Abstract
The study of shade and shaded spaces has attracted growing interest in a number of disciplines. Although geographic studies specifically focused on this subject are relatively rare, there is a substantial body of interdisciplinary research that addresses the theme of shade in relation to ecological, urban, medical and social research interests. There have recently been calls to further analyze these spaces, especially if we consider their importance in relation to climate change. In response to this, this paper aims to examine shade as a field of geographical research through a literature review. Ninety-four articles published in international journals between 1990 and 2024 were identified. The articles were analyzed with particular reference to the distribution in time of the publications, the geographic location of the case studies, interdisciplinary connections, research interests, and the methodologies used. The study reveals the interdisciplinary nature of shade studies and their growth in recent years. The literature analysis enables us to identify dominant research trends and at the same time highlight certain gaps. The study also emphasizes the value of shade as a resource, its many benefits, and its environmental and social significance as a geographical factor at various levels. In conclusion, this paper seeks to bring the topic of shade to the forefront of research, encouraging further empirical studies with a particular focus on the right to shade and climate change mitigation.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have