Geographies of Unsustainability - a Neopragmatic Regional Geography of Louisiana

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Olaf Kühne
• Subject Area: Human Geography
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 456815776

The main objective of the proposed project is the further development of the theoretical foundations of "Regional Geography" and the linking of both theory and methods, tested on the case study region Louisiana (United States) against the background of sustainable development. A special focus will be placed on the representation of Louisiana's development by the media, especially in Internet-based communication. Consequently the research project is essentially linked to three research objectives:1) Basic research for a further development in the theory formation of a "neopragmatic framework" and with potential for "horizontal geography";2) Theoretical and methodological development of media-geographic access in the context of the digitization of the world in dealing with "horizontal geography";3) To conceptually fertilize the connection between regional geography and future issues based on sustainable development and the assessment framework of a life chances approach by Ralf Dahrendorf. The exemplary elaboration will be based on the example of Louisiana (USA), since Louisiana is affected by a variety of global and regional challenges, such as the use of natural resources, extreme environmental pollution, climate change, coastal erosion, water as a threat and basis of life, great social contrasts with regard to living and educational opportunities, etc.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants