Lecture 1- Introducing Human Geography.pdf

1/11/24 1 What Is Human Geography? 1 Introducing Geography Each discipline studies the world in distinct ways Geography o has its distinct language for description and analysis o maps and measures reality with distinct technologies and social practices o focuses on the interaction of people and plac...

1/11/24 1 What Is Human Geography? 1 Introducing Geography Each discipline studies the world in distinct ways Geography o has its distinct language for description and analysis o maps and measures reality with distinct technologies and social practices o focuses on the interaction of people and places These features help identify o complex human–nature interactions, o complex relationships at different spatial scales 2 1 1/11/24 Defining Human Geography Geo + graphie: literally “writing about” or “describing” the earth Tries to both describe spatial patterns and identify their underlying causes 3 Defining Human Geography, cont’d Physical geography is concerned with the patterns and processes of natural phenomena o Severe weather, landforms, earthquakes, and volcanoes, as well as soil, plant, animal ecology Human geography is concerned with patterns and processes of human phenomena o Development and expansion of urban and rural settlements, food production, patterns of cultural activity, population change, geopolitical relations 4 2 1/11/24 Humans and Land Not the result of any single cause such as climate, physiography, religion or culture 5 Humans and Land The human world is the ever-changing product of the activities of human beings, as individuals and as group members, working within human and institutional frameworks to modify pre-existing physical conditions. 6 3 1/11/24 Humans and Land - Human geographers often focus on the evolution of the human world with reference to people, their cultures, and physical environments. - As human geographers, we are interested in landscape both for what it is and for what it means to live in it. 7 Defining Human Geography, cont’d Three illustrative questions: 1. What is where? 2. Why there? 3. Why care? 8 4 1/11/24 The Goal of Human Geography Writing about the human world to increase our understanding of it. 'Geography is the only subject that asks you to look at the world and try to make sense of it. The field never stops being exciting, that’s what geography is all about—trying to make sense of the world.' (Lewis, 2002: 4) 9 The Geographical Perspective All subdisciplines study difference over space Spatial variation can reveal underlying processes Key concepts help describe and explain difference o Concepts of area o Concepts of movement 10 5 1/11/24 Concepts: Space, Place, and Region Space: an areal extent Location: a specific space Place: a specific location Region: an area defined by shared characteristics Distance: the space between two entities 11 Space Space: an areal extent Absolute space: measured in comparable units Relative/perceptual space: varies between observers o Affected by knowledge, experience o socially-produced and subject to change Mental maps (perceptual maps): internalized perceptions of space Scale: a study area in the context of the whole earth o Different scales may reveal different processes 12 6 1/11/24 Location Location: a specific space Absolute location: constant between observers o Established by overlaying space with a constant grid Relative location: varies with the observer o Usually defined in reference to another location Nominal locations: acquire identity and position through commonly known names o Names reflect complex social relations Site: a place’s internal characteristics Situation: a place’s relative location o Can have physical and social dimensions 13 Place Place: a specific location o A location or type of space with acquired meaning Places evoking communal or personal attachment are said to have a sense of place Highly valued places may be sacred places o Reflect religious symbolism or function o Reflect strong political or communal value Homogenous or standardized places may produce a feeling of placelessness o Fail to produce a sense of place or community 14 7 1/11/24 Place Place: refers not only to a location, but also, and more specifically, to the values we associate with that location 1. A location with a special identity- home, place of worship, the shops etc 2. 'Place' is not about where we live, but rather how and where we live Related concepts: 1. 2. 3. 4. Sense of place Sacred space Placelessness Topophilia/Topophobia 15 Region Region: an area defined by shared characteristics Regionalization: the process of classifying locations Formal (uniform) regions: shared characteristic(s) Functional (nodal) regions: shared function Vernacular (perceptual) regions: shared perception A region’s visible characteristics are often described as its landscape o Cultural landscapes embody meaning and symbolism 16 8 1/11/24 Formal regions Formal region: A cultural region inhabited by people who have one or more cultural traits in common. Arabic speech and wheat cultivation represent concept of formal region at its simplest level – based on a single cultural trait. More commonly, formal regions depend on multiple related traits. o An Inuit (Eskimo) culture region might be based on language, religion, economy, social organization, and type of dwellings. 17 Formal regions Source: Domosh et al. 2015 18 9 1/11/24 The subjectivity of formal culture regions No two cultural traits have the same distribution. Territorial extent of a culture region depends on what and how many defining traits are used. How the geographer chooses to define the region depends on the specific purpose of research or teaching that the region is designed to serve. 19 Functional regions Functional region: A cultural area that functions as a unit politically, socially, or economically. Functional regions have nodes (central points where functions are coordinated and directed). Many (but not all) functional regions have clearly defined borders. Functional regions generally do not coincide spatially with formal regions. 20 10 1/11/24 FIGURE 1.5 Aerial view of Denver. This image clearly illustrates the node of a functional region—here, the dense cluster of commercial buildings—that coordinates activities throughout the area surrounding it (Jim Wark/Airphoto.) Source: Domosh et al. 2015 21 Vernacular Regions Vernacular region: A culture region perceived to exist by its inhabitants, based in the collective spatial perception of the population at large and bearing a generally accepted name or nickname (such as “Dixie”). Some based on physical environmental features, and others on economic, political, or historical characteristics. Generally lack sharp borders, vary in scale, and people may claim residence in more than one. 22 11 1/11/24 Vernacular Regions Vernacular region: A vernacular region is defined by people’s feelings and attitudes about an area. Vernacular regions are more likely than other kinds of regions to change over time. They are also frequently based upon stereotypes, as people's definitions of perceptual regions are influenced by travel, media, reading, films, and conversations. 23 FIGURE 1.7 The Redneck Riviera. The coastline of Florida’s panhandle region is popularly known in Florida and beyond as the Redneck Riviera, though local city governments in the region prefer to call it the Emerald Coast (Nik Wheeler/Corbis.) Source: Domosh et al. 2015 24 12 1/11/24 Distance Distance: the space between two entities o Basis for describing much diversity within areas Standardized units: absolute distance Relative distance varies with experience o o o o Time Cost (economic) Psychological: state of mind Social: relative status 25 Concepts: Interaction, Communication, and Movement Distribution: Patterns identified through varying distances between objects Diffusion: Spatial connections through spread and growth Interaction: a measure of the relationship, through movement or communication, between locations and across space 26 13 1/11/24 Distribution Distribution: Patterns identified through varying distances between objects Components of o Density o Concentration o Pattern 27 Distribution 28 14 1/11/24 Diffusion Diffusion: Spatial connections through spread and growth Culture, people, organisms spread through space Cultural expansion o Relocation o Expansion Types of expansion diffusion o Contagious or “nearest neighbour” o Hierarchical: through place or person hierarchy 29 Diffusion Source: Domosh et al. 2015 30 15 1/11/24 Interaction Space affects interaction o Through distance between locations o Through site specific qualities Distance: Tobler’s first “law” of geography o Everything is related to everything else, but… o …near thing are more related than distant things. 31 Interaction, cont’d Distance decay: The effects of distance on spatial interaction Friction of distance: metaphor o The effect of distance is not static o Affected by technology, other factors 32 16 1/11/24 Interaction, cont’d Site qualities: accessibility and connectivity o Accessibility: Relative ease of interaction and communication o Connectivity: Direct and indirect or intangible connections ! E.g., telephone lines ! E.g., common cultural modes of communication Distance, accessibility, and connectivity can overlap in context 33 Geographic Tools Social sciences share many techniques o E.g., in-depth interviews, formal surveys, fieldwork Geography also has two distinct tools: 1. Maps: used to gather, convey, and analyze spatial information 2. Recent geomatics technologies: enhance gathering, conveying, and analyzing practices 34 17 1/11/24 Maps Map-making can be traced for 8,000 years Diverse practices are found in different cultures o E.g., the rebbelib from the Marshall Islands Advances in systematic mapping 3000 years ago o Eastern Mediterranean, including the Greeks, China, North Africa, South Central Asia Cartography emerged as a science and fine art Maps also embody social power relations o Include and exclude information o Emphasize and de-emphasize through visual technique 35 Maps The GA.SUR or Nuzi Map (c.2200 BCE) 36 18 1/11/24 Maps Mercator’s map of the North Pole, 1595 37 Global Grid Two imaginary arc systems create a reference grid o Absolute space Distances between arcs are measured as angles Arcs of latitude or “parallels” o The sun’s relative position sets the equator o Parallels measured as angles from earth’s centre Arcs of longitude converge at the poles o Political decisions set the prime meridian and international date line o Arcs measured as angles from the earth’s axis 38 19 1/11/24 Latitude Latitude is an angular distance north or south of the equator, measured from the centre of Earth (e.g., 49°N, 12°S). A line connecting all points along the same latitudinal angle is a parallel. Source: Christopherson et al, 2016 39 Longitude Source: Christopherson et al, 2016 40 20 1/11/24 Global Grid, cont’d Time zones were created in the late 19th century Co-ordinate increased international movement Idealized system: 24 zones of 15 degrees Variations show that space is also politically and socially made 41 Global Grid, cont’d 42 21 1/11/24 Map Scale Maps simplify and codify spatial information Scale relates map distance to absolute distance o Expressed mathematically, visually, or verbally o Large scale maps show small areas 43 Map Projection Projections are required to convert three dimensional space into a two dimensional images o Distort size, shape, or distance of actual space o Different projections suit different needs Mercator projection and navigation 44 22 1/11/24 Map Forms and Types Reference maps are designed to illustrate location o Combine selected data as needed ! Natural and built landscape features ! Elevation Thematic maps are designed to illustrate analyses o Illustrate patterns, trends by mapping select measures 45 Map Forms and Types Reference maps Thematic maps 46 23 1/11/24 Map Forms and Types, cont’d Four types of thematic maps 1. Dot maps ! Maps a measurement over an area ! Difference indicated by number of dots of identical value 2. Choropleth map ! Maps a measurement over an area ! Difference indicated by shades or colours 3. Isoline maps ! Link points with the same measurement 4. Cartograms ! Often maps a measurement for an area ! Difference indicated by distortion of area size 47 Map Forms and Types, cont’d 1. Dot maps o Maps a measurement over an area o Difference indicated by number of dots of identical value In this map, the contaminated water pump, which was the source of the cholera outbreak, was located at the intersection of Broad Street and Cambridge Street. 48 24 1/11/24 Map Forms and Types, cont’d 2. Choropleth map o Maps a measurement over an area o Difference indicated by shades or colours 49 Map Forms and Types, cont’d 3. Isopleth maps o Link points with the same measurement On this map, the grey contour lines depict areas of equal elevation (above sea level). On this map, the shift from one contour line to the next reflects an increase or decrease in 40 metres of elevation. Mountain peaks or valleys are quite easily seen on such maps. 50 25 1/11/24 Map Forms and Types, cont’d 4. Cartograms o Often maps a measurement for an area o Difference indicated by distortion of area size The area of each province or territory is scaled to its share of the Canadian population. 51 Spatial Analysis and Geomatics Technologies Geomatics includes four interrelated technologies: o o o o Remote sensing Computer-assisted cartography Global positioning systems (GPS) Geographic information systems (GIS) 52 26 1/11/24 Remote Sensing Increase data perceived by viewing from a distance From simple elevation to satellite imagery Photographs standard for recording until 1960s o Aerial photographs o Recent unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) Satellites measure electromagnetic radiation 53 Computer-Assisted Cartography Changed production, data storage, updating Enabled rapid creation and updating Diffused the production and use of maps o Other disciplines and professions Maps generated from the computer o Loss of drafting skills o Continued need for design skill 54 27 1/11/24 Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellites now track position through transmitters Changing navigation practices Extensive data collection through personal devices Controversies: o Potentially participatory o Privacy and permission problems o Biases: socially variable participation, design limits 55 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Adds analysis to data collection, storage, mapping Can overlay multiple data in a single map Allows spatial analysis Source: Gervais, B., 2018 56 28 1/11/24 People and Places There is no formula for enhancing a general geographical awareness Knowing people, places, and their interactions requires o Constant attention to world, regional, and local events o Evaluation o Relating events to location 57 Conclusion Geography is both broad and practical Links events and process across space Provides practical skills for spatially-related tasks Disciplinary strengths include o A broad perspective on what makes places o Skills for addressing space and place specific questions o Transferable analytical and communication skills 58 29 1/11/24 References Christopherson, R.; Ginger H. Birkeland; Mary-Louise Byrne; Philip T. Giles 2016. Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography (4th Canadian edition). Pearson Education Canada Domosh, M. , Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary Human Geography: Culture, Globalization, Landscape. W.H. Freeman and Company Gervais, B. 2019. Living Physical Geography, 2nd ed., MacMillan Education. 59 30