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Research progress and prospect on development geography

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Abstract

In this paper, we review the research progress in development geography since the 20th century, focusing on its connotation and theory, fields, methods, and development trends. Specifically, we systematically review the research and applications of development geography, comprising fields such as the convergence of underdeveloped countries and regions, and the convergence of the process of improving the quality of life in developed countries and regions. Then, based on an analysis of research progress in development geography in foreign countries, we examine the development conditions and disciplinary advantages of development geography in China. Further, we highlight that future development geography research in China should focus on the latest international academic research and China’s national macro-strategic needs. Future research in development geography should be guided by the theory of sustainable development, the core of which is to improve sustainable livelihood capacity and regional green development levels in underdeveloped regions. This core includes the construction of industrial policy and development geography theory, as well as an interdisciplinary integrated research system. The focus must be placed on researching the spatial patterns, diffusion characteristics, and the convergence mechanism of regional development. Such a focus will facilitate exploration of the regulatory policies and scientific paths that serve regional economic construction and industrial development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xiangzheng Deng & Shujin He

  2. Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xiangzheng Deng

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Xiangzheng Deng

  4. School of Economics and Management, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Gui Jin

  5. School of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China

    Chengxin Wang

  6. Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China

    Zhaohua Li

  7. School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Zhanqi Wang

  8. School of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, China

    Malin Song

  9. School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China

    Qingyuan Yang

  10. College of Land Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Anlu Zhang

  11. School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jiancheng Chen

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  1. Xiangzheng Deng
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  2. Gui Jin
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  8. Qingyuan Yang
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  9. Anlu Zhang
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  10. Jiancheng Chen
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Correspondence to Xiangzheng Deng.

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Foundation

Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41771568

Deng Xiangzheng, PhD and Professor, specialized in natural resource management, global change and regional sustainable development.

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Deng, X., Jin, G., He, S. et al. Research progress and prospect on development geography. J. Geogr. Sci. 31, 437–455 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-021-1852-x

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