Geography of subcultures :punks and non-racist skinheads in Prague

Abstract

This study investigates geographical aspects of subcultures in Prague, specifically two typical examples of so-called youth subcultures - punks and non-racist skinheads. It elicits some of the ways subcultural identity may influence one‘s spatial behaviour, perception, decisionmaking and choice of localities. The research was accomplished by means of qualitative research methods, such as participant observation, structured interviews and informal interviews. More than 30 localities and places within the city were assessed special importance in terms Of their subcultural meaning and the extent to which either punks Or skinheads are linked to them. The paper attempts to explain the formation process of such subcultural centres, describing their essential attributes and outlining their meaning for subcultural members and the subculture itself