Psychogeography is the exploration of urban environments that emphasizes interpersonal connections to places and arbitrary routes. It was developed by members of the Lettrist International and Situationist International, which were revolutionary groups influenced by Marxist and anarchist theory as well as the attitudes and methods of Dadaists and Surrealists. In 1955, Guy Debord defined psychogeography as “the study of the precise laws and specific effects of the geographical environment, consciously organized or not, on the emotions and behavior of individuals.” One of the key tactics for exploring psychogeography is the loosely defined urban walking practice known as the dérive. As a practice and theory, psychogeography has influenced a broad set of cultural actors, including artists, activists, and academics.

Psychogeography is the intersection of psychology and geography, focusing on our psychological experiences of the city and revealing or illuminating forgotten, discarded, or marginalized aspects of the urban environment. The theory and practice of psychogeography have been around since 1955 when French theorist Guy Debord coined the term. While it emerged from the Situationist International movement in France, the practice has far-reaching implications.

Psychogeographers advocate the act of becoming lost in the city through the dérive, or “drift.” Purposeful walking often prevents individuals from adequately absorbing certain aspects of the urban world, which is why the drift is essential to psychogeography as it better connects walkers to the city. Psychogeographers idolize the flâneur, a figure conceived in 19th-century France by Charles Baudelaire and popularized in academia by Walter Benjamin in the 20th century. The flâneur is a romantic stroller who wanders the streets with no clear purpose other than to wander.

Psychogeography is a way to delve into the soul of a city by examining its hidden layers and exploring the emotional and behavioral effects of different geographical environments. It allows for a greater understanding of the connections between individuals and their surroundings, promoting a deeper awareness of urban spaces and their impact on our lives. Through practices like the dérive, psychogeographers encourage a more immersive and subjective experience of the city, challenging conventional ways of interacting with and perceiving urban environments.

Psychogeography has influenced various cultural fields, including art, activism, and academia. Artists often incorporate psychogeographic ideas and techniques into their work, using the exploration of urban environments to inform their creative process and challenge traditional notions of space and place. Activists utilize psychogeography to critique and reimagine urban spaces, focusing on issues such as gentrification, public access, and social inequality. Academics draw on psychogeographic concepts to analyze and understand the complex relationships between individuals and the built environment, exploring topics such as urban planning, architecture, and the politics of space.

Overall, psychogeography offers a unique approach to understanding and engaging with urban environments. By emphasizing personal connections to places and adopting unconventional routes, psychogeographers seek to uncover the hidden layers and subjective experiences of the city. This interdisciplinary practice has influenced a diverse range of cultural actors and continues to be a valuable tool for exploring the emotional, social, and spatial dimensions of urban life.