Exploring the centrality and constraints of the body: walking ethnography in Comuna 13 of Medellín

Abstract This paper discusses the centrality and constraints of the body based on an ethnographic fieldwork in Comuna 13 of Medellín, Colombia. On one hand, the author highlights the methodological advantages of the body, supported by photography, to generate embodied, situated, “emplaced” knowledge. Conversely, the author acknowledges the inherent constraints of relying solely on the body to navigate the complex interplay between structural forces and lived experiences. To address this, this paper proposes integrating the embodied-visual approach with the “assemblage theory.” By combining these two approaches, this paper aims to contribute to the discussions about the body and to offer insights for scholars engaged in urban studies.