Socio-spatial Theory in Nordic Geography : Intellectual Histories and Critical Interventions

This open access book is about socio-spatial theory in, and the nature of, Nordic geography. From both historical and contemporary perspectives, the book engages with theorisations of geography in the Nordic countries. Including chapters by geographers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, it reflects how theories about the relations between the social and the spatial have been developed, adopted and critiqued in Nordic human geography in relation to a wide range of themes, concepts and approaches. The book also traces institutional developments, distinct geographical traditions and intellectual histories, as well as authors’ own experiences as geographers in and beyond the Nordic area. The chapters together introduce and engage with debates and discussions that permeate Nordic geography and allows readers a glimpse of geographical thinking and the role of socio-spatial theory in the Nordic countries. By providing insights into how geographical ideas emerge, travel andare translated and adapted in specific contexts, the book contributes to debates about historical-geographical situatedness and theorisations of geography.

Peter Jakobsen is a PhD student in human geography at Uppsala University. His current research is about the development of radical geographical thought in Denmark, and shifts from radical to critical geography in the Nordic countries. 

Erik Jönsson teaches human geography and planning at Uppsala University. His current research explores struggles over access to public space and the establishment of a network of People’s Parks in Sweden, and ongoing redevelopment projects in Malmö. 

Henrik Gutzon Larsen teaches human geography at Lund University. His current research addresses urban geography and housing, political geography and histories of geographic thought.