Economic geography
Introduction
Economic geography is a subfield of geography that studies the location, distribution, and spatial organization of economic activities across the world. It represents a traditional subfield of the discipline of geography. However, in recent years, many economists have also approached the field in ways more typical of the discipline of economics.[1]
Historical Overview
Economic geography has a long history, with roots in the works of the ancient Greeks, who were interested in the spatial distribution of economic activities. The modern discipline, however, began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the work of geographers such as Paul Vidal de la Blache and Carl Sauer.[2]
Concepts and Definitions
Economic geography is primarily concerned with the ways in which economic activity is spatially organized and how this affects and is affected by economic processes. There are several key concepts and definitions that are central to the field.
Location
The concept of location refers to the geographical position of economic activities. This is influenced by a variety of factors, including the availability of resources, the presence of markets, and the cost of transportation.[3]
Distribution
Distribution refers to the way in which economic activities are spread out over space. This can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the nature of the goods or services being produced, the availability of resources, and the presence of markets.[4]
Spatial Organization
Spatial organization refers to the way in which economic activities are arranged in space. This can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the nature of the goods or services being produced, the availability of resources, and the presence of markets.[5]
Theoretical Approaches
There are several theoretical approaches that have been used to study economic geography, including the location theory, regional science, and the new economic geography.
Location Theory
Location theory is a body of theories that seek to explain the locational pattern of economic activities, including why economic activities are located where they are and patterns of trade and communication.[6]
Regional Science
Regional science is a field of the social sciences concerned with analytical approaches to problems that are specifically urban, regional, or rural. It involves the study of spatial patterns of human activity and the processes that produce these patterns.[7]
New Economic Geography
The new economic geography is a term used in two ways in the international literature. First, and foremost, it is used as the work done by Paul Krugman and other economists, who developed abstract models to theories of spatial economic development.[8]
Applications
Economic geography has many practical applications, including urban planning, regional development, and international trade.
Urban Planning
In urban planning, economic geography can be used to understand the spatial organization of economic activities in cities and to guide the location of new developments.[9]
Regional Development
In regional development, economic geography can be used to understand the economic strengths and weaknesses of different regions and to guide policies aimed at promoting economic development.[10]
International Trade
In international trade, economic geography can be used to understand the spatial patterns of trade and the impact of trade policies.[11]
See Also
References
- ↑ Clark, G.L., Feldman, M.P. & Gertler, M.S. (2000). The Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- ↑ Peet, R. (1998). Modern Geographical Thought. Oxford: Blackwell.
- ↑ Krugman, P. (1991). Geography and Trade. Leuven: Leuven University Press.
- ↑ Fujita, M., Krugman, P. & Venables, A.J. (1999). The Spatial Economy: Cities, Regions, and International Trade. Cambridge: MIT Press.
- ↑ Scott, A.J. (2000). Economic Geography: The Great Half Century. Cambridge Journal of Economics, 24(4), 483-504.
- ↑ Isard, W. (1956). Location and Space-economy: A General Theory Relating to Industrial Location, Market Areas, Land Use, Trade, and Urban Structure. Cambridge: MIT Press.
- ↑ Isard, W. (1956). Methods of Regional Analysis: An Introduction to Regional Science. Cambridge: MIT Press.
- ↑ Krugman, P. (1991). Increasing Returns and Economic Geography. Journal of Political Economy, 99(3), 483-499.
- ↑ Simmonds, R. & Hack, G. (2000). Global City Regions: Their Emerging Forms. London: Spon Press.
- ↑ Storper, M. (1997). The Regional World: Territorial Development in a Global Economy. New York: Guilford Press.
- ↑ Krugman, P. & Obstfeld, M. (2009). International Economics: Theory and Policy. Boston: Pearson.