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The History, Status, and Future of Regional Science: An American Perspective

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  • Andrew M. Isserman

    (Regional Research Institute West Virginia University Morgantown WV 26506–6825 USA)

Abstract

This comprehensive paper examines the roots and dreams of early regional science, focusing on its scholarly association, its concepts of science and region, and its claim to be a separate discipline. Regional science never became a science or a discipline, and it has had a peculiar relationship to regions. Yet, it has had spectacular success as an international, interdisciplinary scholarly forum, and it has produced noteworthy contributions to several disciplines. This paper also assesses the standing of contemporary regional science within economics, geography, planning, and other academic fields and points out its achievements and failures. It discusses the place of regional science in academic space, intellectual space, and real world space and proposes future directions with respect to each.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew M. Isserman, 1995. "The History, Status, and Future of Regional Science: An American Perspective," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 17(3), pages 249-296, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:17:y:1995:i:3:p:249-296
    DOI: 10.1177/016001769501700301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anthony Yezer, 1995. "Intellectual Space for Regional Science," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 18(2), pages 153-157, April.
    2. Pandit, Kavita, 2000. "Expanding the "Region" in Regional Science: How Third World Experience Can Enrich Our Research," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 30(1), pages 75-78, Summer.
    3. Marcouiller, David W. & Deller, Steven C., 2001. "Thirty years of academic publishing in regional studies: A content analysis of MCRSA's scholarly output," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 31(2), pages 1-11.
    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. Henry, Mark, 2000. "A View from Agricultural and Applied Economics," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 30(1), pages 49-55, Summer.

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