Distance and Space: A Geographical Perspective (Contemporary Problems in Geography)

Among the numerous concepts employed by geographers, few can be more central to their enquiries than those of distance and space. This book demonstrates that there are many different concepts of distance and a variety of spaces to be explored and mapped. It argues that space is best viewed as a relation on a set of objects. Consequently the notions of sets and relations are examined first and illustrated with geographical examples. Geographical distance is one such relation but other concepts, including those based on travel time, costs of separation, social relations and cognitive distance, are considered in depth and the literature on each discussed critically. Such distance-like measurements may be used to construct maps that show visually the relationships between the objects being studied. This is accomplished using 'multidimensional scaling' and the procedures and problems involved are discussed. Finally, the appropriateness of using this technique is questioned and an alternative perspective, based on Atkins' Q-analysis, is proposed and illustrated with reference to the concepts of space already discussed. Introductory texts, advanced texts, and research papers have all made reference to these concepts but this is the first book to bring the literature together. This should make it valuable to all students of geography, especially those taking courses in spatial analysis, human geography, and analytical cartography, as well to anyone with an interest in spatial concepts.