Economic Geography: An Introduction

Economic Geography: An Introduction
Lecture 1 Based on Stutz – Chap 1 Envs 342 Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Geography & Econ Geog Definition
Objectives 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 Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

Expansion on this Is a science that deals with: PATTERNS -- Where things are and are arranged PROCESSES -- Why/How things have come to be at a location IMPACT -- on and between the environment and societies Across the LANDSCAPE James Rubenstein Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Definition Building Divide text or powerpoint material into bullets
Rank them by order of importance Translate these points into sentence(s) using your own words. Insert examples in the definition

Key Concepts or main bullet points for building a definition
Scientific approach Pattern (Where) Process (How, Why) Impact Emphasizes Space Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Five Fundamental themes of Human Geography
Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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. 6. Time Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

PLACE : Physical and Human Characteristics of/at a location SITE
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

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

2. PLACE : Physical and 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

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

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

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

3b. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN PLACES : Humans and Environment.
Two views of North Slope AK 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

Richmond BC Is this China or Canada? Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

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

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

Emma Maersk, Wal-Mart gets its stuff from China with this ship

New Maersk Container Ship 18000 TEU Triple-E

Details on Triple E Class 50% decrease in CO2 Emissions

the largest container vessel in the world

In Class Exercise Determine impact of transportation costs on a pair of Nikes. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

EMMA MAERSK - WORLD'S BIGGEST CONTAINER OUR JEBELALI PORT,DUBAI. Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Jebel Ali Port, Dubai Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Singapore Port - World's Busiest Port

What can go wrong Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Technological Change – Tesla Electric Semi

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, perception… A region is the same within itself, but different from surrounding area Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Regions Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Chinese Indurtrial Regions

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

5b. REGIONS : How they form and Change.
Economic Region forms based on favorable (1)Site and (2)Situation conditions at a (3)given time and (4)technology Regions change as the four above conditions change Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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 Why might it move? Solicit class. Lower labor costs? New technological breakthroughs Better capital markets Geography & Econ Geog Definition

How much to ship Nike Shoes
InClass Exercises (U:\Geo \InClass Exercises) What is an average price of Nike Shoes? How much does it cost to ship these shoes from China to Northern Europe? What percentage of the final cost goes to transportation? Second exercise apply 5 points to Southernization Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Economic Geography Five Schools of thought Note although these are introduced, Stutz (and much of this course) only emphasizes the first school In contrast Dr. Rossiter utilizes many of the alternative schools in his classes Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 scholars Geography & Econ Geog Definition Wallerstein leader in this field.

George Clooney in “Hail Ceasar”
Explaining how everything is “stacked against” the 90% Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Further explaination of the Marxist/Structuralist approach Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Videos to accompany the schools

World Bank – very much part of the neo-classical approach

Is Walmart Good for America?

Crash Course -- Imperialism

What do Geographers Do Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

Pattern and Process and Impact
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 Deffinition of pattern: a discernible coherent system based on the intended interrelationship of component parts Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

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

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

Example Pattern first New Road pattern create new processes of spatial activity Process follows pattern Process first Congestion creates demand for new roads Pattern follows process Impact??? Geography & Econ Geog Definition

Geographer’s Job Link Spatial Patterns to Social, Economic, Cultural, and Environmental Processes Consider the Impacts Geography & Econ Geog Definition

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

Economic Geography: An Introduction

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