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The origins of logistics lie in military and imperial methods of expansion and control of geographical space. It is principally associated with the more recent contexts of business management and engineering. Logistics systems are now the conveyor belts of the global system of trade, commerce and production, and its associated techniques and strategies aim at optimizing flows and throughput within discrete units (such as firms), in economic networks and across geographical space. Because flows are important determinants for the development of places, logistics has the power to structure territories. Therefore, it has raised considerable interest in the field of geography, not only with regard to cities and their dense agglomeration of people, buildings and infrastructure, but also in geopolitical terms as it fosters the exploration, control and surveillance of areas. The paper presents a critical account of logistics operations and their relevance for the making (and unmaking) of territories, related policy dimensions and future challenges for research.

Der Beitrag thematisiert Suburbanisierung als ein seit der Nachkriegszeit bestimmendes Element der Raumentwicklung in Deutschland und Mitteleuropa. Dazu werden suburbane Räume als Teil der Großstadtregionen behandelt. Neben einem Überblick über den Stand der Forschung zur Suburbanisierung wird ein besonderes Augenmerk auf Fragen von Diskurs, Politik und Planung gelegt.

This paper (written in German) provides a reflection on a conceptual framework for transforming mobility policies and practices. It was developed in Germany in the context of the then emerging idea for transforming energy policies (Energiewende). The aim was to put together related concepts for the sustainable development of the demand for, and supply of, mobility and transport and related contexts (Verkehrswende). It was first presented in book format 25 years ago. On that occasion, and since the term has gained some attention and recognition in political realms recently, the concept is subject to a critical reflection from today's perspective.

AbstractThe emerging discourses on world cities and Global Commodity Chains are valuable spatial frameworks for conceptualizing globalization and its spatial consequences. However, both discourses have one thing in common: they neglect the territorial and thus physical dimension of global flows. Hence, in this article I take the perspective of material flows to reconnect the discourses on cities and chains. I aim to clarify the role of urban places and their ability to attract, manage and redirect flows in such networks. I do so by re‐examining classical concepts of spatial interaction and reorganization in human geography, with particular reference to centrality and intermediacy. The case of seaports and port cities is further explored to demonstrate the concrete conflicts and opportunities that arise with chain developments and insertion. To determine the relative position of places with regard to global chains and flows, Sheppard's concept of 'positionality' is discussed.