Journal for Geography

Foreword to the thematic issue on cities in global capitalism

Peter Kumer — 2023-12-31

This thematic issue investigates the complex interactions between urban environments and global capitalism. It includes a range of case studies and theoretical analyses that delve into the effects of global economic forces on urban spaces. The papers explore various topics, such as the transformation of labor markets due to digital capitalism, the impact of economic activities on urban climate resilience, and the challenges of sustainable urban development. The issue highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches to understand and address the dynamic relationship between urban geographies and global economic systems.

Platform Work: Mapping Debates and Concepts

Maja Breznik — 2023-12-09

This article provides a mappping of scientific debates on platform work, focusing on their concepts. The explosive growth of platform work has produced a number of scientific contributions worldwide. In this review, we are interested in how scholars process their 'raw material' and how they define their 'object of knowledge' when they challenge the self-image of platforms as 'technological enterprises', supposedly a net result of automation, robotization, the sharing economy and the fourth industrial revolution. The review has identified five key concepts for understanding work in ICT-driven environments: platform urbanism, digital Taylorism, regulatory arbitrage, planetary labour markets and heteromatised labour. In the conclusion, we present the echo of these debates in social responses.

De-industrialisation of Maribor: From Devaluation to Subordinated Re-integration Into Global Capitalism

Ana Podvršič — 2023-12-12

We analyze the restructuring of the Maribor industry during the 1980s and 1990s. Various scholars have already studied the (de)industrialisation dynamics of Maribor in that period. We complement the existing studies by contextualizing the industrial transformations of the Maribor landscape within broader historical trends shaped by the neo-liberalisation of the world economy and the reintegration of the (post-)socialist economies from Eastern Europe into global capitalism under the Washington Consensus. Looking at the initial phase of the transition of Slovenia from the perspective of the Maribor region, one could see that it was all but “smooth and peaceful”.

Heat Waves in Sarajevo in the Period 1901-2018

Igor Žiberna — 2023-12-14

The article analyzes heat waves in Sarajevo in the period 1901—2018. We presented the trends in the number of heat waves, their length, the highest air temperatures during heat waves and the cumulative highest temperatures during heat waves. We also discussed the trends of the universal thermal climate index for Sarajevo in the period 1961—2018, which show the burdensome thermal effect on humans in a more integral way. In Sarajevo we observe an increase in the number of heat waves, the number of days in heat waves and the cumulative maximum temperatures in heat waves. After 1961, the burdensome thermal effect in the summer months also increases, which also indicates a positive trend in the value of the universal thermal climate index.

Prospects for Blue-Green Infrastructure in Maribor

Ana Vovk — 2023-12-31

Cities are facing the consequences of climate change, including higher summer temperatures and increased frequency of intense precipitation, leading to flooding issues due to impermeable surfaces. The lack of green spaces causes extreme temperatures and a decrease in biodiversity, which is modest in urban areas. Consequently, recent years have seen the introduction of approaches based on mimicking natural processes, referred to as blue-green infrastructure. These are designed areas that enable water retention and purification, contribute to increased biodiversity, and positively impact quality of life. This article presents the possibilities for implementing blue-green infrastructure in Maribor, based previously executed projects.

Changes of Built-Up and Related Areas in Slovenia

Igor Žiberna — 2023-12-31

This research analyses changes of built-up and related areas in Slovenia in the period 2000-2023. Results are prepared on the level of statistical regions and municipalities. Special emphasis is orientated towards original categories of land use, on which built-up and related areas are located today. Finally, we discuss the expansion of built-up and related areas into arable areas, especially those that are extremely important for agriculture and food production.

Tourism Gentrification in a Small Mediterranean Town: Impacts and Implications for Urban Climate Resilience

Peter Kumer — 2023-12-31

This study explores the relationship between tourism gentrification and urban climate resilience in Piran. It focuses on socio-economic changes due to tourism and their implications for the town's ability to respond to climate-related challenges. Using mixed methods, it evaluates the effects on architectural authenticity, public spaces, and community dynamics. The findings reveal conflicts between heritage preservation and tourism, highlighting integration challenges for newcomers in enhancing climate resilience. The paper advocates for strategies balancing sustainable tourism with cultural heritage preservation, offering solutions for similar towns in the Mediterranean.