The interpretation of the concept of resilience for researches in urban geography

Abstract

Resilience is an emerging concept from the broad spectrum of social sciences. Based on C. S. Holling’s research, its primary interpretation – the response of complex ecosystems to external shocks – has been transformed into divergent trajectories. In recent years, the concept of resilience has extended to the fields of various social sciences, including spatial sciences. Although the core of the original concept is still alive, there are significant differences in interpretation and application.

The present study attempts to summarize the main directions and approaches of the resilience concept with a double aim. On the one hand, it shows how the spatial sciences are influenced by resilience; on the other hand, it highlights the need for more complex interpretations, where complex systems can regain their stability not only after an unexpected shock from the economy, the environment or politics, but are also constantly forced to adapt to new challenges. Therefore, resilience in this research is interpreted as a social construction produced by a local community, based on systems of interlinked institutional and informal networks, including knowledge and skills carried by these networks, to enable continuous adaptation to the changing external socio-economic, political and ecological conditions.

Although there are some interpretations of resilience in the Hungarian social (sometimes even spatial) sciences, this concept is not yet a core element of discourses in human geography. Its wider use is perhaps hindered by some open questions: The study highlights the problem of novelty, the links to other concepts, the critical review and the uncertain measurability of resilience. Nevertheless, the study argues that resilience could be a relevant tool to reinterpret spatial development.

The last part of this study focuses on the possibilities of empirical work based on resilience. For this reason, the main features of a resilient settlement have been defined and a theoretical model introduced. The model recommends a survey of the local economy, society and governance, which should focus on three main characteristics: diversity, cohesion and autonomy. In addition, it briefly defines these characteristics in the various spheres of a locality, such as political-municipal, social and economic.

Although the model could theoretically be used for resilience-based research in a variety of locations, policy integration assumes the existence of local governance based on the principle of subsidiarity. For this practical reason, settlements with local governments are better suited for this research than larger units in Hungary. On the other hand, the demand for diversity was based on a relatively greater concentration of people and spatial activities, so that the model presented in the study is best suited for cities and not for villages.