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The Geography of Sustainability Transitions: A Literature Review

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  • Hansen , Teis

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

  • Coenen , Lars

    (CIRCLE, Lund University)

Abstract

This review covers the recent literature on the geography of sustainability transitions which has recently expanded considerably. The first aim of the review is to clarify the position of geographical thought in different contributions which have adopted an explicitly geographical perspective to understand key spatial issues of sustainability transitions. The second aim is to take stock with the theoretical and empirical insights which have been achieved in this literature and their internal coherence. The review synthesises insights following from both contextual analyses of particular settings in which transitions are embedded and studies of the geography of inter-organisational linkages of importance for transition processes. In this way, the review introduces researchers with an interest in the field of geography of sustainability transitions to the theoretical and empirical results obtained up to now and it highlight those areas which need further work

Suggested Citation

  • Hansen , Teis & Coenen , Lars, 2013. "The Geography of Sustainability Transitions: A Literature Review," Papers in Innovation Studies 2013/39, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2013_039
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Geography; sustainability transitions; space; scale; context; proximity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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