Journal for Geography
type: channel
description: Frequency: 2 issues per year Editor-in-Chief: Peter Kumer The Journal for Geography is dedicated to the publication of original scientific articles in the field of geography and related sciences. When publishing, we take into account the standards that are established internationally. Two issues are published annually. Articles are published in Slovenian, English or German. The editorial board consists of internationally renowned geographers from all continents. The Journal for Geography is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the author, user or his/her institution. License: CC BY
publisher: Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru
language: en
publication name: Journal for Geography
issn: 1854-665X
items: Reports in 2025
items: Exploring the different ways of small-town development in Central and Eastern Europe
items: Simulation Methods in Geography Education: Examples of Good Practice
items: The Central-European small town: interpretations, challenges and resilience in Hungary
items: Upper Vipava Valley as a promising tourist destination: Opportunities and challenges in tourism and the impacts of climate change
items: Characteristics of Rural Architectural Housing Typologies in Doukkala area, Morocco
items: Shrinking Small Towns in Serbia: Development Challenges and Planning Policy Opportunities
items: Revitalization of the rural settlement Goranci (Bosnia and Herzegovina) through the “smart village” concept
items: Provision of central services in rural areas: Views of the elderly population in Hrvatsko Zagorje, Croatia
items: Exploring Regional Disparities and Stakeholder Engagement in Slovenian EIP-AGRI Projects
items: Solid Waste Management and its Problem in Asmara City of Eritrea
items: A Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Magnitude and Direction in Europe from the Pliocene to the Anthropocene
items: Analysis of development factors and by-products of small towns – case study of the town of Chojnice (Poland)
items: The Role of Smaller Towns in Algeria: An Urban and Economic Perspective
items: From Philosophy to Practice: Città Slow and Green Space Planning in Small Urban Communities
items: New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 3)
items: New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 4)
items: New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 2)
items: New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 1)
items: Social circumstances in Slovenia according to selected elements
items: Soil in Prekmurje in the light of climate change
items: Sustainable Development of the Moravian Countryside
items: Restraints and Opportunities of the Romanian Rural Areas
items: Neoendogenous In- and Output of Selected Rural Areas: the Case of Economic Cycles in Slovenia
items: Influence of Tertiary Activities on Transformation of the Rural Settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina
items: Grain Amaranth as an Alternative and Perspective Crop in Temperate Climate
items: Are consumers in Slovenia concerned about the mountain quality food
items: Conservation of Rice Terraces in Japan - Roles of the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association
items: Health Resorts and Their Importance for the Development of Less Developed Areas in Slovenia
items: New Challenges for the Organic Farmers in India – Tourism, Spices and Herbs

Reports in 2025
type: item
subject: Reports
  topic: section
creator: Danijel Davidović
creator: Peter Kumer
creator: Nika Jager
creator: Ana Pozderec
creator: Nina Tivadar
creator: Ožbej Očko
creator: Marko Fišer
creator: Aleksej Muhić
creator: Ana Vovk
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Peter Kumer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-30
publication date: 2025-06-30
starting page: 133
ending page: 160
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.1.5664

Exploring the different ways of small-town development in Central and Eastern Europe
type: item
description: Small town research represents a dominant part in urban geography. Being a transitional settlement type between urban and rural landscapes, it is important to define the roles of small towns regarding economy, services and infrastructure, recreation, or simply by their representations and identity. In this article, we aim to provide an insight into small town research in Central Eastern Europe and beyond, based on a 2024 summer school, focusing on the changing development paths of small towns.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
subject: small town
  topic: keywords
subject: Central Eastern Europe
  topic: keywords
subject: development
  topic: keywords
creator: Éva Máté
creator: András Trócsányi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Éva Máté, Dr. András Trócsányi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-30
publication date: 2025-11-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 10
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5637

Simulation Methods in Geography Education: Examples of Good Practice
type: item
description: The paper provides an analysis of the application of the simulation method in Geography education at the primary school level. Following a theoretical overview of the method’s development and a discussion of its advantages and limitations, the study considers its potential within current classroom implementation of the Croatian Geography Curriculum. The central part of the paper presents examples of good practice through classroom simulations of sessions of international organizations (the European Commission and the United Nations Security Council), conducted by the author in May 2024 and 2025 in two primary schools. In total, 12 simulations were conducted across six seventh-grade and six eighth-grade classes, involving 78 students. The evaluation results show that 57% of students achieved the grade excellent (A), 32% very good (B), and 21% good (C), with only one student receiving a passing grade (D). The analysis highlights students’ high motivation, the development of communication and negotiation skills, and their perceptions that experiential learning facilitated more meaningful knowledge acquisition. The method also enables teachers to gain a more comprehensive insight into students’ competencies, while enriching teaching by linking geographical content with civic education and cross-curricular themes.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: simulation method
  topic: keywords
subject: geography
  topic: keywords
subject: education
  topic: keywords
subject: good practice
  topic: keywords
subject: curriculum
  topic: keywords
creator: Danijel Bačan
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Danijel Bačan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-29
publication date: 2026-03-29
starting page: 83
ending page: 112
doi: 10.18690/rg.21.1.5475

The Central-European small town: interpretations, challenges and resilience in Hungary
type: item
description: Small towns are long-term stable elements of the urban network with established residential and service roles. Geographical research has often neglected them, and accordingly, certain conceptual issues require clarification. However, particularly in countries with low urbanisation, small towns play a significant role in the transformation and modernisation of rural areas. Nevertheless, the increasingly global scale of economic and social processes poses a considerable challenge to their traditional functions, reshaping their development framework. In this evolving context, the flexible adaptive capacity of small towns – defined as resilinece – becomes crucial. Alongside addressing globalisation challenges, this study outlines a cognitive resilience model that could also serve as the basis for a new planning practice.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: small towns
  topic: keywords
subject: globalisation
  topic: keywords
subject: reindustrialisation
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: Hungary
  topic: keywords
creator: Gábor Pirisi
creator: Balázs Berkecz
creator: Nomin Enkhtamir
creator: Péter Merza
creator: András Trócsányi
creator: Éva Máté
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Gábor Pirisi, Nomin Enkhtamir, Péter Merza, András Trócsányi, Éva Máté, Balázs Berkecz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-30
publication date: 2025-10-30
starting page: 51
ending page: 72
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5201

Upper Vipava Valley as a promising tourist destination: Opportunities and challenges in tourism and the impacts of climate change
type: item
description: The Upper Vipava Valley holds exceptional potential to develop into an exclusive tourist destination, thanks to its natural assets, which are only now beginning to be fully recognised. Currently in the early stages of tourism development, the region is shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices, bringing both challenges and numerous opportunities. Over the past decade, the area has undergone noticeable changes, driven by increased tourism activity and the effects of climate change. The Upper Vipava Valley has evolved from a visually less attractive destination into a sophisticated and appealing nexus of viticulture, gastronomy and outdoor recreation. This initial phase of tourist development is critical: the Upper Vipava Valley can either advance to a high-end tourist centre or remain in the limited and unrealised stages of its tourism potential.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: Upper Vipava Valley
  topic: keywords
subject: emerging tourism
  topic: keywords
subject: viticulture
  topic: keywords
subject: winemaking
  topic: keywords
subject: climate change
  topic: keywords
creator: Tisa Princes Ledinek
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Tisa Princes Ledinek https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-02-10
publication date: 2026-02-10
starting page: 27
ending page: 60
doi: 10.18690/rg.21.1.5220

Characteristics of Rural Architectural Housing Typologies in Doukkala area, Morocco
type: item
description: Doukkala, located in central Morocco, features diverse rural architecture shaped by nine tribes according to local resources and traditions. This article explores the transition from traditional to modern housing, highlighting differences in form, construction methods, materials, and functions, as well as challenges faced by rural dwellings. It also examines state efforts to preserve and valorize traditional housing as cultural heritage. The study applies a descriptive and historical approach, combining field research, scientific literature, and terrain observation using ArcGIS and satellite imagery to analyze rural housing typologies in the Doukkala region.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: Doukkala
  topic: keywords
subject: architecture
  topic: keywords
subject: rural housing
  topic: keywords
subject: Tazota housing
  topic: keywords
subject: urban transformation
  topic: keywords
creator: Youssef El aoud
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Youssef El aoud https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-30
publication date: 2025-06-30
starting page: 105
ending page: 132
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.1.4959

Shrinking Small Towns in Serbia: Development Challenges and Planning Policy Opportunities
type: item
description: Serbian territorial policies actively supported small towns during the socialist period, fostering growth. However, the post-socialist transition brought socio-political changes, economic restructuring, and widespread depopulation. Subsequent territorial policies have largely neglected the development of small towns, resulting in urban shrinkage across much of the country. This paper examines the developmental challenges facing small towns in Serbia, focusing on their current position within national spatial policy and planning framework. Drawing on European spatial policy and theoretical insights, the research aims to: 1) identify the primary obstacles to development of small shrinking towns; and 2) explore potentials for policy improvement. The findings highlight the need for a more targeted and strategically aligned policy framework to revitalize Serbia’s small towns.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: small towns
  topic: keywords
subject: shrinking town
  topic: keywords
subject: Serbia
  topic: keywords
subject: spatial policy
  topic: keywords
subject: urban policy
  topic: keywords
creator: Milica Ljubenović
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Milica Ljubenović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-06
publication date: 2025-11-06
starting page: 109
ending page: 134
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5003

Revitalization of the rural settlement Goranci (Bosnia and Herzegovina) through the “smart village” concept
type: item
description: The “Smart Village” concept was officially defined in 2017 to alleviate and improve the economic and social situation in rural areas. Like many other rural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the village of Goranci has faced significant economic and social challenges since the mid-20th century. The research objective is to examine the local population’s attitudes toward applying the Smart Village concept in the Goranci area. The research results indicate dissatisfaction among the local community with the level of economic development, especially considering the area’s potential. At the same time, the analysis shows a strong correlation and a positive influence of the local population on the introduction of digital infrastructure and the potential implementation of the Smart Village concept. Furthermore, based on field research and an analysis of positive examples of good practice, the authors propose a potential model for applying the Smart Village concept in Goranci.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: Bosnia and Herzegovina
  topic: keywords
subject: Goranci
  topic: keywords
subject: smart village
  topic: keywords
subject: rural area
  topic: keywords
subject: revitalization
  topic: keywords
subject: Bosna and Hercegovina
  topic: subjects
subject: Goranci
  topic: subjects
subject: pametna vas
  topic: subjects
subject: podeželje
  topic: subjects
subject: revitalizacija
  topic: subjects
subject: podeželska geografija
  topic: disciplines
subject: podeželski turizam
  topic: disciplines
creator: Jelena Putica Džajić
creator: Barbara Marojević
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Jelena Putica Džajić, Barbara Marojević https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-29
publication date: 2026-03-29
starting page: 61
ending page: 82
doi: 10.18690/rg.21.1.5190

Provision of central services in rural areas: Views of the elderly population in Hrvatsko Zagorje, Croatia
type: item
description: This study explores demographic decline and the contraction of central services in the Zabok area of Hrvatsko Zagorje, Croatia. Using settlement-level analysis, a survey of residents aged 65+, and informal conversations, the relationship between long-term depopulation, ageing, and the spatial distribution of central services is examined. The results reveal spatial variation in the decline of education and retail, as well as differences in respondents’ ability to meet their daily needs, by settlement type. Findings highlight uneven development trajectories and the growing vulnerability of elderly populations.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: small town
  topic: keywords
subject: central services
  topic: keywords
subject: depopulation
  topic: keywords
subject: ageing
  topic: keywords
subject: elderly
  topic: keywords
subject: Croatia
  topic: keywords
subject: Hrvatsko Zagorje
  topic: keywords
creator: Korana Komar
creator: Petra Radeljak Kaufmann
creator: Aleksandar Lukić
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Petra Radeljak Kaufmann, Korana Komar, Aleksandar Lukić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-13
publication date: 2025-10-13
starting page: 11
ending page: 36
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5151

Exploring Regional Disparities and Stakeholder Engagement in Slovenian EIP-AGRI Projects
type: item
description: The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) was introduced to enhance EU’s capacity for agricultural innovation by bridging the gap between research and practise. This paper explores the implementation of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) in Slovenia, focusing on their spatial distribution, stakeholder networks and thematic priorities. Findings indicate multi-actor participation. However, farmers often take on a passive role in innovation processes and a linear knowledge transfer model persists. Strengthening their position as co-creators of innovations could improve its applicability and long-term impact. Environmental sustainability and climate adaptation are a key thematic priority, but project selection remains administratively driven rather than reflecting bottom-up stakeholder needs. A higher concentration is found in the Eastern Cohesion Region and Central Slovenia, likely due to agriculture’s role, farm density, as well as support networks, including agricultural educational and research institutions and advisory services.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: EIP-AGRI Operational Groups
  topic: keywords
subject: agricultural innovation
  topic: keywords
subject: multi-actor projects
  topic: keywords
subject: stakeholder networks
  topic: keywords
subject: Slovenia
  topic: keywords
subject: innovation policies
  topic: keywords
subject: agricultural policies
  topic: keywords
creator: Sara Mikolič
creator: Irma Potočnik Slavič
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Sara Mikolič, Irma Potočnik Slavič https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-30
publication date: 2025-06-30
starting page: 89
ending page: 104
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.1.5041

Solid Waste Management and its Problem in Asmara City of Eritrea
type: item
description: Urbanization, rising incomes, and lifestyle changes are major drivers of municipal solid waste generation, especially in developing countries. Asmara, Eritrea, faces significant waste management challenges, particularly due to a large, disorganized open dumping site at Betghiorghish. This site lacks a proper recycling strategy and threatens local biodiversity. A study was conducted to evaluate the types and amounts of waste generated in Asmara, using primary data collected from various economic groups through questionnaires. Study found a positive correlation between urbanization and waste generation. Moreover, different economic strata have different amount and nature of waste. There is report of increasing amount of non-biodegradable waste among the higher income people/region. An integrated sustainable planning is needed to manage the municipal waste.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: solid waste
  topic: keywords
subject: developing countries
  topic: keywords
subject: Asmara city
  topic: keywords
subject: dumping site
  topic: keywords
subject: waste management
  topic: keywords
subject: municipal garbage
  topic: keywords
subject: Geography
  topic: subjects
subject: Geography
  topic: disciplines
creator: Md Minhajul Hoda
creator: Masihulla Khan
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Masihulla Khan, Md Minhajul Hoda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-03-31
publication date: 2025-03-31
starting page: 25
ending page: 46
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.1.4015

A Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Magnitude and Direction in Europe from the Pliocene to the Anthropocene
type: item
description: Understanding paleo-climate changes on Earth is crucial for the development of global climate models that predict the climate of the 21st century, while these changes also serve as an important driver of recent biodiversity patterns. In this paper, we use Change Vector Analysis (CVA) to examine changes in average annual air temperature and precipitation in Europe, based on the PaleoClim and CHELSA databases, from the Pliocene to the end of the 21st century. We focus on regional similarities and differences in the magnitude and direction of changes. The results highlight the natural dynamics of the climate and serve as a calibration for future change forecasts, which form the basis for current and future adaptation strategies in Europe.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: mean annual precipitation
  topic: keywords
subject: mean annual air temperature
  topic: keywords
subject: CVA
  topic: keywords
subject: NMDS
  topic: keywords
subject: Paleoclim
  topic: keywords
subject: CHELSA
  topic: keywords
creator: Danijel Ivajnšič
creator: Daša Donša
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Danijel Ivajnšič, Daša Donša https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-01-02
publication date: 2025-01-02
starting page: 1
ending page: 24
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.1.4446

Analysis of development factors and by-products of small towns – case study of the town of Chojnice (Poland)
type: item
description: Small towns constitute a vital component of the local economy. However, they currently face numerous challenges related to demographic trends, urban investments, and the availability of local products. The town of Chojnice in Poland was selected as a case study for the research on the development factors of small towns and their by-products. Methods such as SWOT analysis were applied to assess development factors and local products, while the role of resources in creating by-products was also evaluated. The results indicate that Chojnice is experiencing a demographic crisis, while its unique geographical location presents both an advantage and a disadvantage.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: small towns
  topic: keywords
subject: territorial marketing
  topic: keywords
subject: small-town development
  topic: keywords
subject: social factors
  topic: keywords
subject: economic factors
  topic: keywords
subject: environmental factors
  topic: keywords
creator: Fabian Miszewski
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fabian Miszewski https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-04
publication date: 2025-11-04
starting page: 93
ending page: 108
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5050

The Role of Smaller Towns in Algeria: An Urban and Economic Perspective
type: item
description: This paper examines the vital role of smaller towns in Algeria’s urbanization, highlighting their influence on national and regional dynamics. As Algeria reflects global urbanization trends, disparities remain between the north and south. Smaller towns—urban centers with populations of 5,000 to 50,000—serve as key links between rural and urban areas, facilitating trade, services, and regional integration. Using census and economic data, the study employs quantitative analysis to evaluate their functions. Despite financial and administrative hurdles, these towns are crucial for promoting regional balance and easing urban concentration. The paper advocates policies to enhance infrastructure, economic opportunities, and services in small towns, emphasizing their significance for sustainable development and for reducing spatial inequalities in Algeria’s growing urban landscape.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: smaller towns
  topic: keywords
subject: urbanization
  topic: keywords
subject: regional dynamics
  topic: keywords
subject: economic activities
  topic: keywords
subject: Algeria
  topic: keywords
creator: Feyrouz Ahlam Saidi
creator: Ikram Saidi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Feyrouz Ahlam Saidi, Ikram Saidi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-04
publication date: 2025-11-04
starting page: 73
ending page: 92
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.5023

From Philosophy to Practice: Città Slow and Green Space Planning in Small Urban Communities
type: item
description: This paper examines the philosophy and principles of the Città Slow (Slow City) movement, which promotes a mindful and measured lifestyle in small urban environments. It explores how towns worldwide adopt these principles to strengthen community identity, preserve local traditions, and support environmental awareness. The study focuses on the Supra-Local Revitalization Program in selected towns in the Warmia and Mazury region of Poland, highlighting public space projects aligned with the movement’s values. Special attention is given to the role of greenery in urban planning, showing how green infrastructure improves aesthetics, fosters social cohesion, and enhances environmental resilience. The paper offers insights into the practical benefits of applying Città Slow principles for sustainable urban revitalization.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: Città Slow
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable urbanism
  topic: keywords
subject: public space revitalization
  topic: keywords
subject: green infrastructure
  topic: keywords
subject: community identity
  topic: keywords
subject: Supra-Local Revitalization Programe
  topic: keywords
creator: Agnieszka Jaszczak
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Agnieszka Jaszczak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-25
publication date: 2025-10-25
starting page: 37
ending page: 50
doi: 10.18690/rg.20.2.4963

New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 3)
type: item
description: The concept of rural development has undergone an important transformation process during the last decades, which has gone hand-in-hand with changes in the countryside and new demands from society. Rapid changes in the international economy-globalisation, improved communications and reduced transportation costs, changing trade patterns for commodities, as well as emergence of important non-farm activities in rural regions – confront rural regions with some obvious threats, but also with significant opportunities. Against this background, policy makers increasingly recognise that traditional sectoral policies need to be upgraded and, in some cases, phased out and substituted with more appropriate instruments. Particular concerns are raised by the modest positive impact that agricultural subsidies have on general economic performance even in the most farming dependent communities. Indeed, with farm families relying increasingly on off-farm employment, the economic success of rural communities will depend on the development of new economic engines.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
subject: sustainable rural development
  topic: keywords
subject: rural transformations
  topic: keywords
subject: rural communities
  topic: keywords
creator: Lučka Lorber
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 7
ending page: 14
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.3790

New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 4)
type: item
description: The relation between rural and urban areas differs widely through the World. In some areas, particularly in Europe, the distinction between rural and urban is becoming increasingly blurred. This regards in particular rural areas close to urban centres where a process of integration of rural and urban space is taking place. Thus many rural areas, while benefiting from an increased interaction with the urban areas close by and/or from an increasingly diversified economic base, also face the challenges of losing their rural characteristics and identity. At the same time more remote rural areas with low population density and a difficult economic development face an increasing dichotomy between rural and urban areas. Over the next decade urban agglomerations will benefit from current economic and demographic trends whereas many remote rural areas face increasing difficulties and needs to better capitalise their territorial potential.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Lučka Lorber
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-12-31
publication date: 2010-12-31
starting page: 7
ending page: 13
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.2.4039

New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 2)
type: item
description: This is a special issue of the Journal for Geography published at the occasion of the 17th Annual Colloquium of the IGU Commission on the Sustainability of Rural Systems entitled New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century, which took place from 13th to 18th July 2009 in Maribor, Slovenia. In this issue, experts from Australia, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia present, analyse and explain the diversity of ways to improve the quality of life in rural areas all over the world.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Lučka Lorber
rights: Copyright (c) 2009 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2009-12-31
publication date: 2009-12-31
starting page: 7
ending page: 14
doi: 10.18690/rg.4.2.4069

New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 1)
type: item
description: This is a special issue of the Journal for Geography published at the occasion of the 17th Annual Colloquium of the IGU Commission on the Sustainability of Rural Systems entitled New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century, which took place from 13th to 18th July 2009 in Maribor, Slovenia. In this issue, experts from Brazil, Australia, India, Japan, Israel, France, Ireland, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands and Slovenia present, analyse and explain the diversity of ways to improve the quality of life in rural areas all over the world.
subject: Editorial
  topic: section
creator: Lučka Lorber
rights: Copyright (c) 2009 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2009-06-30
publication date: 2009-06-30
starting page: 7
ending page: 14
doi: 10.18690/rg.4.1.4070

Social circumstances in Slovenia according to selected elements
type: item
description: The paper shows some characteristics of social structure of Slovenia. The elements of social structure are discussed in four groups: vitality of population, social infrastructure, material wealth of population and social vulnerable social groups. The situation in discussed areas is not very promising. The population is ageing rapidly; the trends of demographic growth are not favourable because the number of people is growing due to immigration and not due to natural growth; social inequality is growing, social systems prevent social collapse; budget expenditures in the future will show the most severe cuts into social activities while regional differences will not decrease but rather the opposite. The number of people risking poverty has been increasing, so are the numbers of recipients of social support.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: social structure
  topic: keywords
subject: statistical regions
  topic: keywords
subject: Slovenia
  topic: keywords
creator: Vladimir Drozg
rights: Copyright (c) 2015 Vladimir Drozg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2015-12-31
publication date: 2015-12-31
starting page: 65
ending page: 78
doi: 10.18690/rg.10.2.3945

Soil in Prekmurje in the light of climate change
type: item
description: Given the importance of self-sufficiency on the one hand, and caring for natural resources such as soil and water on the other, it is increasingly important to know how soils are adapted to climate change from an ecosystem perspective. This means according to their properties, which significantly affect the ability to retain water, the presence of organic matter, denudation and erosion, and the ability to self-regenerate. Such properties are thickness, texture, organic matter, consistency and skeleton. As there are no quantitative data for all soils, we prepared an evaluation method based on their theoretical descriptions (from previous research) and classified them into unadapted, partially adapted and well adapted to climate change. In Prekmurje,unadapted and partially adapted soils to climate change predominate, which is a warning for land use planning in the future.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: kmetijstvo
  topic: keywords
subject: Prekmurje
  topic: keywords
subject: prst
  topic: keywords
subject: podnebne spremembe
  topic: keywords
subject: raba tal
  topic: keywords
subject: trajnostnost
  topic: keywords
creator: Ana Vovk Korže
rights: Copyright (c) 2020 Ana Vovk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2020-06-30
publication date: 2020-06-30
starting page: 75
ending page: 90
doi: 10.18690/rg.15.1.3626

Sustainable Development of the Moravian Countryside
type: item
description: This paper deals with problems of the contemporary Moravian countryside. It discusses the definition and perceptions of the countryside, its functions, current development trend, general characteristics and differentiation. Multifunctional development of the countryside is stressed. Problems of peripheral countryside are considered to be the most serious, and small towns in these areas play an extremely important role. The sustainability of some communes with less than 200 inhabitants seems to be endangered most. The future importance of the countryside is seen in it being an alternative to the urban way of life, in the maintenance and cultivation of the landscape and in preserving local and regional traditions in the era of globalization. The human factor is of great importance. Main research sights are indicated.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: countryside
  topic: keywords
subject: rural development
  topic: keywords
subject: Moravia
  topic: keywords
subject: Czech Republic
  topic: keywords
creator: Antonín Vaishar
creator: Jana Zapletalová
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Antonín Vaishar, Jana Zapletalová https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 43
ending page: 54
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4003

Restraints and Opportunities of the Romanian Rural Areas
type: item
description: Although Romania disposes of an extremely valuable agricultural land, it has proved to be insufficient and irrationally exploited in the last two decades, as a direct consequence of the programme for returning the agricultural areas to the former individual landowners. The lack of technological agricultural means for cultivating the land, its excessive allotment, as well as the rather inappropriate involvement of the political factor in the decision making process and the invasion of imported agricultural products have generated a continuous process of degradation of the rural life as a whole and certain repercussions on the food safety. Currently, more than 50% of the Romanian agricultural area is not being cultivated, while the state imports more than 70% of alimentary products every year.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: urban-rural space
  topic: keywords
subject: rural state
  topic: keywords
subject: rural policy infrastructure
  topic: keywords
subject: agricultural land
  topic: keywords
subject: Romania
  topic: keywords
creator: Vasile Surd
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Vasile Surd https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 55
ending page: 66
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4004

Neoendogenous In- and Output of Selected Rural Areas: the Case of Economic Cycles in Slovenia
type: item
description: The article focuses on neoendogenous rural development that enables development of endogenous potentials of rural areas (human, social, economic, environmental etc. as development resources of the local territorial level) and external resources (i.e. RD programmes on national and EU level). Four Slovenian case study areas were chosen to test the existence, functioning and outcomes of economic cycles. The survey was undertaken on the smallest spatial-social unit (household), additionally existing voluntary local network (associations) and locally and widely connected economic structures (entrepreneurship) were observed. The research partly confirmed that the activation of endogenous potentials of rural areas is evident through the empowerment of (regional) economic cycles.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: rural areas
  topic: keywords
subject: neoendogenous rural development
  topic: keywords
subject: development potentials
  topic: keywords
subject: economic cycles
  topic: keywords
subject: Slovenia
  topic: keywords
creator: Irma Potočnik Slavič
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Irma Potočnik Slavič https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 75
ending page: 90
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4006

Influence of Tertiary Activities on Transformation of the Rural Settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina
type: item
description: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, tertiary activities strongly affect the modern spatial and functional structure of rural settlements. In economic and social life they are complementary, which is a good prerequisite for general development of the country. They are followed by specialised shops (bank services, legal services, higher educational institutions, large market, diverse manpower, extensive public services, car show rooms, gas stations, furniture shops, commercial centres, hotels, motels, computer equipment, and alike).
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: tertiary activities
  topic: keywords
subject: new rural development of the settlements
  topic: keywords
subject: restructuring of economic activities
  topic: keywords
creator: Rahman Nurković
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Rahman Nurković https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 67
ending page: 74
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4005

Grain Amaranth as an Alternative and Perspective Crop in Temperate Climate
type: item
description: As a consequence of globalisation and industrialisation of agriculture, global food security has become increasingly dependent on only a handful of fertilisation and energy high demanding plant species. This involution has increased the vulnerability of agriculture, reduced genetic diversity, provoked some environmental problems and impoverished the human diet. The mentioned facts stimulate the retrieving of alternative crops into the production. The present paper briefly describes crop importance, botany, nutritional value and utilisation of grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), one of the alternative crops discussed in the book Organic Production and Use of Alternative Crops. The immediate objective of this paper is to present information gained as a result of a national project on grain amaranth.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: grain amaranth
  topic: keywords
subject: nutrition value
  topic: keywords
subject: utilisation
  topic: keywords
creator: Silva Grobelnik Mlakar
creator: Matjaž Turinek
creator: Manfred Jakop
creator: Martina Bavec
creator: Franc Bavec
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Silva Grobelnik Mlakar, Matjaž Turinek, Manfred Jakop, Martina Bavec, Franc Bavec https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 135
ending page: 145
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4011

Are consumers in Slovenia concerned about the mountain quality food
type: item
description: Recently, several studies on Mountain quality food products (further referred to as MQFP) emerged EU wide, especially after the EU charter of MQFP was established. In Slovenia, the first studies on MQFP where implemented in the frame of the EU FP6 EuroMarc project, started in 2007. After the project scope, the importance of MQFP is much more extensive then only according to purchase and consumer perceptions, thus the developing of mountain food products is also the developing of mountain areas and therefore part of broader rural development issues. In the paper, the first consumer analyses are presented, with the aim to find out whether consumers are sensitive to such products at all and to find out whether there exist some positive synergies between consumers and area of origin. The consumer analyses were carried out on the basis of questionnaires, and the data is presented with the descriptive statistic. The results show that consumers have in general a very positive perception of MQFP, although they do not know what exactly the characteristics of MQFP should be. As regards the synergies between the area of origin and the purchasing of MQFP, the results differ according to the area the respondents come from (e.g. mountain, non-mountain areas).
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: mountain quality food product
  topic: keywords
subject: Slovenia
  topic: keywords
subject: consumers
  topic: keywords
creator: Darja Majkovič
creator: Andreja Borec
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Darja Majkovič, Andreja Borec https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 115
ending page: 124
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4009

Conservation of Rice Terraces in Japan - Roles of the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association
type: item
description: Since the 1960s, many farming fields have been left abandoned in Japan. However, rice terrace conservation activities have been spreading extensively in recent years as many people have reconfirmed the multi-functionality of rice terraces in Japan. This paper introduces rice terraces in the Sakaori District of Gifu Prefecture in Japan, and describes the current state of conservation activities as well as challenges ahead that people will face in preserving rice terraces in Japan. It is shown that the efforts and contributions of the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association members are the primary driving force for conservation and development of the rice terraces in the Sakaori District. However, it is also noteworthy that the farming workforce supporting the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association is continually diminishing and that the aging of this workforce is causing serious problems as well.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: rice terrace (tanada)
  topic: keywords
subject: farming villages
  topic: keywords
subject: the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association
  topic: keywords
subject: rice terrace ownership system
  topic: keywords
creator: Koji Kobayashi
creator: Chisato Harada
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Koji Kobayashi, Chisato Harada https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 91
ending page: 100
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4007

Health Resorts and Their Importance for the Development of Less Developed Areas in Slovenia
type: item
description: In the paper is presenting the importance of health resorts for the development of less development areas in Slovenia. Health resorts are one of the oldest kinds of tourist resorts and started to develop in Slovenia already in 18th and in the beginning of 19t h centuries. The main reasons for the first tourists’ visits were connected with bathing in thermal waters, drinking of healing water, socializing of the higher social classes and entertainment. Later, the health resorts became centres of highly qualified medical rehabilitation based on the basis of using of natural remedies and modern medical treatments. The so called classical health resorts prevailed in Slovenia until the mid-1980s. The beginning of the 1990s marked an important turnabout in the development of health resorts in Slovenia. With the construction of modern swimming pools, some health resorts have started to use thermal water for fun and “experience”. The so called “thermal rivieras” or “thermal parks” have emerged with covered or open pools, which are open throughout the year. The reorientation to mass tourism based on recreation, healthy lifestyle, wellness etc., as well as spending of holidays in apartment accommodation have significantly increased the tourist visits in the so called recreation health resorts. These are usually located in less developed areas of the country, which means their importance is even greater for the employment of the inhabitants and the spatial and functional development of rural areas. In the case study author is orientated especially on the development of the health resorts in the Posotelje region (in NE Slovenia).
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: tourism
  topic: keywords
subject: health resort
  topic: keywords
subject: spa
  topic: keywords
subject: less developed areas
  topic: keywords
subject: Slovenia
  topic: keywords
creator: Uroš Horvat
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Uroš Horvat https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 147
ending page: 159
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4012

New Challenges for the Organic Farmers in India – Tourism, Spices and Herbs
type: item
description: Organic Farming can offer the Indian farmers the possibility to get an added value to their products. Those operating in the Ponda region/Goa benefit from an historical background and highly preserved biodiversity that may entitle them in the future for a GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) project which will prevent these scenic landscapes to be destroyed. The spice plantations are a live Natural Sciences and History lesson for everybody and an attraction for the tourists who find here a pleasant environment, rich flora and fauna, rural tourism, ayurvedic medical care and an array of leisure activities in contact with Nature.
subject: Scientific Articles
  topic: section
subject: organic farming
  topic: keywords
subject: spice plantations
  topic: keywords
subject: sustainable development
  topic: keywords
subject: rural tourism
  topic: keywords
subject: India
  topic: keywords
creator: Ana Firmino
rights: Copyright (c) 2010 Ana Firmino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2010-06-15
publication date: 2010-06-15
starting page: 101
ending page: 113
doi: 10.18690/rg.5.1.4008