Toward an objective understanding of spatial dynamics: Description of a methodology and two case studies in Quebec. Serge Gagnon

Abstract

Although territories are currently transforming, the changes are not homogeneous. Territories are in the throes of profound change, hastened by technology, the heightened mobility of goods and services, neo-liberalism and so on. As a result, they must reinvent their identity, but which direction should they take: production, multi-purpose or recreational? With deep, anthropological roots, this dilemma transcends administrative boundaries. Furthermore, the traditional rural and urban divide is slowly giving way to a new configuration of the relationship between human beings and the land. We are now confronted with variable territorial geometry in which economic and ecological discourse stand on opposite sides. Traditional models offer little insight into this new problem. Territorial transformation therefore dictates that we re-examine the traditional tools of observation and analysis. This paper forms part of this perspective and ultimately aims to describe a tool for assessing the "spatialization of development" to better understand the internal and external factors affecting the spatial dynamics of territorial construction or deconstruction, especially in terms of city/country relationships. Based on a structural geography approach, this paper endeavours to describe the application of a multi-level decision-support mapping tool. The main objective of this new explanatory and prescriptive model is to generate a better understanding of the constraints and success factors facing national, regional and local territories.

Keywords

Spatial dynamics, development, structural geography, rural/urban relationship, territorial construction, geomatic application.

Cite this article

GAGNON S., 2009. Toward an objective understanding of spatial dynamics: Description of a methodology and two case studies in Quebec. In International Conference of Territorial Intelligence, Besançon 2008. Papers on Tools and methods of Territorial Intelligence, UFC, Besançon, 2009. <URL: http://www.territorial-intelligence.eu/index.php/besancon08/Gagnon>