Suchergebnisse

The impact of economic geography both within and beyond the wider field of geography has been constrained in the past by its own limitations. Drawing together the work of several eminent geographers this superb collection assesses the current state of knowledge in the sub discipline and its future direction. In doing so, the contributors show how economic geographers have offered explanations that affect places and lives in the broader context of the global economy. Offering a discussion of theoretical constructs and methodologies with the purpose to show the need to combine different approaches in understanding spatial (inter) dependencies, contributors also demonstrate the need to engage with multiple audiences, and within this context they proceed to examine how geographers have interfaced with businesses and policy. This excellent collection moves economic geography from a preoccupation with theory towards more rigorous empirical research with greater relevance for public policy. With excellent breadth of coverage, it provides an outstanding introduction to research topics and approaches.

Econ geography is concerned with the intricate sphere of relations between human society & its geographic environment. This involves studying both the laws governing the development of natural complexes & disclosing the possibilities of the utilization, & the soc laws which determine the given way of utilizing labor & natural resources, ie, the specific features of the formation & functioning of productive complexes in geographical space. Econ geography can contribute to development problems by analyses of territorial distribution & the relationship between the geographic environment & the utilization, distribution, combination & interaction of productive forces. 3 basic stages in the formulation of a country's development target may be singled out: (a) establishment of the most acute problems & bottle-necks of pop & economy, their hierarchization & interdependence; (b) identification, registration & appraisal of all potentials & resources for development: & (c) formulation of long-term policies & concrete plans of development. Econ geography can be of important help in these stages as well as in the implementation of development plans, in measuring a country's development by internat'l comparisons, & in the study of regions, in appraising potentials as well as actual resources. Special attention at all stages of planning should be paid to the evaluation & resolution of contradictions such as those, eg, between (1) gov & private viewpoints; (2) a branch & comprehensive (integral) approach; (3) nat'l, regional & local viewpoints; & (4) deriving the maximum econ results from the exploitation of natural resources & the possible future consequences of such exploitation. Planning at the regional level must proceed from targets & funds included in the nation-wide interregional plan. M. Maxfield.