Autopoietic spatial systems: the significance of actor network theory and system theory for the development of a system theoretical approach of space

This article presents a system theoretical approach to space. Basically, there have been two motivations that led to this approach. Firstly, within German-speaking social geography, a significant tendency can be recognised to understand space (spatiality) as solely determined by social factors. System theory, on the other hand, replaces this causal thinking with a reciprocal relationship of sociality and spatiality. Secondly, several attempts to integrate spatiality into the theory of systems remain unconvincing in certain parts. Even Luhmann, whose work formed the basis of my approach attributed only marginal significance to space in social systems.