PART I (Mini-Questions) 15 Points

Select 5 (five) from the following 7 items/individuals (3 points each) for "two-sentence answers". First, please identify the term's conceptual meaning or one of the person's conceptual contributions. In a second sentence, please suggest why this concept(ualization) may be relevant or how it may be used in Economic Geography. (Use the back of this page if needed)

(1) Law of diminishing returns

• class notes
• Healey & Ilbery (H&I), p.223
• Goodall, p.128

(2) Torsten Hägerstrand

• class notes & Agenda for week 4 [look there for further sources (mainly from Goodall)]

• class notes (first day & later)
• Goodall, p.214

(4) Agglomeration Economies (as different from "regions of agglomeration")

• see lecture notes;
• Goodall, p.16;
• Healey & Ilbery, p.88

(5) Johann-Heinrich von Thünen

• classnotes,
• Healey & Ilberry, p.21-22
• Goodall, p.497-8

• classnotes
• Goodall, p.175

• H&I, p.78
• Goodall, p.175

PART II (Mini-Essay) 15 Points

Please respond to one of the following questions with an at least paragraph-long statement : (You may use the back of this page for your anwer; please write legibly)

(1) Linear transport cost functions are wonderfully simple and elegant components of location models and yield relatively unambiguous results. Yet we know that the frictions of space are not that simple. Present and briefly explain a few of the factors or forces which would call for a non-linear (curvi-linear) approach to dealing with transport costs in situations where transport costs are still important location determinants.

• classnotes
• H&I, p.79
• Goodall, various places, e.g. p.478

(2) Healey & Ilbery, Ch. 6 ("The Technology Context") Some of you have suggested that this chapter badly needs an update. In light of our concerns in this class (as you understand them) , suggest some extensions or additions to this chapter. Since, "in the short run", this book cannot be totally rewritten, you need to refer to specific parts and concepts of the chapter which you feel need this attention most urgently.

(3) The concept of "Externalities" refers to a rather amorphous (vague) and diverse group of spillover effects which both influence and result from man's locational behaviors. Please introduce some dimensions which could help to differentiate these phenomena and/or identify distinctions which already have been made in the literature or in class.

• classnotes [we made the distinction between urbanization-, industrialization- and localization economies.
• H&I, pp.88-89

(4) Land-Use: "Intensive greenhouse-farming is part of the relatively extensive farming sector which, however, tends to be a very land-intensive type of economic activity." Confusing? Bring some order to the conceptual use of the terms "intensive" and "extensive".

• In class, we discussed the use of this terminology to point out
  • the need for "precision-thinking" and "precision-formulations"
  • the importance of the underlying concepts (diminishing returns, the von-Thunen concepts etc.) for understanding land uses, including urban and agricultural land uses, and the locational differences within these two categories.
  We emphasized two different contexts/uses to which these terms tend to be applied, namely
  1. The intensive or extensive use of a given unit of land refers to the inputs of factors of production which are combined with this given unit to produce some output. In case of "intensive" use of this given unit of land, we refer to relatively large quantities of other factors of production being applied to land; in the case of "extensive", it is the opposite, i.e. relatively small amounts.... Both kinds of land use can be efficient in different contexts... (which?)
  2. A land-intensive type of activity is an activity which requires relatively large amounts of land relative to other factors of production. A farming activity which engages in "extensive" uses of its land tends to be a rather land-intensive type of activity!
  3. Some of you introduced some additional complexity by suggesting that large-area farms have "extensive" (in the sense of substantial) land-holdings.

  Check Goodall under "intensive" and "extensive" agriculture (p.239 + 164)

BONUS:

• This BONUS question is based on the List passed around during class on January 29. A correct understanding of one's own concentration topic and "full disclosure" of these plans are vital for the desired collaboration at this stage of the project! [Maximum points: 3]