are spatial and population science, political economy, humanism, social constructionism/constructivism, relational thinking and theory and non-representational theory (NRT). Whilst the aforementioned relational forms of understanding are insightful, a new paradigm of post-structuralist relational thinking known as NRT helps geographers think about how space and place is itself relationally performed. First, NRT presents the 'onflow' of life; the moving frontier of existence as it rolls out creating new space and time. Second, NRT sets out to focus on practice and performance, the expressive and felt engagement of the body, bodies together and bodies and objects together, including their spacings and timings. To summarise the discussion and points thus far, each theoretical orientation in geographical gerontology promotes different ideas about space and place that, in turn, facilitate different forms and foundations of hope.
