Twenty-Second European Congress of the Regional Science Association

Abstract

In his article, “Whither Geography?,” Jay R. Harman raised a number of important issues regarding the nature and direction of geographic scholarship. In this response I critically address some of those issues and offer an alternative perspective. In doing so, I support Harman's desire for the discipline to “help answer deep human questions” but argue that rather than reinforce the vitality and legitimacy of the discipline, a market-based approach of the sort he advocates could instead potentially undermine such objectives and compromise disciplinary integrity by discouraging critical inquiry. While acknowledging the influence of “the market,” I defend a place for critical inquiry within the discipline.     

第31届国际地理大会在突尼斯举行

The 31 st International Geographical Congress （IGC） was held on August 12-15 in Tunis, the Republic of Tunisia. It enjoyed the support of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology of Tunisia, and was backed by various other ministerial departments and academic and research institutions in Tunisia. More than 1000 geographers across the world participated in the IGC. The Geographical Society of China （GSC） attended the conference with a 60-odd-number delegation from Chinese mainland.     

连接科学与社会——从第33届国际地理大会看地理学的发展态势

本文介绍了第33届国际地理大会的会议概况和主要议题,从会议论题中总结当前国际地理学研究的前沿问题与发展态势。当前国际地理学界关注的前沿问题主要有：未来地球研究,陆地表层过程作用的综合研究、土地利用变化与生态系统服务,人类活动对全球变化的影响、响应与适应,城市化与可持续发展,地理学与环境、健康问题,自然灾害形成过程与风险分析,大数据、地理信息科学与决策制定,地理学与多元文化等。地理学的发展需要更加关注人地系统的综合研究、自然—社会系统的耦合研究及基础理论和方法的发展与突破。中国地理学应关注当前国际地理学的前沿问题与发展趋势,实现系统的综合和耦合,引领地理科学的发展。     

第32届国际地理大会在德国科隆举行(英文)

The 32nd International Geographical Congress (IGC) was held on August 26-30 in Cologne, Germany. About 3000 geographers from countries and regions across the world participated in the IGC, which caused an unprecedented number of attendees in the history of IGU. Organized by The Geographical Society of China (GSC), China had a record over 100 geographers to this congress, including Academician Qin Dahe, Vice President of IGU, and Academician Liu Changming, former Vice President of IGU.     

Comparison on Eco-compensation between the Domestic and International Studies

Because it offers an effective means to alleviate current ecological problems and a way to coordinate sustainable economic and social development with protection of the environment, eco-compensation has become a subject of interest to scholars and governments all over the world. A great many studies have been carried out and eco-compensation schemes have been put into practice; there have been many fruitful results. Based on a review of related research and practices, this paper attempts first to discuss domestic and international eco-compensation research and practices in terms of the meaning of eco-compensation and its components (stakeholders, compensation criteria, compensation modes, compensation approaches, compensation funds, and compensation effects). Next, taking into consideration the above discussion, the paper looks at the differences between Chinese and international eco-compensation measures. Finally, existing problems with eco-compensation research and practices in China are summarized and some suggestions are put forward.