“Geopetic Navigation Notebooks": A Humanistic approach to Understanding Place

Abstract

This article proposes a reflection on the current relationship between humans and the Earth, highlighting how contemporary human practices have shaped and, at times, compromised the authenticity of the experience of inhabiting the world. Based on geopoetics, a theory developed by Kenneth White (1989-2019), the study seeks to transcend traditional scientific rationality, offering a deeper and more sensitive understanding of geographical space, that is, a humanistic approach to place. The aim is to present the methodology of “geopoetic navigation notebooks,” proposed by Rachel Bouvet, which integrates scientific knowledge and literary creation, valuing human experience and creativity as authentic ways of inhabiting the world. The research, qualitative in nature and grounded in Humanist Geography, utilized bibliographic review and practical exploration of the principles of geopoetics. The results indicate that the methodology proposed by Bouvet provides a new way of interacting with the environment, enriching the understanding of geographical space and reinforcing the importance of experience and creativity in meaning-making. The research suggests that by adopting practices that value sensitivity and imagination, it is possible to rediscover the essence of the act of inhabiting, in contrast to the exploratory logic of modern technique. Thus, the article contributes to the discussion on the relevance of a humanistic and creative approach in interacting with the environment, fostering a critical reflection on the relationship between humans and geographical space.