Applied geography: in pursuit of useful knowledge

Applied geography is concerned with the application of geographical knowledge and skills to the resolution of real-world social, economic and environmental problems, yet the approach has been the subject of criticism from Marxist and, more recently,]postmodern theorists. This paper examines the substance of this critique and employs the concept of useful knowledge to illustrate the principles, practice and potential of an applied geographical approach to the challenge of enhancing the quality of present and future living conditions and environments on the planet Earth. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.