The Concept of Development
Geographic Space and Development
Space As A Framework
Geographic Space provides framework for
field of human action: distance and place
distinction matter
 Location is critical- location of objects and
perception of objects and their location
influence behavior
 Spatial Structure- ordered relations
between individual spatial forms and the
whole of which they are a part
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Puerto Rico Administrative Regions
System of Regions with Regional and National
Capital
Elements: Farms, Villages, Cities , Networks
Spatial Organization Elements
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If we use the idea of change and transformation
of spatial structures- what is involved?
1. Spatial Competition- competing land uses
in an evolving urban area or two transport
networks competing for traffic
2. Spatial Integration- coordination of spatial
activities to achieve harmony –networks
3. Spatial Diffusion- how something spreads
over geographic space; vital mechanism to keep
momentum of development alive
a. involves innovations- acceptance of new
goods and services by consumers and
entrepreneurs
Spatial Competition: The Silk Road and the Arab Sea
Routes
EUROPE
Athens
Turpan
Black Sea
Constantinople
Antioch
Mediterranean Ocean
Alexandria
Tyre
Gobi Desert
Dunhuang
Samarkand
Kashgar
Bukhara
Lanzhou
Hamadan
Baghdad
Merv
Rey
Xi’an
Hotan
Bactra
PERSIA
CHINA
EGYPT
Muscat
Berenike
ARABIA
Muza Kané
Barbaricon
Calcutta
Barygaza
Sur
Guangzhou
INDIA
Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
Aden
Muziris
Mogadishu
SOMALIA
Indian Ocean
Malacca
Mombasa
500 Miles
JAVA
Pacific Ocean
Rome
Spatial Integration: Roman Road Network, 200 AD
Atlantic
Ocean
Black Sea
Mediterranean Ocean
500 km
Model of Typical Spatial Development
S I- simple ports
 S II- transport
penetration
 S III- growth of
interior cities
 S IV- merge of
towns and high
order transport
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Ideal Typical Sequence of Network
Development
A
B
C
D
E
F
Impacts of Integration Processes on
Networks and Flows
Before Integration
Flows
Network
International border
After Integration
Economic Production and Specialization
Region B
Region A
Self Reliance
Regional Trade
Trade and
Transport
International
Trade
Trade and
Transport
Product A
Product B
Product C
Product D
Product E
Gateway
Development As Spatial Reorganization
Need new set of spatial actions to achieve
spatial goals
 May involve new system of resource
allocation which implies some efficiency
 Certain spatial arrangements may be
expected to create a better means to
achieve national, regional and local goals
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Growth Poles Theory:
Deliberate Urbanization
Growth Pole
Key Industry
Linked Industry
Secondary Growth Pole
Secondary Industry
Linked Industry
Transport Corridors and the
Regional Spatial Structure
B
A
Order
High
Low
Specialization and
High Low interdependency
C
Articulation Point
Distribution
Growth Pole: Ciudad de Guayana
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Why develop city here?
Pulls population into less
developed area
Access to resources (iron
ore, oil)
Transport- river provides
access for outlet to
Caribbean and beyond
Orinoco’s hydro-electricity
potential powering industry
is critical
Special Political Zones: Federal Territory of Brasilia
Brazil – 180 mil but
coastal concentrations
dominate
 Disperse population by
creating inland capital
territory
 Political functions in
separate area- others?
 Create other services,
create employment and
residential compounds
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Super Multi-Media Corridor:
Kuala Lumpur-Klang Corridor
Malaysia’s future
development- draw
foreign direct investment
 Provide sites for high tech
businesses in Shah Alam
Estate
 Broad band access with
virtual university
 Access to KL Intl Airport
 Create employment and
residential estates
 Manufacture electronic
goods for export
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