Unifying Geography Common Heritage, Shared Future

About this book

It can be argued that the differences in content and approach between physical and human geography, and also within its sub-disciplines, are often overemphasised. The result is that geography is often seen as a diverse and dynamic subject, but also as a disorganised and fragmenting one, without a focus. Unifying Geography focuses on the plural and competing versions of unity that characterise the discipline, which give it cohesion and differentiate it from related fields of knowledge. Each of the chapters is co-authored by both a leading physical and a human geographer, on the nature of geography. Themes identified include those of the traditional core as well as new and developing topics that are based on subject matter, concepts, methodology, theory, techniques and applications. Through its identification of unifying themes, the book will provide students with a meaningful framework through which to understand the nature of the geographical discipline. Unifying Geography will give the discipline renewed strength and direction, thus improving its status both within and outside geography.

Contents

Foreword Preface List of Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Part 1: General Introduction 1. Geography: Roots and continuities David T. Herbert and John A. Matthews Part 2: Geographical Methodologies Introduction John A. Matthews and David T. Herbert 2. Exploration, Discovery and the Cartographic Tradition Peter Vincent and Ian Whyte 3. Fieldwork and Unity in Geography David R. Stoddart and William M. Adams 4. The Potential of Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems Paul A. Longley and Mike Barnsley Part 3: A Focus on Environment Introduction John A. Matthews and David T. Herbert 5. Environmentalism and Geography: The great debate? Peter Beaumont and Chris Philo 6. Beyond Environmentalism: Towards sustainability Timothy O'Riordan 7. Human Vulnerability, Past Climatic Variability and Societal Change David Taylor and Anna R. Davies Part 4: The Significance of Place Introduction David T. Herbert and John A. Matthews 8. Regions, Area Studies and the Meaning of Place Tim Unwin and Jim Rose 9. Globalisation: A spatial perspective Wayne K.D. Davies Part 5: Landscape: The Face of Geography Introduction John A. Matthews and David T. Herbert 10. Landscape as Form, Process and Meaning Richard Huggett and Chris Perkins 11. Landscape and Culture Lesley Head Part 6: Applied Geography: Contributing to real-world problem solving Introduction David T. Herbert and John A. Matthews 12. Natural Hazards on an Unquiet Earth David E. Alexander 13. Urbanisation, Development and the Environment in an Unequal World Ian Douglas and Alan G. Gilbert 14. Conservation, Preservation and Heritage Michael E. Meadows and Maano F. Ramutsindela Part 7: Broader Frameworks in Theory and Practice Introduction David T. Herbert and John A. Matthews 15. Space, Time and Science: Towards a geographical philosophy Keith Richards, Michael Bithell and Michael Bravo 16. Geography and Public Policy: A political turn Brian Robson and Elizabeth Shove Part 8: General Conclusion 17. Unity in Geography: Prospects for the Discipline John A. Matthews and David T. Herbert

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