The Battle of Mohács in 1526 is an outstanding important event in the history of Hungary and Central Europe. Suleiman the Magnificent defeated the Hungarian and allied armies near the small Hungarian town, Mohács. The result was the decline of the middle power of medieval Europe, the Kingdom of Hungary. Later (even today) it seemed that this was the end of the golden age for Hungary. The memory of the battle has played an important role in political debates for centuries. The research described in this presentation will show how far historical reality and memory have drifted apart. A landscape of memory has emerged here, where the descendants of the former participants - Hungarians, Turks, Poles etc - have created their own memorials. Aligning scientific fact and memory is a major challenge in managing the heritage of Mohács. The 500th anniversary is approaching: the need to create a new, modern image of Mohács and to reflect on the biases of the politics of memory is becoming increasingly urgent.

The Battle of Varna was fought on 10 November 1444. In the battle, the Ottoman forces, led by Murad II. defeated the Christian forces of central and south-eastern Europe, which included Hungarians, Poles, Czechs, Germans, Croats and Romanians, along with Bulgarian troops. The European troops were led by Władysław III Warneńczyk, King of Hungary and Poland, and John Hunyadi. The battle was disastrous. Although both sides suffered heavy losses, European losses were greater and the king fell. The main consequence was that the Balkans were opened up to further Ottoman conquest and the capture of Constantinople (1453). From Bulgaria to Poland, the memory of the battle has been preserved and has become a point of reflection for unity in Central Europe. The study examines the battlefield's geo-cultural content, how posterity has used the battlefield and the memory of the battle for political purposes.

Hungarians and Croats fought several battles against the expanding Ottoman Empire. As the Battle of Mohács in 1526 has a central role in the Hungarian memory, the Battle of Krbava Field on 9 September 1493 plays a similar role in Croatian national memory. The memory of the battle was imprinted on the mind of contemporaries, appeared in the 16th and 17th century Christian sources, as well as in the 19th and 20th century Hungarian and Croatian historiography. However, while the memory of the Battle of Mohács is uninterrupted in the Hungarian public consciousness, the memory of the Battle of Krbava Field was partially relegated to the background in Yugoslavia’s interwar period and completely forgotten during the Yugoslav socialist regime, only to be revived after Croatia regained its independence. Our presentation will survey Christian and Ottoman sources from the 15th and 17th centuries that describe the battle. We will present the memory of the battle in Croatian folk literature, its place in Croatian historical science and in the 19th–21st century memory culture, including how the contemporary Croatian state and Church have implemented their concept of memory on and around the battlefield. Finally, we will reflect on whether the Battle of Krbava Field can be called the Croatian Mohács or Croatian Kosovo, as it is so often done.

In this study, I have attempted to shed light on the toponymy of the Hungarian and Croatian parts of the Baranya region from the point of view of memory politics and geography, using the example of the Ottoman–Habsburg wars (1683–1689). One of the most important battles took place here, near the Harsány Hill (1687) where the united Habsburg forces led by Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690) won a brilliant victory over the Ottoman troops led by Sarı Süleyman Pasha (1627–1687).

A larger group of toponyms and hydronyms commemorating the wars of reconquest are often associated with the cult of Virgin Mary (Mariahilf). This cult formed the ideological basis of the Habsburg party fighting against the Ottomans’ Islamic faith. Apart from this, several names of places reflect the memories of the wars. Many of them refer to natural objects such as hills, valleys, rivers and swamps, while others allude to certain types of buildings and street names. Due to turbulent political changes of the last three hundred years many of these toponyms do not exist anymore.

The collected data from different memorial sites were classified and then mapped using QGIS software.

The memory of the Ottoman–Habsburg wars of the late 17th century was affected by numerous political influences. The critical geopolitical analysis can help us understand the dynamics of the local cultural and political life.

Czechoslovakia no longer exists, but it is interesting to ask whether any elements of Czechoslovak identity persist among the population of the successor states. This presentation focuses on today's Czechia. National identity means here, as in most countries of Central and Eastern Europe, declaring ethnicity, which does not have to be the sane as citizenship. This was the case in the multi-ethnic Habsburg Monarchy before 1918 and in Czechoslovakia until 1992, and it is also the case in the present-day Czechia, even though it has been optional in census since 2001, and more and more people avoid it. In the years 1920-1939, Czechoslovak nationality (not citizenship) was understood as the sum of Czech and Slovak nationality. After the Second World War, the two nationalities were already distinguished. The state was transformed into a federation in 1968, which eventually split into two states in 1992: Czechia and Slovakia. Nevertheless, a very small number of inhabitants continue to state Czechoslovak nationality (in the sense of ethnicity). In the last censuses, there were 6-7 000 people (i.e. less than 1‰). The paper describes their spatial differentiation and tries to explain their motivation.

This paper examines NATO’s influence on shaping regional identities and narratives in the Western Balkans during the first half of the 21st century. The study focuses on the interplay between NATO's interventions, nation-building processes, and the reinterpretation of war memories in six states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. In this paper, Croatia is treated as an example country that abandoned the concept of the Western Balkans and achieved all its Euro-Atlantic integration goals.

The central research question explores how NATO’s presence and policies have influenced the construction and adaptation of national identities in a region marked by conflict and post-conflict transitions. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on political geography, historical memory studies, and international relations theories. Methodologically, it combines content analysis of NATO and local government documents, media narratives, and war memorials with qualitative interviews and surveys.

Findings reveal that NATO’s actions have contributed to redefining war memory and identity politics, often aligning them with Euro-Atlantic values. However, these processes vary significantly between NATO member and non-member states in the region, reflecting differing levels of integration and public perception. Case studies illustrate how war memorials and commemorative practices are reinterpreted under changing political regimes, with NATO playing a role in fostering collective memory narratives that emphasize reconciliation and shared security.

This research contributes to understanding the role of military alliances in the adaptation of historical memory to support modern nation-building and geopolitical alignment. It offers insights into the challenges of navigating divergent historical narratives while promoting regional stability and integration.

Monuments of wars and revolutions that defined the 20th century are in a constant state of flux as parts of national identity. They are erected, dismantled, relocated, transformed, depending on the canonical narrative they are ment to promote, thus musealising or even relativising the messages they are supposed to convey. In a capital city, such public works are typically only partly topographically linked to the battlefield, they are much more national symbols of a country. The aim of this study is to examine the history, message and spatial impact of war and revolution monuments of the last century, using Budapest as an example. The main research question is: What kind of social space-shaping effects do the monuments under study reflect in a historical approach? The methodology is based on Lefebvre's (1974/1991) and Soja's (1996) theory of spatial trialectics as a conceptual framework to define spatial layers - the firstspace, the secondspace and the thirdspace - in relation to the past and present monuments and their sites. The sample area consists of the inner districts of Budapest and mainly the core tourist areas. The results can contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between memory politics and urban space in the Hungarian capital.

Ferenc II. Rákóczi (1676-1735) played a major role in the formation of Hungarian identity. As a descendant of noble families, his life was known to the representatives of the Hungarian nation. The War of Independence (1703-1711) led by Rákóczi contributed to the shaping of Hungarian history. Rákóczi and his companions fled abroad after the fighting, first to Poland, then to France and finally to Turkey, where he died in exile. After long political debates, the ashes of Rákóczi and his companions were finally brought to Hungarian territory (Kassa or Kosice) in 1906, in a ceremonial ceremony. However, this area was transferred to the successor states in 1918, as were other places of Rákóczi's memory. Apart from a brief period, they were never returned to the Hungarian state.

Even in the absence of his own memorial sites, Rákóczi's memory has traversed the history of Hungary throughout the 20th century. His character was one of the historical figures who survived the regime changes of the 20th century and survived into the 21st century. This memory has a tangible spatial pattern, as the Hungarian state has tried to address the lack of memorial sites (lieux de mémoire) traditionally associated with Rákóczí.

In my presentation, I would like to show the evolution of the spatiality of Rákóczi memory in the 20th-21st centuries, with a particular focus on the example of Rákóczi memory after the regime changes (1920, 1945, 1990). In the course of this study, I want to examine two major segments. The first is the spread of monuments - especially statues and monuments. The second is the spatiality of social organisations in different political periods.

One of my hypothesis is that during times of major political change, governments sought to turn the sites of Rákóczi memorials to their advantage by placing their organisations there. The direction of this has varied over the historical periods: in the first half of the 20th century, it was directed inland, in the second half of the century it was directed within and beyond the country's borders, and in the 20th and 21st centuries it was mostly directed beyond the borders. To this end, I intend to use heat map analysis to illustrate the location of the commemorative sites, in addition to traditional spatial data visualisation.

In Switzerland, as in many countries, the promotion and enhancement of outdoor learning have been noticed for several years (Wolf et al., 2022; Blondin & Letouzey-Pasquier, 2023). NGOs such as Silviva (2019), Pro Natura, and the Outdoor Learning Competence Center (Lausanne) promote outdoor education across various issues. At the Fribourg’s University of Teacher Education (Swiss), pre-service and in-service teachers are trained in relation to outdoor learning, primarily focusing on natural sciences and/or forest school approach.

Although numerous studies exist on experiential learning (Jose et al., 2017), place-based education (Dolan, 2016; Smith, 2002), experiential geography (Léninger-Frézal et al., 2020), fieldwork (Briand, 2014, Halocha, 2005), we have identified a need for support among in-service primary school teachers (KS 1) - with young students (ages 5–6) - on exploring and representing local spaces. Thus, how does outdoor learning enhance pupils' understanding of their local space? How do the teachers’ didactic strategies improve pupils’ fieldwork experiences?

Since 2021, our research has focused on the contribution of fieldwork to geography teaching essentially in KS 1. We implemented a collaborative research framework (Bednarz et al., 2017) and created a Community of Practice (Wenger, 2005; Marlot & Roy, 2020; Letouzey-Pasquier & Blondin, submitted), involving 10 teachers from KS1 classes across four schools from the Canton of Fribourg. This research-training initiative aims to study and enhance the in-service teachers‘ skills, emphasizing fieldwork learning. Initially, we collected data on outdoor teachers‘ practices, followed by the elaboration of an in-service training program related to geographic fieldwork. Teachers created teaching material which included at least one fieldwork trip under the guidance of researchers.

In this presentation, we analyze teaching material and recorded teaching sessions focused on the school area with a specific focus on the introduction of mapping concepts and skills.

In contemporary urban studies, the relationship between education, participation, and public spaces has gained increasing relevance. On the one hand, from the seminal work of Dewey (1916; 1938) and Ward (1978), which highlights the city as a pedagogical device fostering democratic education through engagement with urban environments, outdoor education has long been recognized as an effective strategy for inquiry-based learning in real-world contexts, fostering critical thinking and responsible citizenship (Rickinson et al., 2004; Lambert & Balderstone, 2010; Oost, De Vries & Van der Schee, 2011). On the other hand, recent work on participatory urban planning further emphasizes the need to integrate educational practices with participatory methods, bridging theory with practice and providing young people with opportunities for active involvement in reshaping their environments (Tonucci, 2005; Howard, 2010; Malatesta, 2015; Deinet, 2017; Dickens, 2017) through engaging meaningful, non-adult-led social learning tools and contexts (Percy-Smith, 2010).
At the same time, while the relationship between participation and research has been widely explored (Kindon, Pain, Kesby, 2007), few studies connect participation, research, and education within a single theoretical framework. Some authors (McNall et al., 2015) have begun to address this gap, suggesting that the integration of these dimensions can create opportunities for collaborative learning and knowledge production that meets real community needs.
Our contribution presents the GIOCANDO (Game-based Involvement Of young Citizens AND public Organizations) project, which aims at bridging the gap between outdoor education and participatory urban planning with young people through a collaborative, co-research approach in three marginalized neighbourhoods of Palermo (Italy). In partnership with three NGOs and several local schools, the project empowers young people to actively participate in the (re)imagination and regeneration of public spaces, acting as co-researchers. Combining fieldwork research activities with the design and development of a board game and a digital app simulating urban planning processes, the project offers a dynamic platform for decision-making, fostering spatial awareness and a deeper understanding of local urban challenges. Drawing on “the right to research” (Appadurai, 2006), we explore the tensions between participation and pedagogy, focusing on the role of young people as ‘primary researchers’ in knowledge production (Kim, 2016).

The focus of this research work lies on the critical assessment of an education-project called “Nature Lab”, established almost more the ten years ago in Altenberg/Rax (Austria). The integration of local and regional people with valuable knowledge about “their” region was one of the basic ideas of the Nature Lab, that can be understood as new lecture halls for - in the present case - Geographers. Also, the direct implementation of the Nature Park Mürzer Oberland was part of this education-concept for the university level. In a second step innovative and practice-oriented methods of applied teaching are illuminated on the example of the lab’s co-learning approach and the geomorphological educational trail, as an instrument of environmental education. An evaluation of the nature lab’s impacts on the communal development is given in a third section and factors of success for installing a nature lab are detected by evaluating lessons learned from 2013 until today. Altogether, the paper on hand can help to understand the focal points for running a nature lab. It also shows how new teaching methods in Geography can be applied in an innovative and practice-oriented way.

Since 2019 educational system in Croatia has undergone significant changes of all relevant curriculum documents. This triggered changes in practices of teaching and learning on all educational levels. The aim of this paper is to determine to what extent outdoor education has become an integral part of teaching and learning within Geography classes, but also when Geography is correlated with other school subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, etc.

Pedagogical interest is primarily directed towards the teaching process and the mutual relationships of its participants and little attention has been given so far to the analyses of outdoor activities on the education and upbringing of pupils in general. Education in an open environment is not sufficiently represented as a result of the organizational difficulties that teachers encounter during its organization. The value of fieldwork increases when conducted in an interdisciplinary manner, as it encourages cross-curricular connections and enables a more comprehensive understanding of topics such as climate changes and natural hazards.
In line with the research objectives focused on students, the semi-structured interview method together with survey were found to be the most effective for gathering detailed data, opinions, and insights. Sampling was based on the participation of Geography students on all educational levels. Interviews were conducted with ten participants, each of whom provided valuable information based on their experiences. Even though there are numerous possibilities of field work and outdoor education within Geography curriculum most teaching occurs in the classroom. Results indicate outdoor education develops numerous soft skills and also increases environmental awareness by integrating educational content with outdoor experiences during walking, camping, hiking, nature observation, etc.

Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) represents a transformative force in spatial analysis, combining artificial intelligence with geospatial data to address critical urban and environmental challenges. This study seeks to answer the research question: how can GeoAI contribute to reducing territorial inequalities and promoting more sustainable cities? The research examines GeoAI applications in urban planning, infrastructure monitoring, and environmental risk management, highlighting its potential to revolutionise how spatial data is analysed and used for decision-making.

The theoretical approach is grounded in an interdisciplinary framework, synthesising insights from human geography, computational sciences, and sustainability studies. It draws on concepts of spatial justice and resilience to explore the socio-economic and ecological dimensions of GeoAI’s integration into urban systems. By bridging these fields, the study aims to uncover the transformative capacity of GeoAI in addressing disparities between urban centres and peripheral regions.

Methodologically, the study employs a mixed-method approach. Quantitative analysis leverages advanced machine learning models, including deep learning algorithms for satellite image processing, spatial data visualisation, and predictive modelling. These techniques are applied to big geodata to uncover patterns and dynamics in urban development and environmental change. Complementing this, qualitative methods involve case studies and a critical literature review to explore ethical implications, operational challenges, and governance frameworks for GeoAI adoption. Data sources include open-access geospatial datasets and high-resolution satellite imagery from programs such as Copernicus, ensuring robust and diverse data inputs.

The findings are expected to contribute to the growing body of research on GeoAI’s role in shaping urban futures. The study highlights opportunities for GeoAI to optimise urban planning, enhance disaster preparedness, and address territorial inequalities. However, it also underscores the need to address challenges, such as data biases, accessibility issues, and regulatory gaps. By critically assessing these dimensions, this research seeks to provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to harness GeoAI for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Land-use/land-cover (LULC) change prediction depends on input variables, but the importance of each variable may vary based on geographical location, time, and the targeted changes in the study area. Most environmental variables are derived from remote sensing data. With advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML), various change detection models have been developed that effectively assess the importance of input variables based on these criteria. Such weightings are critical for layer embedding in Markov models to predict future changes. In this research, we predict land-use changes over a 30-year period using the Land Change Modeler (LCM) with different transitional models, including Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Decision Forest (DF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), for the Krkonoše Protected Area in the Czech Republic. We utilized satellite images from the TM and ETM+ sensors of Landsat 5 and 7 and the OLI sensor of Landsat 8 for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. Additionally, the ASTER Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and spatial data related to human and natural factors were incorporated as comprehensive input variables for our transitional ML models. Satellite images were classified in Google Earth Engine into eleven classes. The LCM Markov model predicted land-use changes, comparing our applied ML models. According to the results, from 1990 to 2020, the classes of deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests increased respectively by +0.74%, +7.11%, and +6.15%. Conversely, transition forests and clearings, areas with sparse vegetation, decreased by -9.81% and -1.20%, respectively. Land-use change predictions for 2020, generated by the applied models, were validated against the actual 2020 land-use map using the overall accuracy method. The models achieved accuracy levels of MLP: 83.38%, SVM: 86.72%, and DF: 89.88%. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining machine learning techniques with the LCM Markov model for LULC prediction. The findings emphasize the dynamic nature of forest ecosystems and the need for accurate models to ensure sustainable resource management.

The MOSAIK project introduces an innovative framework to capture and analyze socioeconomic transformations in Vienna at the micro level. By harnessing diverse image data—from Google Street View and Kappazunder to aerial photography—we employ AI-based techniques to automatically extract urban features such as facade structures, roof conditions, and ground floor uses. Neural networks detect building facades and roofs, while supervised machine learning models classify ground-level activities. This enables the comprehensive mapping of diverse built-functional areas across the entire urban space: the usage patterns of ground floor zones, the structural condition of facades, as well as roof conditions and attic expansions. Geostatistical analyses, including hotspot and cluster detection, further delineate areas of urban appreciation and depreciation. By integrating these spatial metrics with socioeconomic indicators like education, household income, and migration background it obtains a comprehensive overview of the socioeconomic transformation in Vienna. Moreover, MOSAIK aims to clarify whether social structures and dynamics can be automatically extracted from image data. This presentation will discuss our methodology, first findings, and the broader implications of street view image analysis for human geography.

This project explores the use of machine learning to investigate state-led cultural assimilation policies in the People's Republic of China, with a particular focus on urban public spaces affected by the nationwide “Sinicization” campaign. These policies, aimed at aligning ethnic, religious, and linguistic minority cultures with a dominant Han Chinese identity, manifest visibly through architectural modifications: altered shop signs, erased ornaments, and defaced building facades. Documenting such spatial changes is increasingly challenging due to restricted access to affected regions and a lack of comprehensive data.

To address this gap, the project leverages Baidu’s “Total View” platform—China’s equivalent of Google Street View—which continuously captures panoramic images across urban and rural environments. By harnessing computer vision and pattern recognition techniques, the project develops an AI-based framework to algorithmically detect architectural and spatial alterations over time. These changes, though subtle—like glue stains where signage was removed or inconsistencies in wall textures—reveal the systematic implementation of assimilation policies in everyday urban environments.

The methodology involves comparing multiple iterations of street-level imagery from identical locations to identify visual discrepancies. This AI-driven temporal analysis enables the detection and quantification of thousands of instances of visual erasure or modification across a vast geographic scale. The approach transforms Baidu’s regularly updated image streams into a dynamic, searchable archive for visual evidence of cultural suppression.

This work not only contributes a novel methodological approach to geographic inquiry—blending AI with critical urban studies and political geography—but also demonstrates the potential of machine learning to uncover patterns of socio-political transformation that might otherwise remain obscured. The project highlights both the power and ethical responsibility of using AI in politically sensitive contexts, especially where traditional fieldwork is restricted. By making visible the hidden geography of state control, this research underscores the role of AI in extending the reach and depth of human geographic analysis into contested and inaccessible spaces.

In recent years, there is a growing emphasis on societal impact in order to respond more quickly to complex societal challenges. Geographers have also warned about the growing gap between the discipline of geography (‘big-G’ geography) and the production and dissemination of other geographic knowledges (‘little-g’ geography) by societal or governmental organizations and other publics (Castree et al., 2008). To bridge this gap and communicate geography to wider audiences, it is of fundamental importance for geographers to understand the basic principles of science communication and communication theory. These fields emphasize that the metaphor of the ‘ivory tower’ academic is outdated, as “all geographical knowledge is pedagogical and all pedagogy is political” (Castree 2008, p.680). Rather, science and society are co-produced; not only is there a two-way relationship between research and policy-making, but also between Geography and its different publics. This contribution brings reflects on how pertinent developments within the fields of ‘public geographies’, science communication and science-and-technology studies can inform geography teaching. Second, it will demonstrate how these insights are translated into a science communication course for second-year undergraduate students in geography, including a reflection on both content, learning activities and pedagogical knowledge. The paper concludes by discussing lessons learned and the potential requirements of a science communication course for post-graduates and early-career geographers.

The dissemination phase of a geographic film (Jacobs, 2013; Gandy, 2021) - a research conducted and presented in cinematic form - constitutes a pivotal step in communicating the significance of its findings beyond the confines of the geographic discipline, promoting a reciprocal dialogue between the academic community and civil society. In this phase, new subjectivities emerge alongside that of the researcher who conducted the study: the multiple viewers reached by the geographical film. These plural and diverse audiences, both academic and non-academic, will generate a new relational assemblage, yet another dynamic through which spatial morality becomes more robust and apparent, or, alternatively, is disrupted and redefined (Loi, Salimbeni, 2022). In this perspective, it is through engagement and dialogue with an audience broader than the academic community (Varotto, Rossetto, 2016) that the initial findings of a geographic research could evolve. This interaction encourages the researcher to continue engaging with alternative visions and perspectives, even after the research has been completed, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. At the same time, it contributes to raising new doubts and questions about the investigated topic within less self-referential circles than those of academia, potentially producing a greater impact, in terms of engagement, than research disseminated only in the form of articles or scientific monographs.

Building on these premises, this contribution aims to critically reflect on the dissemination experience of the geographical film 'Movimento Fermo', a PhD research project on the multifaceted phenomenon of the “new mountaineers” (Corrado et al., 2014) reinhabiting the Italian rural mountains. The presentation will focus on the diverse types of audiences that the geographical film has reached, the variety of venues and platforms where it has been presented, and the unexpected opportunities that have emerged from this research project conducted and shared in cinematic form.

The academic debate surrounding the public dimension of geography has explored the processes through which geographical knowledge is constructed and disseminated. Within this context, recognizing the non-neutrality of knowledge raises critical questions: What role should the researcher play? How can participatory tools be designed to amplify voices and practices that challenge dominant narratives? How can research findings be effectively communicated beyond the confines of academia? And who should be the target audience?

Acknowledging the challenges of providing definitive answers to such questions and the necessity of transcending disciplinary boundaries, recent decades have witnessed the emergence of numerous experimental approaches to research. These approaches aim to capture the complexities and relational dynamics that define contemporary socio-spatial processes. In this context, the performative turn has provided a framework for examining how social spaces and individual or collective identities are dynamically enacted and mutually shaped through ongoing interactions, and a lens for examining positionality, research methodologies, and dissemination strategies.

Among the experimental practices inspired by this paradigm, playful performances have emerged as a means to study public space beyond functionalist approaches and as a way for geographers to engage with space interactively through play. Some of these questions and experimental efforts have been explored by different researchers, for example, in connection with a playful performance organized for GeoNight 2023 in Rome.

This contribution aims to delve deeper into this theoretical and experimental framework, starting from initial reflections on organizing a playful performance: a murder mystery game held in Palermo in the spring of 2025. The initiative, part of a research project focused on outdoor and co-creative practices, was developed in collaboration with local associations. The goal is to foster dialogue between academic knowledge about the city and the expertise of local actors, ultimately presenting the results to the public in the form of an urban game. This approach opens new perspectives on public geography, promoting participatory practices and innovative methods of dissemination.

This contribution presents Disabitanti, a participatory theatre and storytelling project that investigates marginal spaces and intangible geographies in Salento, with a focus on the abandoned houses of the small village of Corigliano d’Otranto. The project, realized by myself in collaboration with Magma Aps and Alibi Association, transforms these spaces from inert, neglected backdrops into active loci of creative expression and collective memory, emphasizing their role as repositories of intangible heritage and as catalysts for cultural valorization.

Disabitanti actively involved local communities by inviting homeowners and participants to uncover the memories and histories embedded in abandoned spaces. Through dramaturgical and geo-narrative workshops, participants reconstructed stories inspired by traces left behind - whether an object, a wall marking or an oral history fragment. These processes culminated in a series of site-specific performances that forged emotional and intellectual connections between audiences and the themes of geographical marginality, memory and identity.

The presentation explores the innovative methodologies employed by Disabitanti, including the use of theatre as a medium for spatial inquiry, the co-creation of narratives, and the integration of local knowledge into research dissemination. It further interrogates the potential of disused and marginalized spaces to serve as platforms for community reflection and cultural regeneration, highlighting the dynamic interplay between physical landscapes and intangible cultural heritage.

Reflecting on the challenges and successes of Disabitanti, this contribution offers a replicable model for bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement. It demonstrates how creative practices like participatory theatre and geo-narratives can foster inclusivity, promote spatial justice, and amplify the lived experiences of marginalized geographies. Geographical research often remains confined within academic circles, raising critical questions about how to communicate complex spatial concepts to broader audiences. This contribution aligns with the session's objectives by offering a concrete example of how creative practices can expand the dissemination and societal impact of geographical research. It aims to illustrate how partecipative and interdisciplinary approaches can enhance public understanding of geography and foster meaningful connections between research and communities.

Gamification is an engaging strategy that can motivate people to take action. A well-designed approach can transform any non-game activity into a playful and engaging experience. Due to its numerous benefits, gamification has been widely applied across various fields, from education to industry.

In recent years, several initiatives have explored gamification as a means to promote sustainable mobility (e.g., walking, cycling). These campaigns often leverage mobile apps, as smartphones are ideal for collecting georeferenced data. However, despite initial success, user engagement tends to decline over time, as gamification is typically focused on increasing extrinsic motivation through rewards, discounts, points, and similar incentives.

Building on this concept, we aim to take a step further by investigating how gamification can foster eco-tourism, transforming the in the nature experience into an interactive and playful journey. Specifically, our goal is to design a mobile app that encourages people to explore natural parks while simultaneously contributing to citizen science. Through this app, people can explore the territory and collect environmental data while enhancing their awareness of local biodiversity and its territory.

As a case study, we are focusing on the Po Delta Park, one of the most important wetlands in Europe and the largest in Italy. This vast ecosystem spans 64,000 hectares across two regions and hosts an extraordinary diversity of life, including over 400 animal species and nearly 1,000 plant species. Within this rich natural context, we are designing a mobile app that can be used exclusively while exploring the park. The app will provide real-time, location-based information on local biodiversity. While navigating the park, users will also be prompted to take pictures of flora and fauna, contributing to a shared gallery, evnetually accessible to both other participants and scientists. This feature will enable users to build a personal collection, unlocking different species and accessing augmented reality representations and informative content about each natural element.

By doing so, we aim to enhance awareness of local biodiversity and its vital role in our lives while offering an engaging and interactive way to explore natural environments and territories, levering on intrinsic motivation.

Shanxi, one of China's most important Buddhist cultural tourism destinations, has faced sustainable development challenges in recent years due to over-commercialisation and the limitations of traditional tourism models. Conventional spatial experiences tend to be static and fail to effectively attract visitors who lack a deep connection to religion or culture.

The launch of the Black Myth: Wukong video game has breathed new life into cultural tourism in Shanxi through gamification. This video game - which integrates up to 27 Buddhist cultural heritage sites in Shanxi into a highly interactive digital narrative - topped the global charts on the day of its release and was awarded the prestigious ‘Best Action Game’ award at The Game Awards 2024. Gamification, by merging the virtual with the real, has strengthened the emotional connection with young and low religious audiences through interactive experiences. This phenomenon has had a direct impact on tourism: visits to iconic sites such as the Mahavira Hall of Xiaoxitian increased by 326% year-on-year on the first day of the 2024 Chinese Moon Festival holiday. The innovative combination of tangible heritage and immersive digital realities has redefined the way people experience culture and transformed the global perception of Shanxi's cultural space.

This study, based on the analysis of tourist visitation in the destination of Shanxi and visitors' ratings on social networks, aims to show how digital innovation and gamified platforms transform static cultural spaces into dynamic and multidimensional environments, breaking down traditional geographical boundaries. In the field of tourism promotion, this transformation boosts the dissemination of thematic tourism routes, enhances the international visibility of destinations, reinforces the global recognition of cultural heritage and is an exponent of the enormous potential of digital innovation to redefine new ways of conceptualising space in the future.

The concept of gamification is a new form of growth for various sectors of activity by introducing game design elements to create maximum involvement of the practitioner in the proposed activity. Tourism induced by video games represents a new form of tourism that is emerging as an opportunity for economic development. Due to its particular characteristics, the tourism induced by video games stands out as an attractive form and related to a special category of tourists, namely those who are part of the video-gaming industry. The purpose of the study is focused on the identification of the industries with applied elements of the concept of gamification. The authors pay particular attention to the identification and analysis of Romania's tourist attractiveness elements, within some games with references to the Romanian territory, based on a comparison between the frames presented in the game and frames from reality. At the same time, the development of the study also included the analysis of the evolution of tourism induced by video games by consulting the specialized literature. The main results of the study were highlighted by the identification of multiple assets of cultural identity and locations related to Romania within the videos games, thus shaping an innovative touristic image. In addition, the promotion of these elements of cultural identity through video games is a potential effect that can stimulate tourist motivation and the gamification process can bring new benefits and opportunities to the hospitality industry.

Cross-border travel in Europe is freer than almost anywhere else in the world. It might therefore seem that the borders between European countries are becoming less important and that passengers do not even think about them when choosing their travel destination. However, even in a highly integrated and liberalised region such as Europe, the border still appears as a negative factor when looking at transport supply and demand figures. Borders continue to act as barriers to some extent.

The aim of this paper is to provide reliable estimates of these negative border effects and to analyse possible determinants of such negative effects. This topic is often studied with a focus on trade, but there are only a few studies dealing with border effects in the field of long-distance passenger transport, especially in Europe. As these studies do not cover the whole of Europe or do not go into depth, there is a gap that needs to be filled. Knowing the magnitude of negative border effects is crucial and valuable for various actors, such as transport policymakers, airport operators or air service providers.

The magnitudes of border effects will be obtained using different specifications of gravity models based on origin-destination data. In addition, various factors that could influence these values will be examined. The primary estimation is based on OAG supply data using OECD/Eurostat functional urban areas (FUAs) as spatial units. Estimates from supply models will be compared with those from demand models using Eurostat data. The novelty of this paper also lies in the consideration of multiple spatial units, when the results obtained using FUAs are compared with those obtained using NUTS 3 or metropolitan regions from Eurostat. To understand how the values of border effects evolve over time, part of the analysis is carried out on panel data. In addition, the geographical distribution of border effects will be examined in order to identify spatial differences in the integration process. Further spatial differences will also be identified by mapping residuals, which should help to think beyond the models.

Railways are essential for landlocked states to secure cost-effective access to major export and import markets, which is critical for overcoming trade bottlenecks imposed by geography. However, Central Asia, a landlocked region, has historically faced significant limitations due to its underdeveloped railway infrastructure. Unlike the advanced rail networks at the eastern and western ends of Eurasia, Central Asia’s railway system lags behind, hindering regional connectivity. The improvement of railway links in this region is not only vital for Central Asia’s economic growth but also for enhancing the overall accessibility of the Eurasian continent. This paper examines how the completion of planned cross-border railway projects will transform Central Asia's connectivity with other Eurasian regions. Utilizing existing cross-border railway planning documents, the study simulates changes in accessibility resulting from the development of major trans-Eurasian rail corridors. It assesses the potential impact on travel times, logistics efficiency, and connectivity between key Eurasian regions, particularly Central Asia, China, Russia, and Europe. By comparing current and projected transport scenarios, the paper provides insights into how the expanded rail network will improve cross-continental movement, foster greater integration, and bridge gaps between less-connected regions. The study underscores the importance of railway infrastructure in improving geographic accessibility and enhancing the overall transport connectivity of Eurasia.

Border effects in global port shipping are reflected in the competitiveness of cross-border ports and the complementarity of domestic ports. For both export and import ports: the market diversification strategy determines the competitive relationships among cross-border ports; the shared hinterland and the redundant routes coping with risks determine the complementary relationships among domestic ports. Thus, based on the dimensions of “Port of Loading (POL) – Port of Discharge(POD)” and “Competitiveness – Complementarity”, four types of shipping networks that reflect border effects exist. Previous studies only investigated the competitiveness of import countries, resulting in the masking of the ports' role and the complementary relationship. Exporters have also not been considered.

To fill these gaps, this paper constructed the “POL-POD-Competitiveness-Complementarity (PPCC)” theoretical framework, and used the Export Similarity Index to construct the PPCC Intensity Model. The global iron ore trade flow, which hold significant importance for national economy and strategic security, was selected as the research object. The research data came from Automatic Identification System (AIS) and GoGo-TRADE Vessel Report System. Complex Network Methods were applied to construct the global iron ore trade flow PPCC network and measure the multiple border effects.

The results are as follows: (1) 90% of cross-border ports competitiveness intensity and 50% of domestic ports complementarity intensity are very small, indicating that the border effects of port shipping are mainly reflected among a few core ports. From the extreme values of competitiveness intensity of POL and POD, the former is 4 times higher than the latter, proving that the competitiveness of exporters is more imbalanced and cannot be ignored anymore. (2) In the competitiveness network of 109 POLs, ports in Australia, Brazil, and India are the core, while ports in East Asia are the core in the competitiveness network of 271 PODs. From the complementarity networks of various countries, it can be found that the domestic ports with long-distance and high-complementarity intensity are the most noteworthy, which could significantly enhance the resilience of the country in the shipping supply chain. (3) Competitiveness and complementarity in cross-border shipping were aggregated at the national level, and four types of countries were identified. The results revealed that China as an exporter and South Korea as an importer do not match in terms of their trade volume and cross-border transportation advantages.

As one of the most important cross-border railway networks in the world, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) provides opportunities to enhance social and economic integration among countries it connects. Although there is extensive research on how railways transform inter-city connections and facilitate passengers and freight flows within a single-country, studies on cross-border railways remain notably scarce. Unlike railway studies focused on a single country, analysing borders — one of the most significant factors in cross-border networks — requires nuanced approaches and methods. In this study, we propose a simple but generic method to explore the extent to which borders, such as those caused by differences in railway gauge, affect the centrality and efficiency of nodes (cities) and corridors at a network scale. This approach has been applied to the TEN-T using multiple simulation scenarios. Our findings confirm that, according to the topologic structure of TEN-T, countries situated near the geometric center of the network exhibit strong connectivity. Within the TEN-T, Paris and Berlin emerge as well-connected hubs. Regarding transport corridors, the Rhine - Alpine corridor and the North Sea - Mediterranean corridor demonstrate robust connectivity. Using simulation, we further show that when gauge-related border delays are introduced in peripherical areas, such as between France and Spain or Poland and Lithuania, a 5-hour delay at these borders results in measurable effects on betweenness centrality. Specially, the centrality of Spain and Lithuania decreases by 0.57% and 0.37%, respectively, while the centrality of France and Poland increases by 2.12% and 5.13%. Additionally, these border effects significantly diminish the geographic advantage of Berlin. This study highlights that border effects influence not only the regions near borders but also those with geometric centrality. These findings suggest a need to re-evaluate the geographical decay of border effects in cross-border railway networks.

It is common knowledge that transport infrastructures are a crucial element in the growth of a territory, both economically and territorially. Indeed, they affect connectivity and territorial cohesion. Consequently the concept of cross-border transport is now considered a fundamental element for the development of certain areas, such as the area of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Within this context, factors such as connectivity, accessibility and mobility are considered useful in promoting the exchange of goods and passengers between different nations. The analysis carried out in this research aims to analyze the spatial dynamics involving the different transport infrastructures (road, rail, port and airport) of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. This region was chosen due to the fact that Trieste, one of its cities, is a pivotal hub for logistics and transport networks that connect Central Europe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. With reference to the exchange and transportation of goods, the port of Trieste plays a central role due to its great ability to unite different modes of transportation, allowing efficient intermodal handling. From the passenger point of view, it has excellent cross-border rail and road infrastructures, together with local transport infrastructure, which facilitates the movement not only of cross-border tourists but also of workers and residents. Despite this, managing the different regulations in force remains a challenge, which involves the need to invest in infrastructure and integrate transportation systems in a circular perspective.
For this reason, the present work analyses the feasibility of innovative solutions to increase accessibility and mobility within the study area. To carry out this analysis, geographic information tools and quantitative models will be implemented in order to understand how infrastructure quality affects these factors.
The analysis will be carried out through a multiscalar approach and in the adoption of a holistic and dynamic vision of the territory. Indeed, combining these tools will allow us to draw a detailed picture of the relationship between territorial development, infrastructure, and the circular economy.

Regional integration policies profoundly influence the lifestyles and cultural perceptions of border-area residents while reshaping regional development through their effects on cross-border mobility and spatial interactions. In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the integration of Shenzhen and Hong Kong—two regions within the same country but governed by different political systems—has garnered significant attention. However, challenges such as policy coordination, cultural differences, and disparities in urban services highlight the need to evaluate the spatial satisfaction of residents. Existing research lacks systematic analyses of how integration policies affect cross-border spatial sentiments due to difficulties in collecting long-term emotional data and conducting multidimensional analysis. This study addresses these gaps by utilizing mobile signaling data and social media data, combined with large language models (LLMs), to identify Shenzhen-Hong Kong residents and evaluate their spatial satisfaction sentiments in cross-border areas. A novel causal inference framework integrating LLMs and interrupted time-series models assesses the causal effects of Shenzhen-Hong Kong integration policies on Hong Kong residents' spatial satisfaction in Shenzhen from 2018 to 2023, exploring heterogeneity across spatial types.

The findings reveal significant variations in short- and long-term policy effects across different spatial types. Transportation infrastructure policies, such as the operation of the West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station, directly improved border space accessibility, significantly enhancing short-term satisfaction in checkpoint areas. Development planning policies generally produced sustained positive impacts, with the Outline Development Plan for the GBA yielding immediate benefits in border checkpoint and socio-cultural spaces. Notably, the five policies analyzed exhibited spatial heterogeneity, aiding in pinpointing target implementation areas and identifying overlooked "gray" spaces. This study provides an effective framework for measuring the complex causal effects of integration policies, enriching empirical research on cross-border spatial sentiments and policy evaluation. The findings offer actionable insights for advancing regional integration initiatives in the GBA and similar contexts, supporting more precise and impactful policy design and implementation.

This study focuses on the motivation for cross-border mobility among inhabitants of mainly border regions. The principal objective is to identify the key factors that motivate residents towards cross-border mobility and whether there is a deviation from the perceived motivation to travel abroad compared to natural travel flows. The distance, border nature, municipality size, and purpose for cross-border mobility were successively analysed in our research. The research is based on a survey involving 668 municipalities, of which 230 (34%) lie in border regions, defined as an area within 30 kilometres of a national border, and 438 (66%) lie in the inland areas. This sample represents more than one-tenth of Czech municipalities. The results show that proximity to the national border and the neighbour’s economic strength were essential factors that created the preconditions for cross-border mobility. An important finding confirmed the relationship between proximity to the national border and commuting for work and services. Commuting to schools and for education was identified as a critical weakness. Furthermore, respondents living in borderland areas tended to overestimate their cross-border mobility on average by one-third over actual cross-border mobility flows, while respondents in inland areas tended to underestimate their cross-border mobility.

Czechia, with its key location, is part of the Baltic–Adriatic Corridor (Poland–Czechia/Slovakia–Austria–Italy), the Orient/East–Med Corridor (Germany–Czechia–Austria/Slovakia–Hungary–Romania–Bulgaria–Greece–Cyprus), and the Rhine–Danube Corridor (Germany–Austria/Czechia–Slovakia–Hungary–Romania). Central European space with a dense concentration of European capitals has excellent potential to develop a highly used HSR network and to substitute short and medium-haul flights. The focused region is delimited from the perspective of the Czech Republic. The possibility of traveling from one of three Czech metropolises - Prague, Brno, and Ostrava - to the final metropolis by direct train must exist.

One train change in the Czech metropolis is allowed despite the region delimitation by direct trains. Origin-destination metropolise pairs are so defined in "Czechocentric" Central Europe. The quality of the current rail network, HSR network change, and flight connection in the region are compared. The contribution has the specific aim of a one-day international business trip. It presents the actual cross-border business train connection market and the possibility of carrying out the trip, avoiding the need to stay overnight. The quantitative approach collects attributes such as the number of connections, travel time, and ticket cost. The available time for business talks in the destination is counted for train and plane connections.

The novelty and contribution of the research consist of accomplishing a field survey in trains on the territory of Czechia. The survey aims to gather information on the behavior of cross-border travelers. The interest lies in the number of business trips, the necessary time for business in destination, travel planning, or the willingness to stay overnight.
The synthesis of both types of research brings insight into the potential importance of Czech metropolises in the HSR network, passenger travel behavior change, and new business talk opportunities.

Islands, due to their geographic isolation, present unique challenges that make them vulnerable laboratories, where local governance plays a pivotal role in shaping responses to internal and external dynamics. This study investigates the tourism geography of Mallorca during the current transforming times marked by a “policrisis” —a series of interconnected crises, particularly climate change, energy suply or geopolitical inestability—, which have heightened tensions and demands from the local population, particularly in relation to the struggle for the right to the island as a response to increasing prices and subsequent spatial dispossession.

The aim of this communication is to explore the reactivation of the profit rate within the hotel sector, examining its connections to both the influx of private financial investment and the renovation of surrounding infrastructure through public funding. Our analysis focuses on Mallorca as a case study, where preliminary findings indicate a significant renewal and expansion of the real estate capital in the tourism industry. This includes an increase in the number of hotel rooms, as well as upgrades to hotel categories, new constructions, and refurbishments. These developments predominantly target enclavic sun-and-beach tourist resorts.

The methodology applied involves spatial correlation analysis of hotel renovation and expansion projects, public investments (e.g., Sustainable Tourism Tax, Next Generation Funds), the sources of capital investment, and changes in hotel RevPAR.

Our findings suggest that these renovation and expansion initiatives have contributed to the reactivation of profit rates, measured in terms of Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), within the primary capital accumulation circuit. Simultaneously, they enhance the attractiveness of the built environment for real estate financial investment as a way to boost the secondary circuit of capital accummulation. These results indicate a clear relationship between the revitalization of the tourism sector and improved profitability, linked to the revaluation of hotel real estate. This underscores the interaction between the primary and secondary circuits of capital accumulation, driven by public investment and regulatory flexibility in planning policies.

Losing population since 2009, Japan has been at the forefront of research on how to deal with shrinking populations. The effects are most severely visible on its remote islands. However, on some islands, diverse forms of tourism have attracted new residents, which in turn innovate the tourism sector. This paper will analyze the complex links between tourism and in-migration from the examples of three Japanese islands. It will offer valuable insights for European islands into strategies that don’t rely on sea, sand and sun tourism. I use the framework of place making to answer the following questions. What is the role of new residents in creating and sustaining a tourism destination? What elements of place attract them to the islands? The research is based on longitudinal studies of three islands on the Western edge of Japan and includes three steps. Images of islands in general and of the three islands were analyzed through an online monitor survey with 1601 respondents. In the second step, tourism development plans and interviews with local administration clarified the administrative placemaking efforts. Finally, interviews with new residents involved in tourism business were transcribed and coded to provide information on their motivations, activities and self-perceptions.

Results indicate three important links between tourism and new residents: destination image, business innovation and spatial expansion. While a strong tourism image can attract new residents, individual factors play a more important role in choosing “their” island. New residents in turn contribute to creating a more diverse island image, although in an uncoordinated way. Starting a business is one of the attractions of moving to an island, where it is possible to find a niche in the tourism market. New residents on the three island therefore contributed to a diversification of the tourism sector. However, many relied on generous national subsidies for businesses on Japan’s border islands. Finally, they often chose localities outside the main tourism sites for their business, thus helping to relieve concentration of tourists and to improve services in remote localities. As a result, their role in place making includes imaginary, economical and spatial components.

Over the last six decades, the Faroe Islands, an 18-island archipelago in the North Atlantic, undertook a massive road construction project. The project included building many tunnels, the first of which opened in 1963, and sub-sea tunnels, the most recent one was inaugurated in December 2023. Transport infrastructure lies at the foundation of the country’s development, and ferry lines have been progressively replaced by fixed links regardless of socio-economic conditions, such as the economic and demographic collapse after the crash of the fisheries in the early 1990. This paper investigates the archipelago’s spatial and regional development over the last six decades in order to determine whether road expansion has contributed to demographically sustaining communities. This is done by analysing the development of transport infrastructure and its impact on population change at the regional, island, and village levels.

Results show that fixed links have been critical in connecting distant villages and islands together across the archipelago. Yet, the few exceptions of the so-called ‘outer islands’ demonstrate that tunnels alone have been insufficient to achieve a demographically balanced country. In terms of spatial development, we argue that fixed links (i) have favoured individual mobility patterns; (ii) have re-configured existing centre-periphery relationships; and (iii) may have altered the archipelago’s insular condition.

This research investigates perceptions of islandness, place identity, and sustainability, comparing the viewpoints of islanders and non-islanders. Focusing on the Greek islands as a primary context, the study explores how geographical isolation, cultural identity, and resource limitations shape development strategies and perceptions of sustainability. It further examines the role of place branding as a tool to bridge these perspectives and foster sustainable development. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analyses with qualitative insights from a large scale survey and two focus groups. These methods capture both the unique priorities of island residents and the external perceptions held by non-islanders. The study employs a robust analytical framework that integrates insights from geography, sociology, and environmental studies to examine how local and external perspectives converge or diverge on key issues. The findings reveal both key differences and areas of convergence in how islanders and non-islanders perceive the role of place identity and branding. Islanders emphasise community resilience and cultural preservation, while non-islanders highlight the potential for tourism and economic opportunities. However, both groups align on the importance of sustainability and the need to balance economic growth with environmental and cultural stewardship. Place branding emerges as a valuable strategy for harmonising these perspectives, enhancing community engagement, and promoting sustainable tourism. This study underscores the importance of participatory governance to ensure that development policies reflect both local aspirations and external expectations. By offering a replicable framework, it provides practical insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders aiming to navigate the complexities of sustainable island development. It advocates for reimagining islands as vibrant, self-sustaining communities that actively contribute to regional and global progress through shared perspectives and collaborative strategies.

The healthcare system on 50 inhabited Croatian islands is confronted with a complex set of challenges, primarily driven by geographic isolation and social marginalization. In relative terms, considering the geographical differentiation of Croatian islands, we divide them into into large and small, near and offshore islands, each with distinct healthcare needs. These geographical differences are important for understanding the disparities in healthcare access and infrastructure.

The research aimed to evaluate the state of healthcare infrastructure on islands and assess the satisfaction of islanders with the quality and accessibility of healthcare services. Given the geographic diversity of the islands, their distinct demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and complex administrative structures, the study sought to categorize the islands based on the development of their healthcare systems and to propose targeted solutions for addressing critical deficiencies that limit islanders’ access to adequate healthcare. Furthermore, the research identified the most pressing shortcomings and highlighted the services that islanders deem essential for their well-being and sustainable living on the islands.

The methodology encompasses a thorough analysis of healthcare facilities across islands, focusing on identifying service provision gaps relative to island size and distance from the mainland. This is complemented by a survey of nearly 500 respondents. The survey collected insights into the state of healthcare infrastructure on the islands and examined islanders' perceptions of different facets of healthcare services.

The research findings indicate that social marginalization exacerbates healthcare disparities on Croatian islands. Island residents express dissatisfaction with the state of healthcare services and infrastructure on the islands. Residents are unhappy with the inadequate equipment in the medical clinics and fear that doctors may leave the islands due to poor working conditions. They view the Ministry of Health as primarily responsible for the state of healthcare, followed by local governments. Another challenge to the sustainable development of islands is the seasonal strain on the healthcare system caused by tourism, which reduces the availability of services during peak periods. The research seeks to offer insights into potential policy solutions that could improve healthcare provision across islands, especially for the most vulnerable and remote communities.

Islands and archipelagos are often considered as laboratories, with their apparent isolation deemed to be an ideal condition for research. But their isolation is as much a social construction as a reality. Cabo Verde (CV), an island nation in the Atlantic, off Western Africa and a former Portuguese colony, since the beginning of its inhabitation has been shaped by its connections with other places. An arid archipelago with limited agricultural potential – and a colonial history of non-exploitation of this potential –, CV has suffered over centuries from cyclical droughts, the absence of effective policies to guarantee food security by Portugal and mortal famines as a consequence. Since shortly before their independence, the islands have greatly benefited from large investments in food imports which today cover 85-90% of demand, achieving a socio-economic condition in which hunger since 1949, is not, any more, a recurring phenomenon. At the same time, CV’s greater social well-being depends on processes of global development and economic growth – e.g., a global food system – which are at the basis of the global socio-ecological crisis which today again threatens not only CV’s food security. The article explores this contradictory situation, scrutinising the meaning of concepts like food sovereignty and food security, the role of local production and food trade, in the context of CV’s condition of interconnected islandness.

This contribution presents reflections and findings from "Islands 4 Future," an interdisciplinary project conducted firstly on the island of Ponza (Italy), and later transferred to other insular contexts. It involves geographers, anthropologists, and pedagogists, aiming to define a research model exploring the proactive role of younger generations in addressing the marginalization of micro-insular territories and enhancing their cultural heritage.

The research posits that challenging monoseasonal tourist exploitation and the structural weaknesses of local agency—exemplified by Ponza—requires integrating education in sustainability and environmental care with the promotion of local heritage. A forward-looking approach is essential, emphasizing the active agency of young people towards the construction of future opportunities and valorization pathways.

The project developed through five phases:
a) bibliographic research to create an interdisciplinary framework and thematic library;
b) analysis of EU, national, and regional policies on local development, marginalization, youth, and education, exploring the interaction between micro and macro levels;
c) ethnographic fieldwork in Ponza to study its specific context;
d) participatory workshops with high school students on Ponza and the Venice archipelago, including a program to create a collaborative film reflecting perceptions of the island’s cultural heritage;
e) extension of the framework to other micro-islands, such as Elba.

This research trajectory across various island contexts offers insights into the perspectives of young people on Italian small islands, both adolescents and young adults. Moreover, it creates a virtual archipelago (#OurCommonIslandFuture); an inter-island network connecting youth from different but comparable contexts. Inter-island dialogue proves vital for developing shared protocols, transferring results, and adapting the models to other cases.

The contribution highlights outcomes such as a digital atlas of Italy’s small islands and creative methodological tools developed during the process, such as participatory cartography and filmmaking. It aims to present a replicable toolkit for similar projects, recognizing that effective political strategies must shift from macro to micro scales. Empowering young people as key agents is essential for shaping sustainable futures of small islands.

Who cares? This is a timely question amidst the growing care crisis across Europe, driven by political and socio-economic changes, such as neoliberal state reforms, ageing populations, and rising living costs. The care crisis highlights the increasing precarity of care systems and labor, and stresses the impact of austerity, privatisation, and commodification of care services, and the growing deficit in informal care. It is an intersectional crisis that widens gender, racial, and socio-economic inequalities, and its far-reaching impacts affect everyone. The overarching aim of this project is to gain an in-depth and holistic understanding of how the care crisis materialises in different locations and contexts. Our main question is: how does the care crisis shape the situated, emplaced impacts and everyday experiences of social care?

Care has proven to be challenging to address, both in theory and practice. It is a complex and, at times, conflicting concept. It cuts across different dimensions of life, from daily routines to moments of crisis. Care is both paid and unpaid practices, comprising a dialectic relationship between formal services like institutional elderly care and informal support among community members. Therefore, rather than examining pre-defined conceptualisations of care, this project begins with the lived realities and experiences of the everyday. Furthermore, a critical infrastructure lens is applied, which perceives care as both a physical, material, institutional, and embodied infrastructure that sustains everyday life.

We specifically look to (small) islands for two reasons. Firstly, the pressure on social care is exacerbated due to their isolation, both physical, economic, social, and political, and significant demographic shifts. Secondly, islands' confined environments make them ideal for studying complex social phenomena and understanding local impacts of global changes, which can provide valuable insights for care in other regions. This is a longer project that will comprise three different island cases, the Faroe Islands, Lesvos (Greece), and the Wadden Islands (the Netherlands). The first empirical work will start in early spring 2025, and will provide qualitative, comprehensive and nuanced insights into the complexity of changing everyday care infrastructures and their intersections with island contexts.

In geography, the emphasis is on the close relationship between physical and social geography, and the integrative approach has long been accepted in education and research but is hardly used. In geography, it would be useful to fill this gap because, for example, more and more questions about hazards and vulnerability are becoming important, for which complex explanations from the disciplines involved may be necessary. However, research is stalled by the lack of convincing integrative theories, methods and practical applications. While the need for a complex, integrative approach to geographic, professional issues is increasingly justified, the physical and social geographic disciplines are moving away from each other. Although the basic concept of geography makes it appropriate to provide an integrative response to complex questions (although the definition of this is not fixed), the paper stresses the importance of linking the two disciplines and the fact that geography is also capable of providing a complex approach. On the other hand, it presents several issues that require complex analysis and several methods for tackling them that are known in other disciplines.

The landscape reflects the interplay between natural and human factors and serves as an archive of material and cultural activities throughout history. This complex interplay has led to changes in the natural environment that can be examined from different perspectives (historical, economic, ecological and others). All these perspectives are interlinked and influence each other, which ultimately constitutes the cultural landscape. This study focuses on the historical environment of the Dalmatian marshes, located in the karst poljes, as a key element of the relationship between humans and the environment. The aim of the study is to provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the spatial dynamics and degradation of the Dalmatian marshes in the 19th and early 20th century using selected examples.

The historical environment and the areas of the selected marshes were reconstructed using georeferenced maps from the military surveys of the Habsburg Monarchy, which were processed with GIS software. The marshes and the driving forces behind their transformation were characterized using data from archival materials such as cadastral plans from the Venetian and Austrian periods and reports on drainage projects. The current extent of the marshes was derived from PlanetScope satellite imagery and compared with their historical extent. The spatial and demographic factors influencing malaria-related mortality are examined in greater detail in this study for a specific area - Bokanjac Blato in northern Dalmatia - through parish death registers (1825–1887).

The preliminary results indicate significant changes in the Dalmatian marshes, during the observed period, marked by a considerable reduction in their surface area. The study shows that this change was caused by both natural processes and anthropogenic factors such as land use change, drainage of wetlands and malaria control measures. The results related to malaria show a clear spatial pattern in the distribution of the disease, with higher mortality rates observed in settlements near marshes, such as Bokanjac, and significantly lower rates in areas farther away. This study improves the understanding of the spatial distribution and changes of marshes in Dalmatia with a focus on the spatial patterns of malaria distribution in Bokanjačko blato in the 19th and early 20th century.

Pluvial flooding can be also characterized as surface water flooding. It occurs after a very intense rainfall, which causes that the capacity of surfaces is overwhelmed and cannot effectively absorb or drain away the high amounts of water. Pluvial flooding thus happens outside of the watercourse itself. This study aims at mapping and assessing the pluvial flood potential at both the catchment scale and the municipal scale using relevant pluvial flood potential indicators and geographic information systems (GIS). The catchment scale was represented by the Gidra catchment (western Slovakia) while the municipal scale comprised of twelve municipalities from the studied catchment, which urban area falls completely or partially within the studied catchment and can be highly affected by a pluvial flood event. In order to calculate the pluvial flood potential index (PFPI), we processed the following indicators at catchment scale: lithology, curvature, topographic wetness index, soil texture, land use/land cover, and normalized difference vegetation index. As part of the municipal-scale assessment, we classified the indicators into classes or intervals and determined the importance of each class. Then, we calculated the proportion of each class of the indicators on the extent of the studied municipality. After that, the proportion of the class was multiplied with the corresponding weight, which was estimated based on the rank sum method. The weighted classes of each indicator were summed to have one quantitative value for each indicator per municipality and this value was then normalized using the maximum method. The resulting PFPI was calculated as the summation of equally weighted indicators. The highest values of the PFPI were recorded in the municipalities of Cífer, Slovenská Nová Ves, Voderady, and Abrahám, which are located in central and lower part of the catchment. We also compared the resulting PFPI with previous pluvial flood events in the studied municipalities. Acknowledgment: Funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia under the project No. 09I03-03-V03-00085.

Sarajevo Canton faces several environmental challenges, with air pollution ranking as one of the most significant issues affecting both human health and ecological diversity. This study adopts an integrative geographical approach to analyze the spatial distribution of air pollution and assess the role of bioindicators in understanding its environmental and socio-economic impacts. By integrating physical geography methods, such as air quality monitoring and bioindicator surveys, with human geography perspectives, including socio-economic vulnerability mapping, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the harmful human impact on air pollution, which ultimately reduces quality of life.

Air quality data were collected from monitoring stations across Sarajevo Canton, focusing on key pollutants, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). Simultaneously, bioindicators (mosses and lichen) were used to evaluate the biological effects of pollution, as well as the metal contamination. These environmental data were integrated with socio-economic indicators (population density, income levels, number of registered cars, and healthcare access), to map exposure and vulnerability across different municipalities.

Results reveal significant spatial disparities in pollution levels, with urban areas exhibiting higher concentrations of pollutants and reduced bioindicator diversity. Bioindicators proved valuable in identifying pollution hotspots and ecological stress zones, underscoring their utility in monitoring and managing urban environmental health. Mapped areas identify regions with the highest pollution levels, emphasizing significant health risks for residents. In contrast, there is a clear trend of constructing high-cost residential buildings in hilly areas above the inversion layer, where air pollution is minimal.

These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, including the identification of priority areas for intervention and the development of targeted strategies to reduce air pollution and mitigate its health impacts. By situating the study within Sarajevo Canton, this research contributes to the broader discourse on human-environment relations and underscores the importance of localized, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability and resilience.

The basin of the river Noguera Ribagorzana is located in the southern slope of the Pyrenees. Both its physical characteristics (i.e. extremely fragmented relief – Solé, 1964) and its early intensive water resource exploitation for hydropower purposes (Vallès, 1949) particularly well reflect how complex interactions between river systems and human communities can be. Furthermore, this 140-km-long river politically divides two historical regions, Aragon and Catalonia, already since the 14^th century, the current administrative border running along the river course still today (Tort, 2000). Governance is, thus, a third component decisively contributing to the complex management of the area (Sancho & Tort, 2012).

This paper focuses on three issues that are intimately connected to the above-announced geo-historical features of the river basin, namely: 1) the management of its water resources, which is clearly marked by major hydropower infrastructures incl. four major dams and a long underground channel with a deep negative impact on nature and human activities; 2) environmental challenges derived from constant river flow fluctuations, which ultimately jeopardise the region’s opportunities for economic diversification; and 3) governance challenges inherited from the region’s border character, which hinders coherent territorial management approaches.

Based on this diagnostic, and being fully aware of the immense challenges of this peripheral region, we offer a series of principles of action for the future. Such principles seek to improve the effectiveness of public policies that have an impact on the territory in question. This paper shows the results of years of integrative geographical research on-site, including two dissertations, manifold publications, and two research projects, the second one still undergoing, devoted to the impact of public policies in border areas in Spain.

This study is an interdisciplinary research between urbanism (urban studies, planning, and design) and geography.

Perhaps it is obvious that the two disciplines have many intersections. Urbanism is very much like geography in its complexity and interdisciplinarity. Geography, as a system of sciences that investigates phenomena in a spatial dimension, is an excellent basis for developing competences in urban science and practice.

In their theoretical and methodological approach, both are spatio-territorial sciences, since urbanism focuses on city territory and space, while geography focuses on the territory and space of the Earth's geographic sphere. In both these disciplines, graphical solutions - maps, plans, drawings, and diagrams - are an important methodological and applied expression. However, geography is more of a theoretical science, whereas urbanism is more concerned with practical activities.

One of the common aspects of the discipline's research and practice is the cultural landscape. Landscapes created by humans and reflecting their coexistence with the environment are dominant in the modern world, making their understanding an important and relevant scientific field.

This work is an overview study of the concept of cultural landscape and a systematic identification of the objects/scales and tools/instruments used by geographers and urbanists in cultural landscape research. The main objectives of this study are to promote interdisciplinarity and to define the points of convergence and possible divergence between these disciplines on this subject. This study is mainly based on the Lithuanian research perspectives of the cultural landscape, but they are complemented by other European and global approaches.

: Serbia is a country with extremely unfavorable demographic trends and at the same time faced with numerous environmental challenges. Both components of population dynamics, natural increase, and migration balance, caused a reduction trend in the total population of Serbia. In parallel, Serbia will become one of the areas to be greatly affected by climate change, especially in terms of rising average temperatures. This paper aims to examine whether there is a relationship between the components of population dynamics and certain parameters of climate change. Bearing in mind the demographic differentiation of the territory of Serbia, the paper focuses on the regional aspect with the aim to distinguishing homogenous areas in terms of population dynamics and climate parameters in the previous decade. The results showed that climate change affects the population dynamics of Serbian municipalities, especially the migration component. It has been shown that the increase in average temperature intensifies the spatial mobility of the population in the municipalities of Serbia. The capital Belgrade stand out as a "heat island" within Serbia with the highest immigration, while the municipalities of Eastern, Southeastern, and partially Western Serbia (predominantly hilly and mountainous areas) are characterized by significantly more favorable climatic parameters, but at the same time markedly unfavorable demographic trends (depopulation, negative migration balance, negative natural increase). This analysis raised questions for future research: first, whether the intensification of climate change and the worsening of environmental conditions in the capital city will change the population flows and direct them towards some environmentally acceptable areas of Serbia? Second, whether separating the direct and indirect effects of climate change on population dynamics would provide a clearer picture of this nexus?

Spatial planning in Serbia, as a discipline of applied geography, relies on the principles of integrative geography, connecting human and physical geography to address the complex relationships between people and their environment. This approach critically examines the interaction between society and nature, striving for balanced territorial development and the enhancement of the quality of life for the population in the planned area—an ultimate goal of all spatial planning efforts.

The emphasis of integrative geography on connecting social and natural systems is particularly relevant to contemporary challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and demographic shifts. Spatial planning provides a framework for addressing these challenges, as well as key issues of sustainability, resilience, and human and environmental health in a holistic manner.

The integrated nature of spatial planning in Serbia is reflected in its interdisciplinary methodology, which combines social, economic, and environmental dimensions to formulate spatial solutions. Spatial plans, based on extensive analyses, propose measures for sustainable resource management, a more balanced population distribution, infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction, and more. This creates a framework for aligning the needs of human communities with the capacities of natural systems, thereby ensuring a sustainable relationship between people and their environment.

However, the practical application of this integrated approach faces significant challenges. Horizontal coordination among sectoral policies—such as those related to population, infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection—remains weak. Sectoral documents often overlook spatial solutions, leading to conflicts in land use and resource allocation. Similarly, vertical coordination between national, regional, and local levels struggles with aligning priorities and ensuring cohesive policy implementation.

To enhance the integrated character of spatial planning, Serbia must prioritize harmonizing sectoral policies, strengthening regional planning capacities, and fostering intersectoral cooperation. Fully embracing the concepts of integrative geography would enable spatial planning to become a more effective tool for achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for people in the planned area—an ultimate goal of all spatial planning endeavors.