Browsing by Author "Kumpulainen, Harri"

The research deals with the regional spread and popularity of football in Helsinki from the late 1800's to the early 2000's. Structural changes of the city have transformed the nature of the city and its different parts. The operational prerequisites of football clubs are bound to both wider societal factors and action taken by local community and its population. The research scrutinises the regional changes and their societal and social background and reflects them to development in football. Following the principles of structural methodology the research studies mechanisms and social structures behind the visible appearance of societal phenomena. The prevalent structure of communities and societies explain the reasons of distinguishable human activities. The geographical theoretic framework is based on the precepts of regional study. Of particular importance are the different types of spatial diffusion that give a theoretical explanation to the spread of football. The history of Helsinki and football in Helsinki are linked to form a coherent narration that creates comprehensive outlook on the structural change and development of the city and its football activity. The result is an overview of regional preconditions for football in Helsinki and a theoretical model that illustrates the regional placement of football.