L'émergence et l'évolution des études et science régionales au Québec (1908-2008) Des liens et des lieux

This paper examines the emergence and evolution over a hundred years (1908-2008) of francophone regional studies and science and regional and territorial development in Québec (Canada). Focusing on various dimensions such as their intellectual roots and bearers, their institutional academic bases within geography, economics, sociology, planning, and other fields, their conceptions of science and regional planning and policies, theories and methods, space, time and agency, six configurations have been identified. The spectral analysis proposed of the domain show continuities, and changes, debates and tensions. It is argued that the attention has been concentrated on problems concerning spatial distribution of people, resources and economic activities and linkages between them and ecological, social and economic systems. It is argued that by revisiting publications stemming from various linguistic and social groups of scholars, network of regional scientists and practitioners could foresee new desirable directions to treat problems.