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
Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru
Copyright (c) 2025 Peter Kumer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the different ways of small-town development in Central and Eastern Europe
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Éva Máté, Dr. András Trócsányi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Central-European small town: interpretations, challenges and resilience in Hungary
Small towns are long-term stable elements of the urban network with establishedresidential 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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gábor Pirisi, Nomin Enkhtamir, Péter Merza, András Trócsányi, Éva Máté, Balázs Berkecz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Characteristics of Rural Architectural Housing Typologies in Doukkala area, Morocco
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Youssef El aoud https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Shrinking Small Towns in Serbia: Development Challenges and Planning Policy Opportunities
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Milica Ljubenović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Provision of central services in rural areas: Views of the elderly population in Hrvatsko Zagorje, Croatia
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Petra Radeljak Kaufmann, Korana Komar, Aleksandar Lukić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring Regional Disparities and Stakeholder Engagement in Slovenian EIP-AGRI Projects
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sara Mikolič, Irma Potočnik Slavič https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Solid Waste Management and its Problem in Asmara City of Eritrea
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Masihulla Khan, Md Minhajul Hoda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Magnitude and Direction in Europe from the Pliocene to the Anthropocene
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.
Copyright (c) 2024 Danijel Ivajnšič, Daša Donša https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of development factors and by-products of small towns – case study of the town of Chojnice (Poland)
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fabian Miszewski https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Smaller Towns in Algeria: An Urban and Economic Perspective
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Feyrouz Ahlam Saidi, Ikram Saidi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Philosophy to Practice: Città Slow and Green Space Planning in Small Urban Communities
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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Agnieszka Jaszczak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 3)
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 4)
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.
New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 2)
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.
Copyright (c) 2009 Lučka Lorber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
New Challenges for Sustainable Rural Development in the 21st Century (part 1)
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.
Social circumstances in Slovenia according to selected elements
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.
Copyright (c) 2015 Vladimir Drozg https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Soil in Prekmurje in the light of climate change
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.
Copyright (c) 2020 Ana Vovk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Sustainable Development of the Moravian Countryside
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Antonín Vaishar, Jana Zapletalová https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Restraints and Opportunities of the Romanian Rural Areas
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Vasile Surd https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Neoendogenous In- and Output of Selected Rural Areas: the Case of Economic Cycles in Slovenia
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Irma Potočnik Slavič https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Influence of Tertiary Activities on Transformation of the Rural Settlements in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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).
new rural development of the settlements
Copyright (c) 2010 Rahman Nurković https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Grain Amaranth as an Alternative and Perspective Crop in Temperate Climate
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Silva Grobelnik Mlakar, Matjaž Turinek, Manfred Jakop, Martina Bavec, Franc Bavec https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Are consumers in Slovenia concerned about the mountain quality food
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).
Copyright (c) 2010 Darja Majkovič, Andreja Borec https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Conservation of Rice Terraces in Japan - Roles of the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association
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.
the Sakaori Rice Terrace Conservation Association
Copyright (c) 2010 Koji Kobayashi, Chisato Harada https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Health Resorts and Their Importance for the Development of Less Developed Areas in Slovenia
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).
Copyright (c) 2010 Uroš Horvat https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
New Challenges for the Organic Farmers in India – Tourism, Spices and Herbs
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.
Copyright (c) 2010 Ana Firmino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Organic Farming: A Solution to Agriculture Crisis or a “New” Trend to Healthy Eating? An Overview of French and British Farmers
In recent years, the market for organic farming has significantly increased in response to concerns over food quality and environmental matters. Organic food is quite attractive for consumers and is often associated to quality, healthy and natural products in opposition to the more processed and artificial conventional food. Yet, farmers are less enthusiastic about this concept. This paper, issued from a survey with dairy farmers in two dairy areas in France (January 2000) and the UK (July 2002), review farmers attitude towards organic farming. Only a minority of farmers were in favour of organic farming while the others had concerns about organic farming as its concept goes against their belief: a farmer must produce food for the nation
Copyright (c) 2010 Annabelle Boulay https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Agricultural Households in Mountain Areas in Pre- and Post-accession Slovenia
This paper analyses structural changes in agriculture and agricultural households in the mountainous areas of the Gorenjska region in Slovenia. The focus is on agricultural multifunctional roles, agricultural and agricultural households’ structural changes pre- and post-accession of Slovenia to the European Union (EU) on the basis of datasets obtained by two in-depth surveys from 2001 and 2007. The analyses confirm adjustments of farm households to the use of subsidies and new regulations, and diversification of agricultural households’ incomes. Short-term and long-term strategies of farm households vary depending on farms’ natural factor endowments for agriculture, farm size and structures of farm households, availability of agricultural land and their rental values, diversification of incomes with self-employment and employment outside the farm household.
Copyright (c) 2010 Štefan Bojnec, Kristina Knific https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Negative Impacts of Forest Fires on Ecological Balance and Environmental Sustainability: Case of Turkey
Forests are a vital element in the Earth’s ecological balance, economy, biodiversity, water resources and air purity. On the other hand, forests are confronted with various threats – one of them being fires. Its distinctive geographical features provide Turkey with rich plant diversity along with an imbalance in the dispersion of forested land. 27% of Turkey’s surface area is covered by forests, most of which are concentrated on the coastal lands and their hinterlands. 2.135 forest fires were recorded in Turkey in 2008, resulting in a loss of 29.749 ha of forest. Although this figure translates into a decrease of 25% in the number of fires, the amount of destroyed forestland increased by 155% with respect to the previous year. This paper questions the incendiary causes and negative effects of fires in the case of Turkey.
Copyright (c) 2010 Muzaffer Bakirci https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0