BIDS Department of Human Geography Introduction to Development

BIDS Department of Human Geography

Introduction to Development and Geography

Welcome to Geocentrum I The Department of Human Geography has a critical mass of development studies scholars working on cutting-edge topics and research questions www. keg. lu. se

WHAT IS HUMAN GEOGRAPHY? Human geography is concerned with the spatial differentiation and organisation of human activity and with the human use of the physical environment (Johnson et al, 1994 – passim) Hägerstrand (1985: 7) argues that the main area of investigation in the discipline of geography is: “the study of the struggle for power over the admission of existences in time and space”

Introduction Key concepts in human geography: • Space • Territory • Landscape • Place • Scale

Introduction Space The study of phenomena across space, especially patterns of uneven development • Absolute space – mapping as the functional integration of phenomena • Relative space – relation between events or an aspect of events and are thus bound to time and process • Relational space – space as containing social relations and social practices, especially class, race and gender

Introduction Territory A territory is the result or consequence of spatial relations of power: “A bounded social space occupied and used by different social groups as a consequence of following strategies of territoriality” Two aspects characterize the concept - notions of power exercised by dominant institutions within bounded spaces

Introduction Landscape The study of the appearance of an area and the objects used to create that appearance Cultural landscapes reflect social relations of power which have formed natural and built environments

Introduction Place Locale – the settings in which social relations are constituted Location – the area encompassing the setting for social interaction Sense of place – the character of a place (which is imbued with meaning) and the attachments and values people have to a place

Introduction Scale Refers to a level of representation Many global environmental issues, such as climate change, are scales issues as they are controlled by mechanisms at finer scales Governance of such global environmental problems involve all scales, and requires understanding of the interaction between these scales

Department of Human Geography Research Groups Cities, Environment, Landscape (urbanisation, political ecology, landscape change) Economic Geography (technology and agglomeration, regional innovation systems, knowledge economy, regional development) Human Ecology (political ecology, ecological economics, environmental history, and environmental anthropology) http: //www. keg. lu. se/en/research-areas GIS Via GIS students learn to visualize and analyze geographic problems, assess theories and support practical applications

Department of Human Geography Development Geography Critical mass of researchers on different aspects of African agriculture • AFRINT • Yield Gaps • Policy for Equity in African Agriculture (Papaya) • African Urban Agriculture • Contract Farming and Gender Equity

Department of Human Geography Development Geography Further work on: Biochar and rainforest use in Africa Subaltern urbanization in South Asia Demographic and socio-economic consequences of the AIDS-epidemic in Africa

AFRINT • Panel dataset for Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, around 2500 farmers surveyed in 56 villages in 2002, 2008 and 2013/15. • Qualitative methods • Intra-household interviews • Key informant interviews • Mobility mapping/descriptions • http: //www. keg. lu. se/en/researchprojects/current-research-projects/afrint

Yield Gaps • Combining geospatial and survey data in assessing the prospects of smallholder agricultural development in Africa • Some of the largest crop yield gaps are observed and where agrarian landscapes and farming systems are among the most complex in the world • Aim to investigate if identified causes of and closing yield gaps hold the key to redressing major causes of smallholder poverty and unsustainable livelihoods

Policy for Equity in African Agriculture www. agripapaya. com

African urban agriculture Social, economic, and environmental challenges and prospects under changing global and demographic realities Focuses on urban agriculture in six medium sized cities in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda Partner institutions in Africa: University of Ghana, University of Nairobi and Makerere University

Contract Farming and Gender Equity www. mycongenial. com

Socio-economic and cultural uses of the tropical rainforest in Korup National Park, Cameroon STUDY OBJECTIVES LOCATION: a) to determine the extent of the reliance of local people on forest resources b) to weigh the role of hunting in comparison to other uses of the forest c) to determine the wild meat consumption patterns of the communities living inside and in the surroundings of the park d) to assess the relative impact of humans on the reproduction cycle of plants that are dispersed by primates, by other animals, and by abiotic means

Assessing the potential socio-economic opportunities and challenges of Biochar adoption on small-holder farming systems • Biochar is a solid matter that remains after burning organic residues. LOCATION: • Many studies show that the final solid residue have good potential to improve soil qualities and store carbon. To map and assess, through a multidisciplinary perspective, the potential socio-economic impacts that a wider production and use of biochar might have on small farms Three case studies in Western, Central and Eastern Kenya.

Subaltern urbanization Study small settlements in West Bengal, India Recently categorized as “urban” but do not yet have structures and resources for urban governance in the form of town plans, budget outlays and other infrastructure Aim is to understand the construction of 'urbanity' and the contradictions within it, from a grounded perspective

Welcome to the Department of Human Geography

BIDS – Department of Human Geography

Courses within the major in Human Geography Course Code. Name Credits Start date Level Autumn Semester 2017 SGED 11 The Contemporary Geography of African Development I 15 2017 -08 -29 Undergraduate SGED 12 The Contemporary Geography of African Development II 15 2017 -10 -27 Undergraduate SGEA 23 Human Geography (continuation course) 30 2017 -08 -29 Undergraduate SGEG 20 GIS: Geografiska informationssystem för samhällsvetenskap, introduktion med tillämpningar (in Swedish) 30 2017 -08 -29 Undergraduate Spring Semester 2018 SGEG 16 GIS in Social Sciences - Basic Level 7, 5 2018 -01 -15 Undergraduate SGEG 17 GIS in Development Studies - Applications 7, 5 2018 -02 -15 Undergraduate SGEA 23 Human Geography (continuation course) Geografiska informationssystem för samhällsvetenskap, introduktion med tillämpningar (in Swedish) 30 2018 -01 -15 Undergraduate SGEG 20 30 2018 -01 -15 Undergraduate

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION Contact: Srilata Sircar srilata. sircar@keg. lu. se Tamar Bzekalava tamar. bzekalava@keg. lu. se