| The Ensemble of Port Development Factors in the Mediterranean Region: 1815--1999 is the title of this thesis which seeks to describe and explain port development in a specific geographic context. Spanning a period of nearly two centuries, this seaport study emphasizes spatial transformations rather than economic or political aspects.; The argument of the thesis is twofold. First, port development cannot be explained comprehensively in terms of singular parameters such as shipping technology or cargo handling methods. Rather, it must be seen as the result of an ensemble of factors in which cultural and geographic aspects are equally important. These factors, of which there may be a large number, are classified into the following 6 categories: hinterland, inland transport system, cargo, shipping technology, regional water transport system, and foreland.; Second, given that the factors in each category are subject to transformation over time, the relationship among them---and therefore the meaning and understanding of port development---may be under constant change. Thus, port development must be perceived as part of an evolutionary process. In the context of the Mediterranean region, 5 distinct periods of spatial change and port development are identified. These provide a temporal framework for the concept of port generations.; The scope of this inquiry has furnished a context in which to identify and explain the various port development factors in each category for the 5 time periods. Further, the port cities of Marseilles, Genoa and Alexandria are used as case studies to provide examples of port transformation. Finally, a synthesis diagram depicts the ensemble of the individual port development factors for each period. |
