Economic Geography: An Introduction

1. Economic Geography: An Introduction Lecture 1 Egeo312 Geography & Econ Geog Definition

2. Define Geography Focusing on Human Geography What do Geographers do Discuss application of Geography to the World Subfield of Economic Geography Discuss major Paradigms for understanding our world Today’s Objectives Geography & Econ Geog Definition

3. Definition of Human Geography Simple definition: Geography is a discipline concerned with: Why things are located where they are. Stutz and Warf Geography & Econ Geog Definition

4. Expansion on this • Is a science that deals with two questions: • Where are things – Looks at and for PATTERNS • Why/How things are at a location – Looks at and for PROCESSES • James Rubenstein Geography & Econ Geog Definition

5. Richer Definition of Geography • “Geography (geo, “Earth,” and graphein “to write”) is the science that studies the relationships among • geographic areas, • natural systems, • society, • cultural activities, • and the interdependence of these over space.” • Christopherson Geography & Econ Geog Definition

6. Simpler Definition of Geography • A quick and simple definition of Geography thus may be: "the study of the way in which society organizes itself in space".Krumme one of my old Prof’s at UW Geography & Econ Geog Definition

7. Five Fundamental themes of Geography Geography & Econ Geog Definition

8. The Five Fundamental Themes of Human Geography identify the core of geography as a discipline. 1-LOCATION : Position on the Earth's Surface.2-PLACE : Physical and Human Characteristics 3-RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN PLACES : Humans and Environment.4-MOVEMENT (relationships between places): Humans Interacting on the Earth.5-REGIONS : How they form and Change. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

9. 1. Location : Position on the Earth's Surface. • Absolute– usually based on coordinate systems • Example: Bellingham is at ____ lat ____ long • Relative– relative to other entities • Adjacent to resources • On a network with other places • Example – Bellingham is located between the Cities of Vancouver and Seattle Geography & Econ Geog Definition

10. PLACE : Physical and Human Characteristics of/at a locationSITE • Give Meaning and distinction • Physical characteristics derive from the geological, hydrological, atmospheric, and biological processes that produce land forms, water bodies, climate, soils, natural vegetation, and animal life Geography & Econ Geog Definition

11. 2. PLACE • Example -- Bellingham Some Physical Characteristics • Geological – in the Fraser Lowland & Chuckanut Highlands • Hydrological – drained by Whatcom Creek and fed by Lake Whatcom • Water bodies – between Lake Whatcom (east) & Bellingham Bay (west) • Climate - mild, maritime climate with temperatures ranging from 45 to 60 degrees in spring and fall, 30 to 50 degrees in winter… • Etc… Geography & Econ Geog Definition

12. 2. PLACE : Physical and Human Characteristics • Human Characteristics • Places differ in their population size and density, settlement patterns, architecture, kinds of economic and recreational activities, transportation, communication networks, culture, language, ideology, philosophy… Geography & Econ Geog Definition

13. 2. PLACE • Example -- Bellingham Some Human Characteristics • Population – 71289 (est 2003) • Largest Employer – Western Washington University • “City of subdued excitement” • Etc… Geography & Econ Geog Definition

14. 2. PLACE Metropolitan Area Residents 1980: 107,000 1990: 127,780 2000: 166,814 Percent change, 1990–2000: 30.5% U.S. rank in 2000: 185th City Residents 1980: 45,794 1990: 52,179 2000: 67,171 2003 estimate: 71,289 Percent change, 1990–2000: 28.7% U.S. rank in 1980: 466th U.S. rank in 1990: 477th (State rank: 9th) U.S. rank in 2000: 461st (State rank: 10th) Density: 2,619.3 people per square mile (2000) Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000) White: 59,031 Black or African American: 655 American Indian and Alaska Native: 997 Asian: 2,853 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 116 Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 3,111 Other: 1,450 • Example -- Bellingham Some Human - Demographic Characteristics Geography & Econ Geog Definition

15. 3a. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN PLACES : Humans and Environment. • All places on earth have advantages and disadvantages for human settlement. • Name some for the PacNW in regards to the Environment Geography & Econ Geog Definition

16. 3b. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN PLACES : Humans and Environment. • People modify and adapt to natural settings in ways that reveal their cultural values, economic and political circumstances, and technological abilities. • What happened with European arrival here • What about the Hong Kongese in Vancouver in the 1990s? Geography & Econ Geog Definition

17. Richmond BC Geography & Econ Geog Definition

18. 3c. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN PLACES : Humans and Environment. • The resulting human- environment relationships have consequences for people and for the environment • Produce a worldwide mosaic of patterns dependent upon culture and environment. • Each place has its distinctive patterns of human- environment relationships. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

19. 4-MOVEMENT/NETWORKS : Humans Interacting on the Earth.SITUATION • Human beings are unevenly distributed across the face of the earth. • People interact with each other through travel and communication Map of international phone-call traffic in 2005, from Telegeography. The map shows the disproportionate centrality of the USA in international telephone traffic. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

20. 4-MOVEMENT/NETWORKS : Humans Interacting on the Earth.SITUATION • The most visible evidences of global interdependence and the interaction are trade, transportation and communication systems that link the world World at night Geography & Econ Geog Definition

21. Emma Maersk, Wal-Mart gets its stuff from China with this ship http://www.livevideo.com/video/B19875CAF3804410B75CA59C57B845B2/big-ship-emma-maersk-wal-ma.aspx

22. 5a. REGIONS : How they form and Change. • The basic unit of geographic study is the region. • A region is any area that display unity in terms of a selected criteria. • Such as: political power, language, religion, environment, agricultural products, trade… • A region is the same within itself, but different from surrounding area Geography & Econ Geog Definition

23. Regions Geography & Econ Geog Definition

24. Chinese Indurtrial Regions Geography & Econ Geog Definition

25. 5b. REGIONS : How they form and Change. • Region is a concept used to: • examine, • define, • describe, • explain, • and analyze the human and natural environments of the earth. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

26. 5b. REGIONS : How they form and Change. • Region forms based on favorable Site and Situation conditions at a given time and technology • Regions change as the four above conditions change Geography & Econ Geog Definition

27. Is Silicon Valley Migrating to China? NY Times Friday, January 8, 2010 Asian Computer Makers Move Into Riskier Ventures By ASHLEE VANCE Companies that once built devices to Silicon Valley’s specifications are now investing in start-ups so they can compete with their former customers. Click here to read more Geography & Econ Geog Definition

28. For careers and more see The Five Fundamental Themes of Geography http://www.hannasd.org/sths/gaffey/5themes.htm Essential Academic Learning Requirements:  Geography http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/SocStudies/geographyEALRs.aspx Career Resources: What is geography at the UW http://depts.washington.edu/geogjobs/ Geography & Econ Geog Definition

29. What do Geographers Do Geography & Econ Geog Definition

30. Geographers Study Space • What is where • How it is used • How it is modified All of this reflects spatial patterns and processes Geography & Econ Geog Definition

31. Pattern and Process • Pattern • Where and What • Organize the world into parts based on • Location • Place Characteristics • Boundaries between differences • Look for regularities – describe what is found • Differentiate from irregularities Geography & Econ Geog Definition

32. Patterns and Process • Process • Look for explanations to explain patterns • How and Why • How did something appear on the earth • Why did it appear • What is the relationship between the natural environment and the built environment Geography & Econ Geog Definition

33. Pattern • Emphasizes: • Location • Space characteristics • Regions • What is the pattern here? • What process might have created it? • Are there regions? • What is this? Geography & Econ Geog Definition http://www.haggen.com/Locations.aspx

34. Process • Emphasizes • Human-Environment Interactions • Human-Human Interactions across space • Movement • Spatial Interactions Geography & Econ Geog Definition

35. Chicken & Egg • Where something occurs effects How it occurs • Pattern is not independent of Process • BUT • How something occurs is effected by Where it occurs • Process is dependent on pre-existing spatial patterns Geography & Econ Geog Definition

36. Example • Pattern first • New Roads create new spatial activity • Process follows pattern • Process first • Congestion creates demand for new roads • Pattern follows process Geography & Econ Geog Definition

37. Geographer’s Job • Link Spatial Patterns to Social, Economic, and Environmental Processes Geography & Econ Geog Definition

38. Geographer’s Job Understanding that: • Human Geographic Landscape is a Social Creation influenced by and influencing the Natural Environment • Human—Environment interactions are key to understanding our world Geography & Econ Geog Definition

39. Economic Geography • Five Schools of thought Geography & Econ Geog Definition

40. Economic Geography Schools of Thought • “Scientific” or Location Theory • Behavioral • Humanistic • Structuralists • Post Structuralists Geography & Econ Geog Definition

41. Location Theorists • Rely on Quantitative data • Scientific Method • Neo Classical Economics • Individual as a Maximizer (homo economicus) • Majority of work falls into this area (including most of our textbook) Geography & Econ Geog Definition

42. Behavioralists • Imperfect Information • Uncertainty • Sub Optimal behavior • Individual is seen as an Optimizer not Maximizer Geography & Econ Geog Definition

43. Optimizer vs Maximizer • Traditional Societies • Plant corn, beans, and squash all in same “hill” • Although they compete for nutrients and can “stunt” one another’s growth you optimize your efforts in that at least one might survive if others fail • American Farmers • Plant monoculture – one field one crop • Although failure can wipe them out, on average their economic return is maximum over time Geography & Econ Geog Definition

44. Humanistic Humanistic Geography • According to humanists, science should focus on creative, imaginative human beings, particularly the ordinary folk. • Whereas “spatial science” has a lack of interest in, and does not possess methods for understanding, individuals Geography & Econ Geog Definition

45. Humanistic The reliance on ‘homo economicus’ (a model that assumes rational decision-making based on economic costs/benefits) is unethical. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

46. Humanistic • Spatial scientists tend to assume that they can be and are ‘objective’ (i.e., politically and emotionally neutral).  • Yet, just as with any individual, they are motivated by a range of subjective feelings and ideas. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

47. Humanistic • Spatial scientists, therefore, tend to promote an illusionary view from nowhere, or Gods-eye view of the world. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

48. Humanistic In Contrast • Humanists believe that an assessment of one’s own presuppositions leads to a more realistic appraisal of others. • Many philosophers have talked about and tried to explain Humanistic geography and most seem to be French. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

49. Humanistic Leading American Humanist Geographer is Yi-Fu Tuan Geography & Econ Geog Definition

50. Structuralists • In a nutshell believe the “rules” the structures favor some places over others • The world is unfair because we make it unfair. • Has proven to be popular in the 3rd World and with Neo-Marxist types Geography & Econ Geog Definition Wallerstein leader in this field.