Development geography

As Development Studies in Geography (also Geogr Development Studies, Eng. Development geography ) is called within the geography, which deals with the relationship between development and spatial structures, processes and functions of a research direction. It therefore represents the contribution of geography to the development of research dar. As Applied research direction, it provides insights for development planning and development cooperation. The Geographical Development research takes into account the human-environment relations and spatial distribution and linkage of the factors of development processes and thus forms an interface between the social and the natural sciences.

History

The beginnings of the field of research lie in the colonial geography, as geographers explored the overseas territories. Later approaches were strongly influenced länderkundlich and descriptive. From the 1970s onwards increasingly joined a theoretical and explanatory analysis of development and underdevelopment, and the integration of quantitative methods in the foreground.

Research Areas

Geographical development research is increasingly linking human and Physiogeographical issues. This is augmented with neighboring disciplines (eg, ecology, economics, sociology ) cooperates. Today, the Geographical Development Research employs, among others, the following topics:

• Phenomenon of spatial fragmentation
• Relationship between humans and the environment
• Vulnerability of socio-economic and ecological systems
• Globalization and regionalization
• Access and protection of natural resources

Methods

As the geography itself, the Geographical Development Research indicates a pronounced methodological pluralism. Methods commonly used are, inter alia:

• Remote sensing, geographic information systems and field mapping
• Statistical Methods
• Empirical Social Research
• Mental Maps (perception Geography)