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Lost In Space? On The History, Status, And Future Of Regional Science (Presidential Address, April 4, 1992)

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  • Andrew M. Isserman

    (RRI, West Virginia University)

Abstract

Regional science is turning 40. Once the harbinger of a person's imminent death, becoming 40 now ushers in a period of apprehension and reflection-the mid-life crisis. It is a time to confront the dreams of youth, take stock of the present, ponder the path that led from there to here, and discern future possibilities. If all goes well, reflection and self-assessment lead to a renewed sense of purpose and to the self-understanding, resolve, and motivation that will shape the next 40 years. Regional science has much to gain from a deliberate effort to assess its condition, directions, and options. I attempt to do so here, but, of course, one person and one paper cannot suffice for such a task. This paper will serve its goal if it sparks thought, discussion, and action leading to both a better understanding of regional science and a more vigorous and useful regional science.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew M. Isserman, 1993. "Lost In Space? On The History, Status, And Future Of Regional Science (Presidential Address, April 4, 1992)," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 23(1), pages 1-50, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:rre:publsh:v23:y:1993:i:1:p:1-50
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Edward J. Malecki, 1995. "Global Cities And Back Roads:Perspectives On The Southern Economy (Presidential Address, April 22, 1995)," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 25(3), pages 237-246, Winter.
    2. Steven C. Deller, 2015. "Is Regional Science the Embodiment of the Engaged University?," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 45(1), pages 1-13, Spring.
    3. Anthony Yezer, 1995. "Intellectual Space for Regional Science," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 18(2), pages 153-157, April.
    4. David Mulkey, 1997. "The South and Regional Science: The Gap Between Theory and Practice," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 27(3), pages 211-218, Winter.
    5. K. Newbold, 2012. "Migration and regional science: opportunities and challenges in a changing environment," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 48(2), pages 451-468, April.
    6. Dan S. Rickman & John V. Winters, 2016. "Ranking Authors and Institutions by Publications in Regional Science Journals: 2010–2014," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 312-336, June.
    7. Rees, John, 2000. "Regional Science: Evolving in New Directions," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 30(1), pages 43-47, Summer.
    8. John R. Kort, 1995. "Southern Regional Economics In The 1990's: Back To Basics? (Presidential Address, April 9, 1994)," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 25(1), pages 1-11, Summer.
    9. David Plane, 2012. "What about aging in regional science?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 48(2), pages 469-483, April.
    10. Zhenhua Chen & Laurie A. Schintler, 2023. "Rediscovering regional science: Positioning the field's evolving location in science and society," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(3), pages 617-642, June.
    11. Jon R. Miller, 1996. "What is western about western regional science?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 30(4), pages 343-350.
    12. Luc Anselin, 2013. "Andy Isserman’s Regional Science," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 36(1), pages 4-15, January.
    13. Maier, Gunther & Kaufmann, Alexander & Vyborny, Michael, 2008. "Is regional science a scientific discipline? Answers from a citation based Social Network Analysis," SRE-Discussion Papers 2008/02, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    14. Royuela, Vicente, 2012. "Regional Science trends through the analysis of the main facts of the 51st ERSA Conference," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 24, pages 13-39.
    15. Julia Koschinsky & Sierdjan Koster & Roberto Patuelli & Vicente Royuela & Vassilis Tselios, 2014. "Editorial: REGION - the online open-access journal of ERSA," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 1, pages 1-3.
    16. Roberta CAPELLO, 2012. "Regional economics: theoretical achievements and challenges," Timisoara Journal of Economics, West University of Timisoara, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 5(18), pages 313-335.
    17. repec:rre:publsh:v:40:y:2010:i:2:p:135-43 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Roberta Capello, 2008. "Regional economics in its 1950s: recent theoretical directions and future challenges," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 42(4), pages 747-767, December.
    19. Johnson, Thomas G., 2002. "Where is the Place in Space?," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 32(1), pages 9-17, Winter/Sp.

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