GGH3704
Assignment 1 Semester 12025
Unique number: 762181
Due Date: 14 March 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2024. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN GEOGRAPHY APPROACHES
ON UNDERSTANDING CITIES AS DYNAMIC SPACES
INTRODUCTION
Urban geography is a complex field that seeks to understand the spatial,
social, economic, and political dynamics of cities. Over time, different
approaches have emerged to study urban geography, each offering distinct
perspectives on how cities function, change, and influence human
experiences. Among these, the spatial description approach and the
humanistic approach stand out for their contrasting methodologies and
emphases.
The spatial description approach focuses on quantitative analysis, mapping,
and the spatial organization of urban features. It prioritizes territoriality,
distance, and location-based attributes to understand urban growth and
patterns (Johnston, 2020). In contrast, the humanistic approach considers the
subjective experiences of urban residents, emphasizing personal meaning,
attachment to place, and the lived experiences of city dwellers (Relph, 2006).
Both approaches have significantly contributed to our understanding of cities
as dynamic spaces—ever-evolving landscapes shaped by economic trends,
social interactions, and human behavior. This essay evaluates how these two
perspectives have influenced urban geography, comparing their treatment of
key spatial elements such as territoriality, distance, and place to highlight their
respective contributions and limitations.
THE SPATIAL DESCRIPTION APPROACH: CITIES AS STRUCTURED
AND MEASURABLE SPACES
Foundations and Methodology
The spatial description approach is rooted in positivist geography,
emphasizing scientific objectivity, empirical observation, and spatial analysis.
This perspective gained prominence during the mid-20th century as urban
geographers sought to apply mathematical models and statistical techniques
© Study Shack 2024. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
Assignment 1 Semester 12025
Unique number: 762181
Due Date: 14 March 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2024. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF URBAN GEOGRAPHY APPROACHES
ON UNDERSTANDING CITIES AS DYNAMIC SPACES
INTRODUCTION
Urban geography is a complex field that seeks to understand the spatial,
social, economic, and political dynamics of cities. Over time, different
approaches have emerged to study urban geography, each offering distinct
perspectives on how cities function, change, and influence human
experiences. Among these, the spatial description approach and the
humanistic approach stand out for their contrasting methodologies and
emphases.
The spatial description approach focuses on quantitative analysis, mapping,
and the spatial organization of urban features. It prioritizes territoriality,
distance, and location-based attributes to understand urban growth and
patterns (Johnston, 2020). In contrast, the humanistic approach considers the
subjective experiences of urban residents, emphasizing personal meaning,
attachment to place, and the lived experiences of city dwellers (Relph, 2006).
Both approaches have significantly contributed to our understanding of cities
as dynamic spaces—ever-evolving landscapes shaped by economic trends,
social interactions, and human behavior. This essay evaluates how these two
perspectives have influenced urban geography, comparing their treatment of
key spatial elements such as territoriality, distance, and place to highlight their
respective contributions and limitations.
THE SPATIAL DESCRIPTION APPROACH: CITIES AS STRUCTURED
AND MEASURABLE SPACES
Foundations and Methodology
The spatial description approach is rooted in positivist geography,
emphasizing scientific objectivity, empirical observation, and spatial analysis.
This perspective gained prominence during the mid-20th century as urban
geographers sought to apply mathematical models and statistical techniques
© Study Shack 2024. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
