ABSTRACT
The economy transforms much more slowly and much more path-dependently than suggested by economic theories and Löw and Knoblauch’s concept of the refiguration of spaces. This chapter provides an alternative to other prevailing explanations for this sluggishness of spatial transformations: the spatial and temporal coupling of institutions. Using the example of consumer–retailer interactions in West German cities, we show (a) how consumers (demand side) couple shopping with other everyday activities and (b) how retailers (supply side) couple their outlets with other retailers and social institutions, but also (c) how demand and supply side are coupled and (d) how this coupling is embedded in the material urban structure, (e) which in turn is at the root of the slowness in spatial transformations.
