Applied Geographic Studies

Edited by:
  • Milton E. Harvey
John Wiley and Sons. 4/yr. USA $155, elsewhere $179, (institutional); USA $70, elsewhere $94 (personal)
Night lights: cities, burning vegetation (purple), oil flares (red) and the aurora borealis (light blue). Credit: W.T. SULLIVAN III /SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Geography emerged as an academic discipline at the height of imperialist expansion in the late nineteenth century, but by the 1960s it had lost its taste for describing regions and landscapes in meticulous detail in favour of more systematic inquiry. It divided into human geography, which drew on theory and method in the social sciences, particularly economics, and physical geography, which oriented itself towards the earth sciences.

The subject has softened its scientific stance since then, moving away from a search for strong theory, becoming more pragmatic and, in the process, taking on a multitude of applications.

Applied Geographic Studies was launched last year in response to such developments. Building on a series of successful conferences that drew together a diversity of geographic applications, its content reflects contemporary human issues that have important geographical dimensions. Environmental problems, such as the spatial distribution of pollutants and their implications for disease and health care, are of concern; also relevant to this focus is the use of geographical models for marketing and retailing, for problems posed by the impact of ageing, and for the provision of housing. The journal covers population studies involving urbanization, migration and the current problems of global geopolitics, although so far there is little discussion about the traditional areas of urban planning and transportation.

Starting a journal such as this is a hazardous undertaking, because a competitor (Applied Geography) has existed for a dozen or more years, and several others specialize in the subject. But the editor has assembled an impressive editorial board of 32 well-known academic geographers who are involved in applications, and nearly half of these have been enticed to write in the four issues that make up the first volume.

The result is a useful and balanced collection of competent articles that reflect the intended range. The articles are quiet and unpretentious as is the style and presentation of the journal. If the editor and board are able to keep up this momentum, then Applied Geographic Studies will soon become an established outlet for geographic applications of quality.