Journal of the Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA

MORPHOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR THE TYPOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION

Khalil Bachir Aouissi — 2023-04-20

Researchers from multiple disciplines have proposed classification systems for waterfront transformations: generational (according to the date of their construction) and functional (based on the function assigned to the land post-harbor use). However, an analysis based on the spatial features of the former port areas and their meaning for the waterfront transformation has been missing. This contribution is an attempt to fill this gap by proposing a classification based on morphological approach. It uses selected case studies based on cluster sampling method, following a fractal reading approach of the waterfronts, to capture a representative sample and to generalize the study following a deductive logic. Using satellite images and maps, this article first identifies the areas where the waterfront was revitalized and then it analyzes the type and function of these spaces according to the classical classifications existing in the literature on the subject. A morphological approach used as methodology framework was based on the analysis of satellite images and the cartography of the waterfront areas with simplification algorithm on ArcGIS. The resulting morphological classification of waterfront transformations reveals the relationship between the built form of the former port areas, classified here as convex, concave, or linear spaces, and the kind of revitalization type respectively classified as ribbon-shaped, convergence, or dilatation. The conclusions about the relationships between the built form available for waterfront transformations and the most appropriate type of revitalization can provide concrete indications for a sustainable future transformation of port cities, especially cities whose reconversion is lagging behind.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF AL-HILLAH RIVER POLLUTION AT BABIL GOVERNORATE (IRAQ)

Bashar F. Maaroof — 2023-04-20

In this study, the environmental characteristics of Al-Hillah River were studied using geoinformatics applications, which is one of the geospatial techniques (GST). Applying this methodology, a geographic information system was developed, and it was supplied with laboratory data for the physical and chemical properties of 16 parameters for 2021. These data were linked to their spatial locations, using radar imagery of the Digital Elevation Model (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission), and Landsat ETM+7 satellite image. The results indicated that Al-Hillah River was affected by the liquid discharges of factories, cities, and farms spread on its sides, especially in the cities of Sadat Al-Hindiya, Al-Hillah, and Al-Hashimiyah. The seasonal changes in the climate affected some characteristics, including water temperature, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, and total hardness. The study showed that the concentration of sulfate (SO₄) has risen above the permissible limits for the waters of Iraqi rivers. There are relatively high hardness and alkalinity values, but they were within the permissible limits. The study also showed that most of the results of environmental parameters that were used in the laboratory, were within the permissible limits of Iraqi water, except for sulfates. The justification for conducting this study is to help government agencies and decision-makers to adopt a correct vision for development projects that serve Babil Governorate. Also, it is the first time that the environmental characteristics of Al-Hillah River are studied using geoinformatics applications.

URBAN GROWTH ANALYSIS USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS TECHNIQUES TO SUPPORT DECISION-MAKING IN ALGERIA—THE CASE OF THE CITY OF SETIF

Nabil Slimani — 2023-04-20

Rapid urbanization in Algeria is causing significant problems, such as the emergence of unplanned neighborhoods, and local authorities need to apply modern tools like geomatics to monitor and update spatial planning databases to support sustainable development. More to the point, these tools—geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) are of assistance to update the spatial planning and development database so as to support the decision-making. In fact, for understanding the purpose of the process of urban growth in the region of the interior high plateaus, we chose the city of Setif as it represents an urban and economic pole in the region. Besides, economic activities exacerbate the phenomenon of rapid and unplanned urban growth alongside the environmental impact thereof. In the light of the obtained results, there exists a significant increase in urban lands and a significant decline in forests and agricultural lands, as the urban area has tripled from 10.4% in 1985 to 20.3 in 2003 and to 29.7% in 2021. At the same time, the agricultural area has then shrunk from 76.4% in 1985 to 65.8 in 2003 and to 55.5% in 2021, while the forest areas have decreased from 5.04% in 1985 to 4.4 in 2003 and to 2.3% in 2021.

CATCHING-UP REGIONAL STRATEGY AS A TOOL TO REDUCE SPATIAL INEQUALITY

Natalia Chistyakova — 2023-04-20

The article is devoted to the problem of spatial inequality of regions caused by centripetal or centrifugal forces because of agglomeration effects and interaction costs. It corresponds with the main idea of new economic geography. A differentiated approach to regional development strategizing is proposed in the study as a tool for reducing the level of spatial imbalance. Herein the use of technological arbitrage (catching-up) strategy is proposed for peripheral regions by strengthening interregional interaction. In the paper, two hypotheses are investigated: (1) The economic growth of territories, caused by industry diversification, positive externalities from Research and Development, the quality of human capital, which are typical of the “center” type of regions and (2) The formation of a unified macroeconomic space is possible due to strategies of technological arbitrage (catching-up strategy) for peripheral regions. Its implementation is possible through innovation, industrial-technological, and trade-technological complementarity development of peripheral regions with the central regions. The research methods are: panel regression with fixed effects, Data Envelopment Analysis method, and Malmquist Productivity Index, paired interregional complementarity indices. The study focuses on 10 regions of Siberian Federal District in the Russia, which differ in scale, structure, and level of innovative economic development. The study results confirm the possibility of reducing the level of spatial inequality using catching-up strategies and innovation complementarity of the regions. These strategies proved only for technical efficiency leading regions with high index of complementarity. In regions with a low complementarity index and different industry profile, large-scale interregional cooperation has not been confirmed.

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE PLOVDIV 2019: EFFECTS THROUGH THE LENS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Elka Dogramadjieva — 2023-04-20

The paper deals with the impacts of hosting the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) by the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv in 2019 through the lens of the local community. Based on a survey conducted in 2021 with 444 residents, the perceived effects of the initiative were discussed in four domains: (1) Cultural, (2) Economic, (3) Social, and (4) Urban environment and atmosphere. Descriptive statistics techniques and analysis of variance were applied to interpret the data and outline the differences in the perceptions affected by respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics. The findings indicate that in general, the ECOC impacts are perceived rather positively, although the locals are hesitant if benefits outweigh the costs incurred. None of the impacts is perceived as high by the survey participants, with mean values of agreement hardly reaching four on a 5-grade scale. The most recognized positive effects refer to the city’s cultural life and the opportunities for local artists to perform; next come benefits for tourism development and promotion along with improvements in urban environment and infrastructure resulting from the ECOC implementation. Less clearly perceived are negative effects such as the price rise and the preference given to tourists over the locals. Significant differences in perceptions are determined by respondents’ education, personal involvement in the ECOC organization, age, gender, and sphere of professional activity. However, such differences are found in roughly half of all 22 statements under study, meaning that certain perceptions depend on the socio-demographic profile while others do not.

USE OF WEB-BASED GIS APPLICATIONS IN GEOGRAPHY TEACHING—THE IMPLICATIONS FROM TÜRKİYE

Fatih Ocak — 2023-04-20

Geography, as a discipline which examines the earth, aims to increase analytical thinking skills by instilling spatial thinking (ST) skills in students. The youth who enrich a sense of space with these talents will effectively solve the spatial problems they encountered. In the modern world, where spatial issues are frequently being faced with, ST is extremely important for analyzing and interpreting data. Geographical information systems (GIS) appear as a method commonly used to process data and transform it into spatial information. In this context, despite the renewal of the secondary education (SE) geography curriculum in Türkiye, with the components required for the use of GIS at the SE level, prevented the use of GIS in SE from reaching the desired level. Developments in technologies have also caused significant changes in the field of GIS with the power of cloud technologies and, the work done in the personal computer environment has been moved to the internet environment. Web GIS applications, which can be used via a web browser, are much easier to use than desktop software and can reach many users from any device with the internet. Within the scope of the study, a sample application was designed to use web GIS tools in geography teaching. With the application, it is possible to assess the students’ achievements in the geography lessons regarding verbal and spatial data. Thus, it was aimed to ensure the active participation of the students in the geography lessons, develop their ST ability, and perception of space.

DETERMINATION OF WINTER TOURISM POTENTIAL AREAS IN TÜRKİYE USING A GIS-BASED MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS

Mevlut Uyan — 2023-04-20

Tourism, one of the expeditiously growing and most important sectors, contributes to the national economy by increasing employment and foreign exchange income. As in many countries, the place of tourism in the country's economy is very important in Türkiye (formerly known as Turkey). As one of the sources that have contributed significantly to the country's economy for many years, it has played a locomotive role in its development. Türkiye is trying to increase its share of international tourism revenues with investments and incentives. Although it is a country that draws attention with its areas suitable for winter tourism, the development of winter tourism centers is very slow when some aspects are taken into account. Konya Province is one of the few religious and cultural tourism centers of Türkiye. The region has qualified winter tourism areas. Bringing these areas to tourism can be an important resource for both the provincial and national economy. This study proposes a Geographical Information System based Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE) model using Best Worst Method (BWM) to identify the most suitable locations for winter tourism facilities in the Konya region of Türkiye. Among some suitable areas determined according to the results of the analysis, Aladağ Mountain in Derbent region has been seen as the most suitable place for winter tourism investments, as it has all the features such as snow quality, transportation, and snowy day duration that should exist in a winter tourism center.

STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPERIENCES WITH PARTICIPATIVE APPROACH IN TOURISM

Ana Težak Damijanić — 2023-04-20

Tourism stakeholders’ participation is mostly needed for planning purposes because they have better insights regarding various issues present on a local level. A participative approach enables tourism stakeholders to influence and control, to a certain degree, the development of tourism in their community. However, there is a lack of research on stakeholders’ understanding of a participative approach that has been identified. This study uses a qualitative research approach where a focus group (FG) with key stakeholders was employed to examine the mechanism behind the participative approach. Namely, this paper presents the findings about the local stakeholders’ experiences with a participative approach and their opinions regarding how to foster this type of initiatives in tourism settings. Data presented in this paper were collected during a discussion with an FG and processed using thematic analysis. The thoughts and opinions of stakeholders were analyzed by taking into consideration barriers and enablers related to the implementation of a participative approach. The main focus was placed on bottom-up initiatives, but other types were included as well. Identified barriers and enablers were categorized into four themes: approach necessity, appropriate stakeholders selection, correct application of the approach, and stakeholders’ motivation.