Doesn't the Structure of the Geographic Environment of the Urban Areas Matter? A Critical Review of the Literature on Spatial Cognition in People with Disorders

Articles in Press

Document Type : review

Authors

1 Department of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System-Faculty of geography-Tehran university-Tehran-Iran.

2 Department of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran

3 Department of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

4 Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jurbangeo.2025.387764.2025

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of daily life is spatial cognition. However, physical or mental disorders affect the spatial cognition. In this regard, a critical review of the literature on spatial cognition in people with disorders was conducted. This review aims to provide a general overview of the current approaches toward the spatial cognition of people with disorders and highlight the neglect of the critical role that the geographical environment plays in this field. We did not restrict our review to a particular group of people with disorders or a particular area of research or objective. After screening, 79 papers remained. The results showed that the articles have six main objectives, of which investigation of abilities and strategies (51.9%), aid tool development and evaluation (19%), and examination of the effect of neural mechanisms related to the SC (8.9%) have the largest share. Additionally, the studies have three approaches, including psychological-neurological (46.8%), technological (29.1%), and physiological (21.5%). 2.6% of studies also have an educational approach to this field. We concluded that the geographical environment is underappreciated in the existing literature on spatial cognition in people with disorders, although it plays a significant role in spatial cognition, and spatial cognition disorders are attributed to the human organism. The findings of this review are beneficial for the researchers in the geographic science, especially urban planning, who are interested in conducting their research in the field of spatial cognition in people with disorders and its relationship with the structure of urban geographical environment.

Keywords

Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 June 2025

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