The term blue banana describes an urbanized axis stretching across Europe, a concept established in 1989 by a research study overseen by Roger Brunet. Born in Toulouse in 1931, the French geographer shifted the discipline toward practical applications in planning and education, moving away from purely descriptive traditions to focus on structured spatial analysis.
Academic Foundations and Career
Brunet completed his education at the University of Toulouse, earning his doctorate in 1965. His early professional career spanned nearly two decades at the University of Toulouse - Jean Jaurès, where he taught from 1957 to 1976. He subsequently moved to the University of Reims, holding a professorship there from 1966 to 1976 and founding the IATEUR institute. His career later transitioned into institutional research, serving as a Director of Research at the National Center for Scientific Research from 1976 to 1981. Between 1981 and 1984, he held various advisory roles within French government ministries.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Contributions to Geography
In 1972, Brunet launched the journal L'Espace géographique to integrate academic geography into public policy and secondary education. He is primarily associated with the development of the chorem, a method for synthesizing complex human geography data through simplified spatial primitives. This cartographic technique became a subject of debate in the 1980s, functioning as an intellectual alternative to the geopolitical perspective championed by Yves Lacoste. He further expanded his publishing influence by establishing the journal Mappemonde in 1986.
Institutional Leadership
Beyond his individual research and cartographic developments, Brunet founded the public interest group RECLUS in 1984. He directed this organization until 1991, during which time he oversaw projects analyzing the French territory within the broader European landscape. His career achievements earned him several distinctions, including the Vautrin Lud Prize in 1996, as well as honorary doctorates from the University of Lausanne and the University of Liège.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Toulouse, France
- Education: University of Toulouse, PhD 1965
- Key Publication: L'Espace géographique (1972)
- Key Publication: Mappemonde (1986)
- Concept: Blue banana (1989)
- Awards: Vautrin Lud Prize (1996)
- Honorary Degrees: University of Lausanne, University of Liège
Questions readers ask
What is a chorem?
A chorem is a cartographic tool used to represent complex geographic information, such as human geography, through a simplified set of spatial primitives.
What does the blue banana concept represent?
It identifies a curved axis of highly urbanized regions running through Europe that bypasses France, developed during a 1989 territorial study.
Achievements
- Vautrin Lud Prize
- Honorary doctor of the University of Liège
- Honorary doctor of the University of Lausanne
- Recorded as geographer, professeur des universités and cartographer
