Earlier this year, I read a paper by John Robert Gold that I look forward to referencing in future research. Published in 2019, the chapter ‘Behavioural geography’, appears in the International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (A. Kobayashi, ed.) and in it Gold outlines the multidisciplinary development of the subdiscipline of human geography.
During the early developments (1960s – 80s) of the subdiscipline, geographers following the new directions of behavioural geography ‘took inspiration from multidisciplinary convergence’ with quantifiable geographers looking to systems theory, mathematics and positive economics with others turning ‘instead to the social sciences, the humanities, the arts, planning, architecture, and design’.
The reference of the close alignment of environmental psychology and behavioural geography also resonates in practical and profound ways for me, as someone who began with a psychology foundation in university education and was introduced to environmental psychology while transitioning to a focus on spatial planning & built environment for my first graduate program.
Gold also highlights 3 major research foci in the sub-discipline: cognitive mapping, natural hazards research and attachment to place.
My dissertation fieldwork in Warsaw included place attachment (in the context of walkable urbanism and the 15-minute city) as one of the inquiries as well as some experimental cognitive mapping on the 15-minute city. My interest in the topic goes beyond the built environment and cities, though.
I lived on the Big Island of Hawai’i for several years, with also many visits due to family living there. Hiking the lava fields at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was one of my favorite activities. I felt connection to place and loved the effect of hours of walking across fields of lava rock on my body & mind.
My father took this photo about 22 years ago. Of course, I couldn’t stay in this position very long with the burning heat of the lava. But I love recalling this moment, preceded by at least a couple of hours hiking and of course the gorgeous star-studded sky out there above those sprawling lava field
I think back often to this island when I think of place attachment in my personal life. The volcanic soil also makes for an extraordinary local agriculture industry and food scene. Many of my favorite farmers markets memories are here and dining out – from casual to gourmet fare- you can taste the incredible freshness of local, island-grown fruits and vegetables.
I enjoyed learning recently about the Cities & Volcanoes Commission via IAVCEI – Int. Assoc. of Volcanology & Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior and making first contact with their team. The topic of volcanoes and communities is so incredibly rich, connecting to themes of hazard, place attachment and migration, agricultural opportunity, indigenous knowledge, culture and more.
~Annika