Nocturnal Spatialities of Dakar: Refiguration Through the Prism of Temporality.

Spaces are often considered material objects through which their morphologies, or the interactions that make them unique, can be understood. They reveal the challenges and the multiple forms of spatialization of the society that produces them. Shaped by those who inhabit them, they allow for spatialities and territorialize activities, which are illustrated by the modes of diffusion. Reconfigurations are typically examined from a spatial perspective, which obscures the role of temporality. The interplay among actors who print variations and redeploy centralities remains under-explored. Dakar, located in Senegal, is a city that experiences a surge in activity during nocturnal hours, with a vibrant blend of leisure, work, and mobility. The city’s advancement in lighting technology has played a significant role in enhancing its nighttime ambiance and safety. Through direct field observation, this study explores the “night of Dakar” to detect the spatial elements that reconfigure the nocturnal environment. The results show spatialities linked to dominant night-time activities such as transportation, commerce, and leisure. They also reveal a multicentric city with an asymmetrical distribution of centres and peripheries.