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Based on the recently developed approach of 'post-critical cartography', this article addresses how developments in cartography can be interpreted functionally, dysfunctionally, afunctionally, and metafunctionally. This interpretation takes up the sociological topic of deviance. Normatively, this article bases on Ralf Dahrendorf’s concept of life chances. It includes established terminology which can be applied to the development of cartography. For example, the development and dissemination of digital cartography, in different development stages, has shown to be functional. Cartographic representations restricting life chances due to disinformation and manipulation can be described as dysfunctional. Cartographic representations that do not receive positive responses from the public or the professional community can be characterized as afunctional. Metafunctional representations are capable of highlighting the contingency of the world and its cartographic interpretation, particularly by including the stylistic device of irony. Critical cartography has made some functional contributions to cartography, but it also comprises dysfunctional effects originating in its moral rigorism. This article intends to contribute to the preservation of its functional and to overcome its dysfunctional impacts. Aus dem kürzlich in Grundzügen entwickelten Ansatz einer ‚postkritischen Kartographie‘ werden in diesem Aufsatz Überlegungen abgeleitet, wie Entwicklungen der Kartographie funktional, dysfunktional, afunktional und metafunktional gedeutet werden können. Analytische Grundlage dieser Ableitung ist die aus der Soziologie entlehnte Befassung mit dem Thema der Devianz. Normativ basiert dieser Aufsatz auf dem Konzept der Lebenschancen von Ralf Dahrendorf. Die Entwicklung der Kartographie wird anhand der hier etablierten Terminologie nachgezeichnet. Dabei haben sich etwa die Entwicklung und Verbreitung der digitalen Kartographie in verschiedenen Entwicklungsphasen als funktional erwiesen. Als dysfunktional lassen sich kartographische Darstellungen beschreiben, die Lebenschancen aufgrund von Desinformation und Manipulation einschränken. Als afunktional lassen sich solche kartographischen Darstellungen beschreiben, die weder in der Öffentlichkeit noch in der Fachwelt auf Resonanz gestoßen sind. Metafunktionale Darstellungen sind geeignet die Kontingenz von der Welt und ihrer kartographischen Interpretation, insbesondere mit Hilfe der Nutzung des Stilmittels der Ironie, zu verdeutlichen. Da die kritische Kartographie zwar durchaus in der Lage war, funktional zu wirken, aber infolge ihres moralischen Rigorismus auch dysfunktionale Anteile hat, versteht sich dieser Artikel als Beitrag, die funktionalen Einflüsse zu erhalten und die dysfunktionalen zu überwinden.

The presented contribution is based on the testing of a 'neopragmatic' access to spaces in the context of horizontal geography using the case study of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA). In this approach, the focus is less on the theoretical framing or the detailed development of community development, but rather on the importance of thematic cartography in the neopragmatic approach of regional geography. The neopragmatic approach prioritizes the multi-perspective study of spatial constellations over theoretical 'purity' and methodological clarity. The investigation is 'horizontally' oriented and is characterized by the constructivist framed synthesis of research results from different disciplines (e.g., on economic or structural development).

Energy transition plays a central role in efforts to reduce anthropogenic global warming. However, energy transition involves physical manifestations, for example in the form of wind turbines, photovoltaic plants, and power lines, which trigger resistance, especially among those who live in the vicinity of the (planned) plants. The reasons for this resistance are complex, as they relate to residents’ emotional ties and/or stereotypical common-sense expectations of landscape. The complexity of landscape conflicts in general, and energy transition-related conflicts in particular, makes it difficult to capture the intricacy of the subject matter by means of a single theoretical perspective. To address this difficulty, a neopragmatic approach of identifying and combining appropriate theoretical perspectives is utilized to develop an analytic framework for understanding these conflicts. To this end, we draw on Dahrendorf’s conflict theory and the framing approach. Both have high complementary explanatory potential and empirical applicability, with the framing approach broadening the theoretical prism to include micro-individuals and groups to Dahrendorf’s meso-social perspective.