Our sense of belonging invariably has some connection to the place of our birth, but in an increasingly fragmented and mobile world, is this really such an important criterion for notions of our identity?

The new wave of environmental politics has seen us become gradually more aware of the natural environment that sustains us, but how do we really relate to the various ‘plots’ of land on which we lead our lives?  Does a more intimate knowledge of the terrain on which we live enhance our interactions with others who share that space?  Can it heighten our sense of community, by emphasising the commonalities and interconnectedness of our relationships with each other?

Place and the relationships with those we live amongst are a critical starting point for a new environmental and social politics which seeks to address widespread and deeply felt anxieties about the perceived decline of community. Growing food schemes and the Big Lunch scheme are recent examples of how these two concerns have meshed together in successful local community regeneration initiatives.

Guardian columnist Madeleine Bunting visits the RSA to investigate our interactions with places, spaces and the people with whom we share them.

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Speakers

• Madeleine Bunting