(World Regional Geography Book Series) 1st ed. 2022 Edition
by Olaf Kühne (Author), Florian Weber (Author)
This book addresses the highly
differentiated spatial, social, cultural and demographic structure(s) of
Germany, with a particular focus on the reciprocal relations between
different levels of spatial development.
The historical development of Germany
serves as a background in order to provide context for the development
of spatially relevant ideas and ideals (whether in relation to politics,
landscape, or culture). In this regard, questions of divergence and
convergence become highly salient.
The book makes the complexity of spatial
and social developments in Germany comprehensible. The neopragmatic
approach adopted here allows bringing together different theoretical
strands while providing a basis for independent regional geographic
research at the same time. Beginning with an overview of the physical
structures of Germany which provides the material point of departure for
the societal development of Germany, key aspects of the German history
are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the reciprocal influence
between material substrate and notions of landscape. Here, specific
‘German’ trajectories of aesthetic and normative conceptions of
landscape become clear.
A common theme throughout the book are
questions of divergence and of efforts towards convergence, which become
evident when considering past and present economic, political, and
demographic developments. Efforts to tackle current challenges, such as
adapting to climate change and mitigating it, or securing raw materials,
also become apparent. The complexity of spatial processes in Germany is
illustrated in case study regions dealing with the challenges of
structural change in traditional industrial regions (such as the Ruhr
area), or e.g. efforts of Berlin to position and find itself as the
capital of a unified Germany.
Overall, the book shows how
theory-driven regional geographic research can make spatiotemporal
complexities tangible and comprehensible.
