Research Directions, Challenges and Achievements of Modern Geography (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences)

This book identifies and discusses research directions, challenges and achievements in contemporary geography. It also documents the most current theoretical and methodological considerations undertaken by scientists representing various sub-disciplines of geography with particular reference to human geography. It was assumed that the thematic structure of the currently active International Geographical Union (IGU) problem commissions corresponds to the most relevant and current research directions in geography. Reflecting this assumption, the book consists of 14 chapters contributed by geographers representing 14 problem commissions of the IGU, which allows us to examine geography from different perspectives and to provide the reader with a complete overview of contemporary research issues in human geography. The first part discusses contemporary research problems and issues related to scientific methodology and achievements of selected geographical sub-disciplines, including urban geography, agricultural geography, transport geography, and political geography, among others. The second part focuses on the interdisciplinarity of geography and the topics of global dimension undertaken by geographers such as global change, GIS and geospatial technology, marginalization, and environmental change. This part also discusses the internal relations between geographical specializations and their links with other related sciences, including geology, sociology, and economics. The third part discusses the holistic approaches of geography applied to particular regions, territories, or conditions (Africa, costal systems, geomorphology and local development). Preface The Legacy of an Exceptional Geographer: Prof. R. B. Singh Contents Part I Research Issues and Challenges in Geographical Disciplines 1 (Re-)Thinking Cities and the Urban: From the Global to the Local 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Urban Geographies in Transition 1.3 The IGU Urban Geography Commission 1.4 An Approach to the Debates 1.5 Conclusion References 2 From The New World to Multiple Possible Worlds: Political Geography, Geopolitics, and Border Studies 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Territorial Conflicts and the American Century: The New World: Problems in Political Geography (Bowman 1922) 2.3 Geopolitics: From Geopolitik to Critical and Feminist Geopolitics, and Beyond 2.4 Borders: From International Boundaries to Multidimensional Bordering Processes 2.5 Other Possible Worlds: The Multiterritorial Character of the Decolonial Turn in Latin American Geographies: Território e descolonialidade (Haesbaert 2021) 2.6 Research Agenda for Political Geography References 3 New and Emerging Pathways for Transport Geography 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Epistemology and Social Theories 3.3 Urban Transport 3.4 Long-Distance Travel and the Environment 3.4.1 Summary with Geographical Aspects 3.5 Rethinking the Link Between Transport Geography and Spatial Planning 3.6 Linking Spaces, Places, and Time 3.6.1 Transport Studies Challenged by Ubiquitous Data 3.6.2 Renewing the Conceptual Framework 3.6.3 Expanding the Methodological Framework 3.7 New (Big) Data Sources 3.8 Visualising Transport Geography 3.9 Conclusions References 4 Geography and Geographers in Place and Time: A View from the International Geographical Union’s Commission on the History of Geography 4.1 Introduction 4.2 A Brief History of the Commission on the History of Geography 4.3 Geographers: Biobibliographical Studies—Mapping Geographers’ Lives and Works 4.4 Key Themes and Approaches in the History and Philosophy of Geography 4.5 Conclusions and Prospects References 5 Innovative Development of Modern Agricultural Geographic Engineering 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Research Progress of Agricultural Geographic Engineering 5.2.1 Agricultural Geography 5.2.2 Land Engineering 5.2.3 Review of Research Direction 5.3 Theoretical Analysis of Agricultural Geographic Engineering 5.3.1 Scientific Connotation 5.3.2 Research Scope and Content 5.3.3 Research Framework and Key Areas 5.3.4 Research Objectives and Principles 5.3.5 Application and Implementation Path 5.4 Future Research Prospects 5.4.1 Opportunities and Challenges 5.4.2 Prospects for Future Research References Part II The Interdisciplinary Nature of Modern Geography 6 Integrating Geography for Global Sustainability and the Earth’s Future: The Role of International Geographical Union Commission on Geography for Future Earth 6.1 Global Challenges for Sustainability 6.2 Geography and Sustainability 6.2.1 Research Progress on Geography and Sustainability 6.2.2 Frameworks for Geography and Sustainability Research 6.3 Promoting Geography for Sustainability 6.3.1 Integrating Research on Multiple Interactions of Water, Soil, Air, and Ecosystem Processes 6.3.2 Cascades of Ecosystem Structure, Functions, and Services 6.3.3 Feedback Mechanisms of Natural and Social Systems 6.3.4 The Mechanisms, Approaches, and Policies of Sustainable Development 6.3.5 Data, Models, and Simulation of Sustainable Development 6.4 IGU commission on Geography for Future Earth: Coupled Human–Earth Systems for Sustainability 6.4.1 Mission of IGU-GFE 6.4.2 Thematic Areas of IGU-GFE 6.4.3 Commission Tasks 6.4.4 Efforts Made by the IGU-GFE 6.5 Summary References 7 Global Change and Human Mobility in the Anthropocene 7.1 Introduction. Human Mobility in Post-Pandemic Times 7.2 Topics, Scope, and Perspectives of the Research in Human Mobility References 8 Contribution of Geography and Geospatial Technology to Cope with Hazards and Risks: Implications of GIS Development in Japan 8.1 Background 8.2 Hazards, Risks, and Geography 8.3 Development of GIS and Related Issues in Japan in Response to Disasters 8.3.1 Gas Explosion in Osaka, 1970 8.3.2 Great Hanshin Earthquake, 1995 8.3.3 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, 2011 8.4 Recent Hazard Maps in Japan and Future Perspectives 8.5 Concluding Remarks References 9 Marginality Issues in a Time of World Reorganization 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Marginality at the Centre of an IGU Commission 9.2.1 Historical Setting 9.2.2 Navigating Marginality Through the World and Through Time 9.3 Marginality and Power Relations in an Era of Global Changes 9.3.1 Geographical Lenses on Processes That Change Our World 9.4 Walking Blindfolded in a New World References 10 Land Use and Land Cover Changes in a Global Environmental Change Context—The Contribution of Geography 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Achievements of the IGU LUCC Commission in Theory and Practice 10.3 Long-Term Land Use Changes Research 10.4 Corine Land Cover—A Unique Europe-Wide Land Monitoring Database 10.5 Remote Sensing Data for Land Use/Land Cover Monitoring 10.6 Modelling Land Use and Land Cover Change 10.7 Conclusions References Territorial Dimension of Geographical Topics 11 Coastal Systems: The Dynamic Interface Between Land and Sea 11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 Biophysical Description of Coasts 11.1.2 Coastal System Functioning 11.1.3 Remote Sensing of the Coast 11.1.4 Issues of Scale and Resolution 11.1.5 Global Syntheses of Coastal Systems 11.2 Anthropogenic Impacts 11.2.1 Population Pressures 11.2.2 Cumulative Human Impacts 11.2.3 Additional Stresses Due to Climate Change and the Need for Coastal Management 11.3 Sea-Level Rise and Adaptation on the Coast 11.3.1 Vulnerability and Adaptation 11.4 Summary References 12 Advances in Karst Geomorphology and Hydrogeology Research in the Last Decade and Its Future Direction for Karst Land Use Planning 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Research Themes and Progress in Karst Geomorphology and Related Subjects 12.3 Recent Methods and Approach of Data Acquisition and Analyses in Karst Geomorphological Research and Related Subjects 12.4 Research Theme and Progress in Karst Hydrogeology 12.5 Recent Methods and Approach of Data Acquisition and Analyses in Karst Hydrogeological Research 12.6 Morpho-Hydrogeological Approach: A Future Direction in Karst Land Use Planning 12.7 Conclusion References 13 Achievements and Challenges of Geographical Research in Africa 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Background and Context 13.3 Geographical Research in Africa: 1980s-Mid-1990s 13.4 Challenges and Achievements of Geographical Research: Mid-1990s to 2016 13.5 Geographical Achievements and Challenges: 2017-To the Present 13.6 Achievements of Geographical Research in Africa: Theory, Methodology and Practice 13.7 Conclusion References 14 Issues and Dilemmas of Local and Regional Development in Geographical Research 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Local and Regional Development in the Subject literature—selected Examples 14.3 Dilemmas Characterising Local and Regional Development as Manifested in Practical Action 14.4 Activity of the IGU’s Commission on Local and Regional Development 14.5 Summary References