The term heterotopy comes from the Greek.
It is formed from the words „hetero“ for “different“ and
„topos“ for „place“. The concept was first used by
Michel Foucault in his philosophy in 1967.
It thus designates spaces or places and their systemic
significance, which have only partially or not
completely implemented the norms given at a given
time or which function according to their own rules.
Foucault assumes that there are spaces that reflect
social conditions in a special way by representing,
negating or reversing them. In addition, all
heterotopias have in common that their respective
social significance is not static, but changes in the
course of their continued existence. (Foucault, 1967)
Various theorists have already dealt comprehensively
with the concept of heterotopia. In the following,
different approaches from different works will be
summarized and explained at the beginning, including
the first book with the title „The Practice Of Everyday
Life“, written by Michel de Certeau.