GGH3704
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 14 MARCH 2025
, GGH3704
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 14 March 2025
Development of Urban Space
Evaluating Approaches to Urban Geography: Spatial Description vs. Humanistic
Perspectives
Introduction
Urban geography is a dynamic field that seeks to understand the complexities of cities and urban
environments. Two major approaches—spatial description and humanistic perspectives—offer
contrasting but complementary ways to analyze urban spaces. The spatial approach focuses on
the physical structure, land use, and organization of cities, while the humanistic perspective
emphasizes personal experiences, emotions, and cultural meanings attached to urban
environments. This essay evaluates these two approaches, examining their strengths and
limitations, and argues that a holistic understanding of urban geography requires integrating both
perspectives.
Spatial Description Approach
The spatial description approach in urban geography is rooted in the quantitative and scientific
analysis of urban forms and patterns. This perspective relies on Geographic Information Systems
(GIS), remote sensing, and statistical models to map and analyze various urban elements,
including transportation networks, population density, and economic activities.
One of the key strengths of the spatial approach is its ability to provide empirical data for urban
planning and policy-making. For example, in South Africa, spatial analysis has been used to
study the persistence of apartheid-era segregation in cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town.
By mapping income distribution and housing patterns, urban geographers can identify areas of
inequality and propose interventions such as improved public transport or affordable housing
developments.
However, the spatial approach has limitations. It tends to prioritize objective measurements over
subjective human experiences, often overlooking the lived realities of urban dwellers. While it
provides valuable insights into urban structure, it does not fully explain how people interact with
and perceive their environments. This is where the humanistic perspective becomes crucial.
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 14 MARCH 2025
, GGH3704
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: 14 March 2025
Development of Urban Space
Evaluating Approaches to Urban Geography: Spatial Description vs. Humanistic
Perspectives
Introduction
Urban geography is a dynamic field that seeks to understand the complexities of cities and urban
environments. Two major approaches—spatial description and humanistic perspectives—offer
contrasting but complementary ways to analyze urban spaces. The spatial approach focuses on
the physical structure, land use, and organization of cities, while the humanistic perspective
emphasizes personal experiences, emotions, and cultural meanings attached to urban
environments. This essay evaluates these two approaches, examining their strengths and
limitations, and argues that a holistic understanding of urban geography requires integrating both
perspectives.
Spatial Description Approach
The spatial description approach in urban geography is rooted in the quantitative and scientific
analysis of urban forms and patterns. This perspective relies on Geographic Information Systems
(GIS), remote sensing, and statistical models to map and analyze various urban elements,
including transportation networks, population density, and economic activities.
One of the key strengths of the spatial approach is its ability to provide empirical data for urban
planning and policy-making. For example, in South Africa, spatial analysis has been used to
study the persistence of apartheid-era segregation in cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town.
By mapping income distribution and housing patterns, urban geographers can identify areas of
inequality and propose interventions such as improved public transport or affordable housing
developments.
However, the spatial approach has limitations. It tends to prioritize objective measurements over
subjective human experiences, often overlooking the lived realities of urban dwellers. While it
provides valuable insights into urban structure, it does not fully explain how people interact with
and perceive their environments. This is where the humanistic perspective becomes crucial.
