rss_2.0Sciendo RSS Feed for GeoScapehttps://sciendo.com/journal/GEOSChttps://www.sciendo.comhttps://sciendo-parsed.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/6471e04a215d2f6c89db3c6c/cover-image.jpghttps://sciendo.com/journal/GEOSC140216https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0010<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>India’s unique geographical, economic, and cultural landscapes present distinct challenges and opportunities for developing greenways. Unlike their counterparts in the United States and Europe, Indian greenways must navigate fragmented and varied green spaces across different regions. This paper delves into the ecological, environmental, and planning advantages of greenways, proposing a methodology tailored for the Indian context. It outlines a comprehensive template for greenway design, drawing upon academic literature, satisfaction surveys, and insights from local ecological experts. The methodology is applied to a case study in Pune, Maharashtra, resulting in a template design for greenways network that seamlessly integrates the existing fragmented network of green paths. This paper further explores the integration of urban infrastructure by defining a non-motorized traffic network that connects metropolitan centers to the region’s rich cultural heritage resources. Embark on a journey to discover how greenways can revolutionize sustainable non-motorized transportation in India, transforming urban landscapes and fostering a healthier environment for all.</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>The impacts of Urban Greenways in a city are nodal for non-motorized transportation with conservation of ecology.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Spatial assessment of Greenways is one of the important tasks for preparation of Development plan in Urban and Peri urban region.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>An integrated Greenway design template has been prepared by taking into consideration various factors for the integration of greenway within the development plan with assessment of greenways as future scope</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00102024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0009<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Several typical negative phenomena can be observed in a structurally gion. Economic factors (often linked to higher unemployment rates, frastructure, and services) but also demographic factors (ageing role. The overall quality of life in a given locality is usually enced by leisure opportunities, environmental quality or crime to a combination of these factors that young and talented people gion. Structurally disadvantaged regions are paying considerable of the Brain Drain, as the exodus of highly skilled labour further and social situation. The aim of this study is to find out what push ence young, university-educated individuals to make migration focus on the individuals who live in the Ústí Region, one of the regions in the Czech Republic. Based on a qualitative analysis of cus groups, the main factors that are important for young people defined. Subsequently, a quantitative survey was conducted (N=462), university students under 25 years of age residing in the Ústí nad on Friedman’s ANOVA and subsequent post hoc analysis, the main gration were identified. Three main push factors (i.e. driving ’Opportunity to spend leisure time’; ’Good job’; and ’Convenient of residence’. Pull factors (i.e. what keeps individuals in the tions’ and ’Affordable housing’. The results of the study can be used to develop strategies for talent stabilization.</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>Push and pull factors for migration decisions of university-educated in the structurally disadvantaged region are analysed.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Perception of push and pull factors is studied focusing on the spondent would be better off or worse off if they moved from the</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Based on descriptive and statistical analysis, it was found that individuals mostly miss more cultural, sporting and social more leisure opportunities), a good job and a comfortable and to live in (push factors).</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Pull factors, on the other hand, include social connections of birth) and affordable housing. Local municipalities can for retaining talent in the region on these findings.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Future research should delve deeper into social and psychological not yet been explored in detail.</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00092024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0013<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This paper deals with the assessment of the demand for cultural using participatory mapping in the Local Action Group (LAG) ties of the White Carpathians and Trenčín Microregion and the Bošáčka vakia. CES as non-material services provided by ecosystems are development. While, tourism is not very developed in the case study of residents and visitors to the area were investigated and compared. per is to map the demand for CES, both from the perspective of and to propose appropriate forms of tourism for LAG municipalities ferent demand for CES. We collected the data using a questionnaire locations in the territory of the LAG from July to October in 2023, target groups (n=100 and n=108). Participatory mapping helped to locations in the country. Based on the results, we established a tance of locations in terms of tourism interest. The survey shows is influenced by the availability of the location as well as the about the area. In the case of attractive locations, both residents to tolerate the lack of tourism services such as small number of ing facilities, incomplete information or worse transport that high demand for CES prevails among residents and visitors in residents identified more locations where demand for CES occurs. search are of considerable importance in the implementation of the tem services in the territory development documents, since on their to strengthen and especially optimise the development of tourism</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>This paper assesses demand for cultural ecosystem services (CES) tory mapping within specific regions of Slovakia, with a focus velopment in less-visited areas.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Data collected from residents and visitors shows shared interest CES locations, where limited tourism infrastructure is tolerated natural and cultural appeal.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Findings provide insight for integrating CES demand into plans, aiming to enhance and optimize tourism sustainably based tor preferences.</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00132024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0012<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Water management is one of the crucial factors that impact the globally. As droughts become more frequent due to global warming, of this limited resource becomes increasingly important. Lately, tion of wastewater for irrigation purposes is considered a game that in many cases, wastewater treatment is poorly studied. This the EU member states water management practices based on the FAO Kruskal-Wallis test of the clustered countries revealed that the the most attention to wastewater treatment within the EU. Even oped countries treat quite low amount of wastewater, and based on are more likely to face water scarcity, the applied methods did not between the water stress levels of the clustered member states. cal tests highlighted that the various water stress levels of the not be connected with the utilization of the existing irrigation results, increasing the application of the built-out system may cient to serve and even increase the operation of the agricultural putting additional strain on the resources in the short term. of wastewater-based irrigation systems could be useful in those lization of the existing irrigation system is already high, or face Since we are still learning how to deal with this new resource, the of less contaminated water sources like collected rainwater or the development of the new system. This promising approach could significantly to several Sustainable Development Goals but also hance and over time even supersede the current method.</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>The research analyzes water management practices across the member states using FAO’s Aquastat database.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>The study found that developing EU regions pay more attention to ment compared to more developed regions, which treat a lower ater despite facing water scarcity risks.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>The EU countries’ diverse water stress levels could not be of the current irrigation system. In short term, the built-out the demand of the agricultural production without increasing sure on the limited resources.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>The wastewater-based innovations should utilize less contaminated like collected rainwater or greywater in more water-stressed the development of a new sustainable irrigation system.</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00122024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0011<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This study embarks on an exploration of the intricate relationship and housing prices within the dynamic urban landscape of Santiago, from 2008 to 2019. Amidst an escalating housing affordability crisis prevalence of informal settlements, this research seeks to elucidate tors contributing to housing price dynamics, with a particular prices. Utilizing a robust dataset encompassing over 556,400 compiled from the Santiago Real Estate Registrar, this investigation multi-criteria evaluation methodology, incorporating Granger the complex interplay between various economic indicators. At the sis lies the innovative application of weekly data transformations Dicky-Fuller test to ensure the stationarity of variables, thereby for the Granger causality assessment. The study’s findings scape where, contrary to prevailing assumptions, land prices do significant impact on housing prices. Instead, the influence of land fordability is intricately linked to other pivotal factors, inflation, and market indices such as the Santiago Stock Exchange not only challenges conventional wisdom regarding the primacy of ing market dynamics but also offers valuable insights into the estate economics in Santiago. By unraveling the limited causality ing prices, this study contributes a critical perspective to the development and housing policy in Chile. It underscores the to adopt a more holistic approach, considering a broader spectrum in addressing the housing affordability crisis and fostering</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>Land value has traditionally been considered a fundamental prices; however, the evidence provided argues that this condition cal.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>It is crucial for macroeconomic policymakers to consider that sures impact housing prices.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>The performance of stocks in local stock markets has a statistically pact on housing prices, creating room to incorporate financialization to be addressed through public policy.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>The mortgage rate is a determining factor in ensuring housing for which central banks can take measures aimed at improving curity through differentiated monetary policy options by products.</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00112024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0008<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This qualitative study focuses on how individuals living in two that rank highest in the happiness index develop and sustain their happiness research employs quantitative methods to compare national recent studies advocate for a contextual and process-focused This research emphasises the spatial aspects of happiness and hance it, contributing to a deeper understanding of happiness in The cases are Mexico City, Mexico and San José, Costa Rica, which high in happiness despite their low GDP. A total of 16 in-depth out online with participants living in each of the case study sites. that interviewees’ happiness is shaped by context-specific factors curity, and housing. The COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted housing quality, highlighted barriers to spatial capability. The viduals developed happiness strategies and community participation satisfaction and happiness capability. Conformity-driven happiness phenomenon, essential to life satisfaction. The paper contributes standing of happiness in different environments and people’s happiness.</p> <p>Highlights for public administration, management and planning: <list list-type="bullet"> <list-item><p>Influence of Environmental and Social Factors on Happiness: For tration and urban planning, this study highlights how basic life as creating and maintaining environments, enhance residents’ piness.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Role of Spatial Capability in Happiness: For public policy and concept of spatial capability emphasises the need to improve design and transportation to support citizens’ overall happiness</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Impact of Social Support and Conformity on Well-being: For public and community planning, fostering strong social networks and health initiatives can be vital in promoting residents’ happiness being.</p></list-item> <list-item><p>Implications for Public Policy and Urban Planning: The findings policies should aim to enhance people’s capabilities by providing efficient mobility, and support for social groups. This approach happier, more sustainable communities.</p></list-item></list> </p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00082024-12-21T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0003<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Research on the concept of sense of place (SOP) has become increasingly important in recent years. However, literature is dominated by studies dealing with the concept outside the field of education. Yet its potential for geography and environmental education (GEE) is considerable. The aim of this literature review is to determine how SOP is conceptualised in research, what the focus of the research objectives are, which research methods are used to validate the concept in primary and secondary GEE, and to summarize the main research findings concerning both primary and secondary school students. Fifty relevant studies from two literature databases - Web of Science, and Scopus - were searched and analysed. The results show that students’ SOP is conceptualized predominantly through the sub-concept of place attachment, is examined predominantly through qualitative research methods, and that research has focused on the process of developing and fostering SOP, as well as identifying its potential in specific individuals. Place-based education and environmental education programs are effective in the process of students’ SOP formation. The conceptualization of students’ SOP and its empirical research can contribute to its effective implementation in GEE. This promotes the development of students’ relationship with the environment, which is one of the key aspects in the process of building their geographical and environmental literacy.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00032024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0005<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The need to act on urban expansion has been a common concern throughout the history of urbanism. Different authors have shown how in industrialized countries the old distinctions between urban and rural become blurred. The location and conformation of new leisure, commercial and tertiary objects have become triggers for new looks at the urbanization edges of industrial cities. Although they have been less explored in non-industrial cities or cities with a lower degree of industrialization, different studies show that these characteristics seem to be combined there with other factors such as social housing, progressive expansion of the urban fabric and degraded areas. Nevertheless, could there be a theory that enlightens the conditions and transformations of the metropolitan edge and guides their research? The aim of this work is to compare four key approaches: spaces in socio-spatial transformation, multi-actor project, multiple, dynamic and heterogeneous uses, and non-universal spatial delimitation, focusing on three categories: concept, attribute, and methodology. This research is grounded in the selection of relevant publications based on their substantive scope, significant impact factor index, and/or number of citations, as well as the international recognition of researchers. These findings underscore the importance of theorizing the metropolitan edge as a process that transforms inherited spaces according to their socio-economic, historical, and environmental contexts. The results reflect the need for denominations and classifications that help us to differentiate analytically and cartographically the multiple landscapes of the metropolitan edge and question us about the specificity of this territory that extends between urban nuclei and rural space, the processes that have overlapped over time, and their logics.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00052024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0004<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Lynch’s (1960) Theory of Imageability explores how individuals perceive and navigate urban environments, emphasizing the role of paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks. This theory highlights the significance of these elements in shaping people’s mental maps and enhancing their understanding and navigation of urban spaces. However, cultural tourism introduces complexities to Lynch’s framework due to its unique motivations, interests, and behaviours. This article investigates the relationship between visitor mobility patterns and urban morphology in the context of two cultural destinations: Bilbao and San Sebastian. The study utilizes Network Analysis of visitors’ GPS data to analyse the dynamics of visitor mobility within these urban environments. This data-driven approach facilitates a comprehensive understanding of how cultural destinations operate within their physical territories. Results reveal that both San Sebastian and Bilbao exhibit a distinct “D-shaped” mobility pattern, characterized by a clear and uncomplicated flow of movement. This finding aligns with Lynch’s theory (1960), emphasizing the importance of simplicity and legibility in shaping visitors’ cognitive maps and mental representations of the urban space. The concentration of cultural landmarks in the Old Town and the challenges of congestion and overtourism are brought to light through the network analysis of GPS data. The accompanying figures visually illustrate how the ease of navigation in these cities significantly contributes to the formation of visitors’ cognitive maps.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00042024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0007<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This study examines the changing age structure in Slovakia and ageing process, analyzing district-level data from 2001, 2010, and 2020. The research highlights significant ageing trends across most Slovak districts. These demographic changes have profound implications, including potential labor shortages, increased demand for healthcare and social services, social isolation, pension system strain, and shifting housing needs towards older adults. Understanding these trends and regional variations is vital for effective planning and provision of education, social services, and healthcare for diverse age groups in Slovakia. Our research underscores the complexity of implementing effective measures to mitigate the consequences of demographic ageing, given the regional disparities in ageing intensity. This study offers valuable insights for optimal planning. The challenges identified, such as financing social and healthcare systems and supporting vulnerable groups, are not unique to Slovakia but are shared by many countries undergoing similar demographic transitions. By examining Slovakia’s approach, we contribute to the broader discourse on demographic ageing and highlight the need for future research to focus on comparative studies between regions and countries. This will help identify best practices and innovative solutions that can be adapted to various socio-economic contexts, fostering international collaboration and informed policy-making to address the global impact of ageing populations.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00072024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0006<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Drawing on a highly detailed database of anonymized tax returns (N = 400,000) from Czechia (2008–2020), we aim to describe and explain regional patterns in individual giving. The key research question is to what extent regional differences are shaped by individual factors and to what extent by factors at the regional level, including regional economic performance and structure (industrial, ownership), position in the urban hierarchy, human and social capital, rurality, and political preferences. Czechia is a relatively small, developed, and ethnically homogeneous country, with a centralised tax system. Potential regional differences in individual giving are likely to be driven by particularities of economic structure and/or social capital. Hierarchical linear regression models with fixed effects were employed to distinguish the effects of these two groups of factors.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00062024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0002<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Multilevel governance concept has been increasingly coined by the EU environmental and climate adaptation policies, but its implementation in some countries faces the heavy dominance of state-level perspective in public discourse. This article explores interactions between regional policies (based especially on the Adaptation Strategy, the Nature Recovery Plan, and their action plans), institutional management (how public institutions approached environmental and climate adaptation needs through the design of their institutional areas), and individual needs (how individuals were considered and involved). Methodology includes the content analysis of documents framing regional policies and a questionnaire collected during September 2021 (in which 150 public institutions were addressed and 87 of them responded). Data show that even though the Košice region strived for holistic approach, cooperation, and participation, the proclaimed values and the real-life situation differed. The developed regional strategy was rather unbalanced, projects implemented by individual institutions seemed to be driven by financial aids rather than real needs, and individuals’ needs as well as their participation on implementing environmental policies were often neglected.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00022024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-0001<abstract> <title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Rawa Aopa National Park has experienced a severe wildfire. These fires are affected by several factors, including topography, meteorology, vegetation, and source of fire. This study uses a Machine Learning approach based on re-sampling methods (e.g. crossvalidation, bootstrap, and random subsampling) to evaluate, and improve the performance of twelve basic Machine Learning algorithms: Generalized Linear Model, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Boosted Regression Trees, Classification And Regression Tree, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines, Mixture Discriminate Analysis, Flexible Discriminant Analysis, Maximum Entropy, Maximum Likelihood, Radial Basis Function, and Multi-Layer Perceptron, analyze the causes of wildfires, and the correlation between variables. The model is evaluated by Area Under Curve, Correlation, True Skill Statistics, and Deviance. The evaluation results show that Bt-RF has a good performance in predicting wildfire susceptibility in TNRAW with AUC=0.98, COR=0.96, TSS=0.97, and Deviance=0.15. An area of 644.88 km² or the equivalent of 59.82% of the area is a wildfire susceptibility area with the concentration of fires occurring in the savanna ecosystem which is around 245.12 km² or the equivalent of 88.95% of the jungle zone. Among the 17 parameters that cause fires, this area is strongly influenced by Maximum Temperature, Land Use Land Cover, and Distance from Road. There is a strong correlation between soil and distance from settlements = 0.96.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2024-00012024-06-29T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0013<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The aim of the research was to assess the developmental priorities of municipalities as they reflect the current policy objectives of the Czech Republic and the European Union, with a focus on the Green Deal and accelerating developmental changes in the external environment. To this end, the key priorities of the Just Transition Fund programme, which is designed for structurally affected regions in the Czech Republic, were selected. Specifically, these included themes in the areas of energy, waste management, transport, brownfield revitalisation and education. The method for obtaining information on the attitudes of municipalities was a questionnaire survey in 160 municipalities within the Ústí nad Labem Region, which also helped to assess the differences between small and large municipalities. The research found that municipalities are prioritising development in energy and waste treatment. At the same time, small municipalities, with under 1000 inhabitants, are slower to develop projects than larger municipalities, and larger municipalities were also more aware of the importance of sustainability issues for future municipal development.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00132023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0011<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>This study investigates the narratives surrounding COVID-19 in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. It assesses whether the narratives contained knowledge about the relationship between capitalist accumulation and expansion (CAnE) and the spread of COVID-19. Political ecologists argue that CAnE is associated with the spread of infectious zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. While studies on COVID-19 are growing, there has yet to be an exploration of ordinary people’s knowledge of the relationship between CAnE and COVID-19 spread, especially in Africa. Thus, this paper examines the narratives of COVID-19 in Nsukka to see whether they contain information about how COVID-19 spreads through CAnE. The findings revealed a significant evolution in the narratives of COVID-19 in Nsukka over time, reflecting changing perceptions and attitudes within the community. At the pandemic’s start, the dominant narratives centred around religious interpretations and scepticism about the virus’s reality. However, these initial religious and sceptical narratives gradually gave way to a different perspective, termed spatial othering, as the pandemic continued, suggesting that while acknowledging the virus as real, they believed it could not thrive in Nsukka or Nigeria. This shift was accompanied by the belief that the virus did not originate in the region and thus lacked agency to thrive there. The official government narrative, as observed in public health messages, primarily focused on hygiene and sanitation measures to curb the spread of the virus. Thus, it argues that political ecology knowledge about the pandemic is not acknowledged or endorsed in the ordinary people and government narratives, highlighting the need for diversified sources of knowledge, including non-conventional forms, to reach and educate local communities effectively. Hence, the central argument in the study is that even though CAnE can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 as formulated by political ecologists; this idea is absent in the narratives surrounding the pandemic in Nsukka. Whilst not discounting other sources of the pandemics and alternative perspectives, the study called for resistance against practices associated with capitalist expansion, highlighting the role of education in raising awareness, resistance and activism to address the vulnerabilities associated with capitalist expansion in the context of public health crises.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00112023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0008<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Regions are main building blocks of larger territorial units, but they also display high dynamics affecting how regional identities can be studied. The regional dynamics and multilayered nature ultimately require new approaches to their visual representation. The goal of this article is to present a novel approach to visual presentation of the administrative regions’ dynamics by cartographic means of representation in a synthetic map that can assist in the research of regional identities. We adopt the theory of the institutionalisation of regions, the administrative division of the state is a process in which the borders and names of regions are constantly transformed causing changes in the perception of the population. Then we analyse the laws on administrative division reforms and old/historical map documents. This enabled us to identify the dynamics of individual borders and names of administrative regions (choronyms) that form spaces with a higher or lower degree of stability. We propose a visualisation approach to represent such dynamics, and we assert that through cartographic visualisation of the degree of transformation in these spaces it is possible to get an insight into population’s awareness about the named regions and their delimitation.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00082023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0010<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>A significant phenomenon of sacral complexes in a landscape is their cultural heritage dimension. They are part of historical landscape structures, representing a type of cultural landscape. In addition, they are often perceived as important landscape landmarks and symbols. In Slovakia (Central Europe), most such complexes are abandoned and deteriorated. In this context presented paper deals with the assessment and possible future human use of Calvary in Hliník nad Hronom (Slovakia) in order to preserve it for future generations. A central aspect of our research work presented in this contribution is to elaborate a sustainable and feasible concept for the Calvary following the integrated approach of its revitalization. Firstly, we analyzed Calvary´s historical and regional setting with the help of a thorough review of literature, historical maps, and pictures. Then we evaluated architectural, landscape, and vegetation values, as well as landscape structure changes using relevant methodologies. Based on this evaluation, much fieldwork, and social survey we were able to identify the current problems of the place connected with abandonment and use, evaluated values, socio-economic factors, and preservation policies. Subsequently, we prepared a future concept for the Calvary following the selected criteria and distinguishing features and looking at the Calvary as a result of collective work. Finally, recommendations were formulated for legal framework and spatial planning procedures in order to enforce better preservation of values of sacral complexes in the country.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00102023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0007<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>A unified land use classification system with mutually exclusive definitions of each land use category helps to avoid inconsistencies in the planning process and, most importantly, ensures effective implementation of development control tools. In Bangladesh, the planning authorities prepare land use plans by independently deciding the land use classes. This study aims to explore the nature of inconsistencies in the land use classification systems followed by different planning institutions in Bangladesh and understand their corresponding consequences. To conduct the study, land use plans prepared by different planning institutions have been collected. Based on descriptive analysis, the study shows that the types of land use classes in land use plans change over time, between administrative units, and in different parts of the country. Even authorities are not consistent in maintaining a classification system in their subsequent plans. Moreover, the plans retain ambiguous definitions of land use classes. The classification and definitions of the land use classes are not well linked with different national acts, rules, and policies relating to environmental and natural conservation, which makes it difficult to control development and protect natural, environmental, and cultural resources. This study has the potential to help us understand the importance of a unified land use classification system. Utilizing concept hierarchy, the study has also developed a system for land use classification in Bangladesh that will assist in future research, planning, and policymaking.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00072023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0009<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>The present paper deals with the limited aspects of calculation of gender gap in terms of socio-economic variability measures in Sehore Municipal Council (Sehore M.C.), Madhya Pradesh, by partially utilizing Global Gender Gap Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Pronounced gender inequality in terms of Indian scenario and thrust of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced by the United Nations, on Gender Equality (Goal-5), have made it pertinent to assess gender gap in terms of socio-economic variability. The present study, therefore aims to measure the gender inequality in the upcoming city of Sehore, a class I city as per 2011 Population Census, in Madhya Pradesh. The study adopts the methodology of the Global Gender Gap Index of the WEF, and applies it to 15 variables over 3 sub-indices obtained from the household survey of 940 women across selected 17 localities covering 4 wards in Sehore M.C. The methodology includes the standardization of the selected variables and preparation of the composite index. As per the composite index mapping, 35% of the localities belong to very poor category, while 29% of the localities belong to poor category. Nearly 12% of the localities belong to each satisfactory, good and very good categories. The study concludes with suggestions for the promotion of gender parity in the city apart from highlighting the ongoing activities of the government for the women’s empowerment in the Sehore city.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00092023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-0012<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> <p>Post-construction Support (PCS) services refer to all forms of assistance/support given to water service providers (WSPs) to enable them to detect, correct and maintain water system infrastructure or prevent future system faults. PCS enhances the quality and sustainability of water supply services. This paper examines the provision of PCS to state water authorities in Nigeria. Specifically, we identified the sources of PCS and relevance of PCS; then we discussed the pattern of occurrence of system faults the bureaucracy associated with PCS provision across the sampled states. Finally, we examined the constraints to PCS provision and the options for overcoming the challenges. The study used empirical data derived from questionnaire surveys, through key informant interviews (KIIs) and from published literature. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools. Results of the study revealed the current sources and patterns of PCS provision which vary widely across the sampled states. PCS is provided intermittently based on resource availability and on the willingness of the provider. The constraints and bureaucracies associated with PCS provision cause prolonged and avoidable delays and limit quality service delivery with often great consequences for the end users. WSPs lack legislative, and policy instruments to compel governments to act and ensure that PCS services are provided speedily and in a sustainable manner. The poor quality of service delivery in the area can be traced, in part, to a lack of needed PCS services. Consequently, the way forward for WSPs is to confront the dearth of PCS in the water supply sector frontally. Suggestions on how to surmount the dearth of PCS and improve the quality of service delivery in the area were advanced.</p> </abstract>ARTICLEtruehttps://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/geosc-2023-00122023-12-14T00:00:00.000+00:00en-us-1