The diffusion and development of time-geography in East Asia: The academic life paths of two key scholars

Abstract

A summary of the diffusion and development of time-geography in East Asia, specifically in Japan and China, is presented in this article. Previous studies have provided reviews of time-geographic research and spacetime behaviour research in both countries. Few studies, however, have told the story about how and why timegeography diffused into East Asia. By showing and analysing the academic life paths of Yoshio Arai and Yanwei Chai, we conclude that the development of time-geography in Japan and China goes hand in hand with their academic progress. Moreover, the interactions within their academic life paths mark some key events that promoted time-geography significantly. The similarities and differences between their academic life paths are also analysed in this article. Both scholars shared some common research topics, such as childcare problems, urban spatial structures and socioeconomic transformations, which were also the most prominent characteristics of time-geography in East Asia. In addition, the socioeconomic backgrounds of their academic life paths are also quite similar, which reflects the close relationship between time-geography and societal needs. Finally, this article discusses the effectiveness and disadvantages of the academic life path method, as the method has proven to be an important tool in analysing the role that key scholars play in promoting a certain discipline. In conclusion, the diffusion and development of time-geography in East Asia can hardly have happened without both individual scholars’ hard work and the exchange and cooperation activities between scholars.

“Diorama, Path and Project” to Understanding Everyday Life and Urban Space in Transitional Chinese Cities

“…Compared to the process of urbanization, development, and social transformation in Sweden between the 1950s and 2000s that inspired the original formulation of time geography, Chinese cities have experienced a similar dramatic spatial and social transition since the start of marketoriented reforms and opening up policy in 1978. Particularly, Beijing, as capital city but representative of China's other megacities, has undergone an even more rapid transition since the late 1990s (Li et al 2020). Coincidently, time geography was introduced in Mainland China in the mid-1990s, was applied widely in geographic research on urban China since the mid-2000s, and has gained growing influence on urban planning practices since the early 2010s (Chai et al 2018).…”

“…Particularly, Beijing, as capital city but representative of China's other megacities, has undergone an even more rapid transition since the late 1990s (Li et al . 2020). Coincidently, time geography was introduced in Mainland China in the mid‐1990s, was applied widely in geographic research on urban China since the mid‐2000s, and has gained growing influence on urban planning practices since the early 2010s (Chai et al .…”