Practices in Regional Science and Sustainable Regional Development : Experiences from the Global South

This book brings together the emerging trends and techniques incorporated in regional science during the first two decades of this millennium. The book includes systematic and analytical notes making scientific commentary on the innovative methods of regional development, measurement of the development, regional development models, and policy measures that have significant implications and wide applicability instrumental for India as well as the other global south countries. There is clear evidence in the global south of the uneven spatial distribution of resources, economic activities, literacy, and health conditions. The most striking fact is the coexistence of development and underdevelopment that makes the planning process complicated. This can hardly be explored without taking a deep insight into the matter of how the regional parameters are impacting regional society or economy to shape the development of that region. There can be no effective global policy framework that will be effective equally for each and every region to mitigate local issues of society or economy. It is here that the book integrates the efforts of practitioners working towards addressing these regional issues and striving for sustainable regional development through their innovative ideas.

Through its contributions, the book addresses development issues, regional impact of climate change, social justice, migration, well-being, livelihood vulnerabilities, and regional urban-environmental issues from the standpoint of regional science. It is a significant resource for researchers of spatial science, and policy makers.

Dr. R.B. Singh is a professor of geography at the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi; the secretary general and treasurer of the International Geographical Union (IGU); the chair of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)–Central Food Technological Research Institute of the Government of India, and a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the scientific committee Urban Health and Well-Being. He was awarded the prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Scientific Research Fellowship and has presented papers and chaired sessions in more than 40 countries. He has published 14 books, 35 edited research volumes, and more than 215 research papers. He has supervised 34 Ph.D. and 79 M.Phil. students. In 1988 the Unesco/the International Social Science Council awarded him research and study grants in social and human sciences.

Dr. Soumendu Chatterjee is a Professor and Head of the Department of Geography at Presidency University in Kolkata, India. He has been teaching Geographical Science at the undergraduate and graduate levels for more than twenty years. His primary research interest is in creating scientific models for predicting complex physical and human processes on the Earth’s surface. He has more than 100 publications in national and international journals of repute to his credit, and has headed several research projects funded by the University Grants Commission (of India), Department of Science & Technology (GoI), Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and other respected agencies in India and abroad.

Dr. Mukunda Mishra is an Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and designated Vice Principal of Dr. Meghnad Saha College in West Bengal, India. The college is affiliated to the University of Gour Banga. Dr. Mishra completed his postgraduate studies in Geography and Environmental Management at Vidyasagar University (receiving top rank in both the B.Sc. and M.Sc. panels of merit) and holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the same University. He was selected for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. His research chiefly focuses on\ analyzing unequal human development, and on creating multi-criteria predictive models. He has more than ten years of hands-on experience in dealing with development issues at the ground level in various districts of eastern India.

Dr. Andrews José de Lucena is an Adjunct Professor, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He has completed his Master in Geography from the State University of Rio de Janeiro and holds a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Postgraduate Institute and Engineering Research (COPPE/UFRJ). His research interest is chiefly concerned with the urban climate and its research methods, climate change, and environment. He Participated and integrated research projects with several professionals and institutions in the area of Climatology and Urban Meteorology, Atmospheric Hydrological Modeling, Remote Sensing in Urban Areas and Urban Development in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro. He coordinates the Integrated Laboratory of Applied Physical Geography (LIGA/UFRRJ) and integrates the Environmental Satellite Applications Laboratory of the Meteorology Department (LASA/UFRJ). He manages the website www.climatologia.com.br with information about land surface temperature (LST) of the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro from 1984 to the present.