La géographie appliquée

Summary

Although applied geography is a term of recent origin, the phenomenon it denotes has a long history. Written in 1956, this article aims to clarify the concept and role of applied geography. It points out that applied geography emerged as geography evolved from a purely "contemplative" discipline into an applied science serving society and national spatial planning. Regional geography serves as a bridge between pure geography and applied geography, because it provides a direct and comprehensive understanding of regional environments, enabling geographers to make diagnoses and foresee the effects of management measures. The author compares France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium as examples: French academia acknowledges the value of geography in territorial development, yet the government rarely employs geographers; the United Kingdom systematically incorporates geographical surveys into regional and national planning; in Belgium, regional monographs have led authorities to invite geographers to participate in planning teams. The article also discusses French scholars' concerns about disciplinary fragmentation, encroachment by neighboring disciplines, and conceptual differences in regional geography: France adheres to traditional descriptive methods, while Britain and the United States place greater emphasis on planning and practical improvement. The latter half focuses on developments in teaching and training, including fieldwork in France and overseas, as well as practical exercises organized by the University of Liège's geography seminar to cultivate students' applied skills. At the University of Rennes, under the leadership of Meynier, Philipponneau completed the first national doctoral thesis in purely applied geography in France; the University of Bordeaux collaborates with applied humanities institutions and conducts overseas research. The author concludes that applied geography is a logical extension of pure geography, and the two constitute the same aspect of human knowledge; the practical value of applied geography is beyond doubt. He also suggests that the establishment of specialized teaching be discussed at international geographical congresses, and clarifies the distinction between geographers' applied geography and the "geonomy" proposed by urban planners: the latter focuses on coordinating the investigative tasks of various specialists, and if urban planners were to replace geographers, it would be a regrettable transfer of responsibilities.