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Alternative food networks have been developing in Croatia over the last ten years, following the example of similar global initiatives. By directly connecting consumers with producers, middlemen are bypassed and short food supply chains are created. This paper focuses on the development of local food systems that have emerged as a result of cooperation between groups of solidary exchange (Grupe solidarne razmjene or GSR for short) and organic farmers. The research is based on qualitative methodology, i.e. semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. A total of 15 interviews with organic food producers were conducted over the last two years (2017-2019). This research shows that cooperation with GSRs, i.e. distribution of products through short food supply chains, has had a series of advantages for producers. GSRs represent a good market for organic products and guarantee fair and stable prices, immediate (or even advance) payment upon delivery of products, and greater autonomy for producers. In addition to its financial advantages, this is a system that fosters social ties and relationships with consumers, in which producers feel appreciated, respected, and supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines continuity of transit tourism economic importance and changes impact on Gorski kotar development. Aim of the paper is to consider causes of changes in economy importance of transit tourism in Gorski kotar and to examine spatial consequences of those changes. The study is based on empirical and field mapping method and the research interview. Method of analysis and statistical methods are used in part where paper discusses tourist traffic. Four development periods and meanings of transit tourism in Gorski kotar can be distinguished. The first period is associated with the development carriages traffic on Karolina (1732) and Lujzijana road (1811). In this first period transit tourism has raised basic infrastructure and had a great influence on the settlement of Gorski kotar. In the second period a railroad Zagreb-Karlovac-Rijeka became a major transit route, which was opened in 1875. Railway proved to be more successful than roads in overcoming the temporal and spatial barriers so it took over the transportation of passengers from the roads. From the transit tourism in railways the greatest economic benefit had a transportation company that raised supporting service facilities at railway stations. The development of the third period was influenced by all the massive car traffic and the renewed importance Louisiana road transport. This period occurred at 1960-ties and began to weaken after the diversion of traffic on the route of the Bosiljevo-Rijeka in year 2003. The first and second period of transit tourism in Gorski kotar had a secondary economic importance and at the end of the third period, has become the leading branch of the local economy. The latest changes which were conceived by the fourth period, are taking place without any planning grounds and transit tourism has lost their economic significance as it had earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews development of digital landslide databases in various countries and in Croatia. Countries that were chosen are those endangered by slope processes and/or those that have landslide databases established and available for review (e.g. Japan, China, New Zealand). The paper shows parameters used in the databases (in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia) and categories recommended for landslide inventory and database development at the global level. Terminology important in research and evaluation of landslide susceptibility, hazard, and risk is also reviewed. The availability of landslide data in Croatia is shown using the example of Rijeka area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the stagnation of a tourist destination taking the example of Pula, Istria's largest urban economic centre. The paper aims to explore the causes of stagnation as one of the stages within the life cycle of a tourist destination and suggest measures for revitalization of tourism and the attraction basis that the tourism development has been based upon. The most intensive tourism development had been recorded from 1981 to 1990, and was interrupted by the Homeland War and post-war reconstruction. Compared to the pre-war period, the number of beds in the city decreased by 14% from 2001 to 2010, the number of tourists decreased by 18% and there were 42% less overnight stays. Pula is not a typical example of a destination going through a stagnation stage, as its stagnation had not been caused by surpassing the capacity of the attraction basis or accommodation facilities. The most important causes of stagnation have been the decrease in the number of tourists from states created after the dissolution of Yugoslavia, development of neighbouring destinations, neglect of its real attraction basis, decrease in quality and the shutting down of accommodation facilities. Measures fortourism revitalization would include revalorization of the existing segment of the attraction basis, which would include stronger development of cultural tourism products, tourism valorisation of military facilities and former military terrains, enabling Pula to gain more affirmation as a tourist destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with spatial analysis of catchment areas of the public primary schools in the City of Zagreb. Spatial analysis was based on data gathered from city administration bodies and the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. These data were collected in a database, i.e. mapped, processed, and visualised using GIS applications. This paper shows that catchment areas defined by the Decree on Primary Schools Network in the Area of the City of Zagreb in 2007 cross borders of City districts, statistical settlements, borders between counties, and are discontinuous and intertwined. A significant amount of house numbers, pertaining to specific catchment areas, extends beyond the 600 meters recommended by the City General Urban Plan. It was found that average and maximum distances of pertaining house numbers from primary schools also extend beyond the 600 meters. Buffers made based on primary school addresses and overlaid with land use data layers in the City of Zagreb indicate the quality of school surroundings and potential threats in their neighbourhoods. Analysis showed significant differences of land use in school surroundings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the results of a quality-of-life research project in the City of Rijeka. The first part presents a deconstruction of the concept into domains and sub-domains that were chosen to represent the quality-of-life concept in this research. The second part is devoted to the analysis of the subjective quality-of-life experience of the inhabitants living in five chosen city neighbourhoods and the evaluation of the objective features of their immediate living space. The following neighbourhoods were chosen: Belveder/Brajda-Dolac, Pećine, Pehlin, Orehovica and Pašac. Results discussed in the paper show significant variations existing in the satisfaction with life domains between respondents living in those five neighbourhoods. According to the analysis, respondents from Belveder/Brajda-Dolac show the lowest average levels of satisfaction with three domains: transport and infrastructure, natural environment and neighbourhood safety. On the other hand, those respondents are significantly more satisfied with the accessibility of services and facilities than all the other respondents. Contrary to them are the respondents from two neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city, namely Pašac and Orehovica, who are significantly more satisfied than all the other respondents with the domain of natural environment, but the least satisfied on average with the accessibility of services and facilities important for the everyday quality of life in the city. Domains and sub-domains that the respondents in different neighbourhoods are the least satisfied with represent those aspects that need special attention and work on the improvement of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the morphological structure of an area (morphogenesis) is the outcome of numerous interconnected natural, social (anthropogenic, socio-geographical) and perceptive factors. These factors are visibly reflected in the morphology of an area in some way, so they can be read from it. Certain socio-graphical factors (and their changes) that have influenced the design and physiognomy of the current morphological structure of Dubrava are emphasized in this paper. Dubrava is the boundary area situated on the eastern outskirts of Zagreb. Its functional, demographical and morphological features, as well as the development of those features, have many similarities with those in other edging parts of the town, but on the other hand, Dubrava is characterized by processes and phenomena that are more pronounced in Dubrava than elsewhere in the town. Since the Middle Ages, especially over the period of the last eighty years or so, during which the so-called "narrow" centre of Dubrava has appeared and spread, specific dual morphological structure has been formed. This structure consists of both dispersed villages in the northern, north-eastern and south-eastern parts of Dubrava, whose nucleus originated in the Medieval period, and the area of recent development of "narrow" Dubrava with compactly constructed urban tissue. However, regarding the physiognomic-morphological implications, the latter is not homogenous as well -- there are clearly visible areas of the planned and the areas of unplanned, illegal construction. The aims of this paper are: to offer systematic overview and classification of factors that effect the morphogenesis of a certain area, and, by using diachronical analysis, description, and the comparative method as well as the cartographic technique (the working method of research, to explain how some socio-geographical factors (historical development, administrative and territorial division, planning and building regulations) have influenced the appearance and the development of the heterogeneous morphological structure of Dubrava. The example of the morphogenesis of "narrow" Dubrava indicates the interdependence of the analyzed factors. It also points out the early appearance of unplanned construction -- the phenomenon that is widespread in such a manner that it makes Dubrava one of the most unordered parts of Zagreb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the achievements in the Geography of Croatia among 8th Grade Elementary School pupils, and the final grades at comprehensive schools and four-year vocational schools. The results of the external evaluation exams were compared through the two dimensional matrix: elementary school - secondary school, 2008 - 1988. At the end of primary education, the average level of pupils' achievements on the geographical position, natural-geographic and socio-economic characteristics of the Republic of Croatia was 49.1% and 47.9% at the end of the Secondary education. The realized level of achievements that was by 1.2% lower at the end of the Secondary education is not statistically significant but, in relation to the selected sample and the expected cumulative impact of learning and teaching, the result is too low. The paper analyses results for the comprehensive completely comparable test items and confirms the notion that there is no cumulative effect, and that no progress in the level of achievements is made by using the new teaching curriculum. The paper also presents the result of researches conducted in 1988, 2003 and 2008 on pupils' opinions on Geography as a subject in Elementary school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the author researches the possible application of statistical-mathematical indicators such as the regional factor, index of specialization and centre of mass - indicators that are not usually applied in research in the field of tourism geography. These indicators are applied in analysis of the basic data of tourism development: number of tourist arrivals, number of international tourist arrivals by country of origin, and number of tourist beds. This methodological approach is applied in analysis of the geographic characteristics of the most important Central Dalmatian islands: Brač, Hvar, Šolta and Vis. The comparison of this tourist development data has been made for 1988 and 2008, the final points of the period during which Croatian tourism, including the Central Dalmatian islands, had experienced significant changes. This paper also presents the dynamics of tourism development during the same period, along with the processes of polarization in tourism development of the four islands. An analysis of the processes of concentration, centralization, decentralization and polycentric tourism development is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the study of changes in the composition of the population of Vukovar-Syrmia County in the period from 1961 to 2011. The changes in the composition of the population with regard to age and gender, as well as the ageing of the population, are being thoroughly analysed. One chapter deals with analytical indicators of the age composition of the population and gives a standardization of the age composition to the level of settlements. Vukovar-Syrmia County is compared with the Republic of Croatia, and changes in the demographic composition of urban and other settlements in the county are analysed. Causes, consequences and characteristics of the changes that have occurred in this fifty-year-period are reviewed and analysed. It is concluded that an early and rapid demographic and general socio-economic recovery of this part of Croatia is not possible without an increase in the birth rate (which should encourage rejuvenation of the age composition), immigration of population, the development of the economy and employment of young people in order to stop their massive emigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ilova River catchment in Central Croatia is under significant human impact as a result of extensive river training works, construction of canals and fish farms. The consequences of building these hydrotechnical structures and river training works on the hydromorphology of streams in the Ilova catchment have not been investigated to date. Following a historical overview of the significant water works, this paper depicts the results of an assessment of morphological features of streams in the Ilova catchment pursuant to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirements and Croatian Waters' Methodology for monitoring and assessment of hydromorphological features. A total length of 534 km of streams was analysed, which led to the delineation of 48 water bodies for which the morphological condition was evaluated. In the Ilova River catchment, 38.5% of the total watercourse length, respectively twenty-one water bodies, did not meet WFD objectives as they were classified as moderate, poor or bad with respect to morphological condition. The results showing that not only those water bodies within and around settlements but also remote water bodies have a failing morphological status is a matter of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the study of changes in the composition according to age of the population of Croatia over three decades (1981 - 2011). Consideration is given to the causes and characteristics of demographic ageing and they are compared with European countries. The degree of population old age is analysed in detail and spatial differentiation is made of the basic features of that process (to the level of the local district/town); emphasis is placed on the current situation (in keeping with 2011 Census data). A projection of the process in question up until 2031 is submitted (the trend in the total number of the population and changes in its composition according to age group and degree of ageing). One of the chapters analyses the consequences of the ageing of the population and endeavours to answer the question of how to mitigate such consequences and to impede this destructive process. It is concluded that far reaching solutions should be sought primarily in increasing fertility, by which gradual rejuvenation of the population's age composition could be stimulated. The second group of measures relates to immigration, and the third to increasing the employment rate of young people in order to halt their mass emigration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three pan-European transport corridors pass through the Osijek region. Corridor X goes in the Salzburg-Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade-Skopje-Salonika direction. Corridor Vc (a branch of the corridor V) connects Budapest, Osijek, Sarajevo and Ploče. Corridor VII is represented by the River Danube. Starting from the fact that the transport corridors play a prominent role in connecting places and stimulating development, this paper firstly deals with the stage of their valorisation in the framework of the Osijek region and wider. It analyses the condition of the communications and terminals on the corridor routes and, accordingly, organisation of the connections and development trends of the transport courses. After 15 years of existence the corridors are unevenly and insufficiently valorised. In spite of that, their effects are significant. The corridors have raised the importance of Osijek as a multimodal junction and polarization centre. They have also influenced the spatio-functional development of the Osijek urban agglomeration. The other four centres in the corridors - Vinkovci, Vukovar, Đakovo and Županja - have reinforced their transport and central functions and, together with central Osijek, have become the framework of the region's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with spatial differences in precipitation variability in Central Croatia. Precipitation variability is analysed for 8 meteorological stations for which data for the 1950-2007 period are available. All the researched stations have a continental pluviometric regime. The annual values of mean relative variability in the studied area have relatively small range. The precipitation variability maximum occurs in Autumn at most of the stations, and the minimum in Spring. The annual course of precipitation variability is characterised, at all stations, by a maximum in October. The secondary maximum of precipitation variability occurs in January or February. The primary minimum of precipitation variability is in June at all stations apart from Sisak, where the minimum is in April. The secondary minimum is in March or April. There are spatial differences in precipitation variability, although not particularly pronounced, especially in the March till July period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Town of Vukovar suffered heavy destruction during Serbian military aggression in the 1990s. The paper shows and explains in brief the basic post-war development challenges (obstacles, difficulties and possibilities) of the Town of Vukovar (Croatia). Overviews are presented based upon the relevant statistical, demographic and other documentation and literature, the human and demographic losses, as well as the material damage. In accordance with the "balance" of the consequences of the Croatian Homeland War and recent development documents, the basic obstacle factors of the post-war development and progress of Vukovar are identified and comprehended. The most important demographic indicators are explained. For a number of reasons, they are one of the key negative elements in the development of the Town of Vukovar. The current unfavourable demographic situation tends to further deterioration in the future and is having a negative general influence on the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes dynamic and structural characteristics and spatial distribution of population in the Krapina-Zagorje County. The main aim is to identify and evaluate demographic resources and potentials and the influence of demographic resources on primary education organization. The demographic resources index was applied for identification and evaluation of demographic resources and potentials, and the typology on the administrative level of settlement and the primary schools' enrolment area has been developed. A spatial differentiation of structural and dynamic population characteristics of the researched area in the contemporary period has been determined. According to 2001 Census data, 59.3% of all settlements have extremely weak demographic resources and have no human potential for future demographic and economic development. Total population number projections and the first 2011 Census results have shown that the depopulation will continue and that demographic extinction will be the fundamental determinants of future population development. Negative demographic development over the years has contributed to the decrease in total human potential in the County, as well as to the decrease in the number of pupils in classes and in the number of classes, which implies changes in the number and status of primary school units. The utilization and encumbrance of the human potential in geography teaching will change under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the impact of natural hazards on spatial vulnerability, and seeks to assess the degree of potential risk from natural hazards to the Kvarner area, one of most important tourist region of the Republic of Croatia. The northern parts of the Kvarner area are located in a seismotectonically active area, in which destructive earthquakes have struck in the past and can be expected to strike again, although it is impossible to predict when, where and with what intensity. Special attention is focused on various types of hazards brought about by climate change that are taking place today and are estimated to accelerate throughout the broader region, the Kvarner area included. The expected primary effects of climate change will be seen in rising sea levels and in the increased intensity and frequency of stormy weather. Such phenomena may occur independently or may interact resulting in higher risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses eighth-grade pupil achievements in the external evaluation exam in the domain of General Geography in the 2007/2008 school year. The study was conducted on a sample of 500 randomly selected tests. The results were compared with the results of the school pupil population that attended the external evaluation exam (21 485 eighth-grade pupils). The objectives of the research were to determine the level of achievement in basic geographic knowledge and skills at the end of compulsory education, the comparison of achievements in the domain of General Geography with the achievements in Geography of Europe and Geography of Croatia domains, and to carry out quantitative analysis of the results of specific test particles in the domain of General Geography according to knowledge dimensions and type of tasks. The level of pupil achievement in the General Geography domain is not satisfactory, because the percentage of test particles solvability is 40%. Achievements in the General Geography domain are lower in comparison with the Geography of Europe domain by 1.9 percentage points, and to the Geography of Croatia domain by 9.1 percentage points. The results achieved in testing the knowledge of facts in the domain of General Geography (71.7%) were significantly better than the results of conceptual (41.4%) and procedural knowledge (31.3%), as were the results in closed-ended tasks (59.8%) in comparison with the results of the semi closed-ended tasks (39.8%) and open-ended tasks (27.8%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to work out a synthetic indicator, which would help in identification, evaluation and comparison of demographic resources. The secondary aim is to form a spatial unit typology in the Republic of Croatia according to the synthetic indicator's value. The synthetic indicator has been named demographic resources index (ider ). It consists of two basic components: demographic index (idem ) and education index (io ). Population size is included in the calculation, specifically as a corrective in the form of a coefficient (k). The first index-component consists of eleven variables. It includes a general direction of demographic changes in the past period, the most important indicators of demographic potential and the synthetic indicator of the population natural change and age structure. The second index-component consists of four variables. It includes the characteristics of the population's attained level of education, as well as indications of the most educated contingent's future proportions. Based on the obtained values of the synthetic indicator, a typology of Croatian territorial units has been formed with six types of demographic resources, and their basic characteristics have been determined. The synthetic indicator of demographic resources has turned out to be relevant and applicable on all levels of Croatian territorial units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aspect of spatial segregation of the Roma population has not been considered until now as part of the variety of planned actions towards achieving the goal of better integration of the Roma national minority in Croatian society. This paper analyzes spatial segregation of the Roma population in Medimurje County, providing results that could contribute to a better understanding of the spatial structure in which the Roma population participate. The results of quantitative indicators suggest a high level of segregation of the Roma minority on the local scale in Medimurje, while it is not so obvious on the county scale. At the County level, Roma people are settled in many municipalities. Segregation is more obvious on the local scale, where Roma people live largely in nationally homogeneous settlements, or with parts of the settlements spatially separated from the rest of the local population. Successful integration of the Roma minority depends on future actions taken, aiming at minimizing spatial segregation, which is closely connected to other segregational aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the population potential of the Krapina-Zagorje County on the administrative level of towns/municipalities. The analysis is based on selected demographic indicators and variables, with population potential being represented by the demographic resources index. The results of the population potential analysis indicate the spatial disparity of the Krapina-Zagorje County. Unfavourable demographic development, primarily strong depopulation and ageing, have led to the weakening of the demographic base to a large extent and to the decreasing of the total population potential in the County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the changes in spatial distribution of work places, i.e. employment and unemployment, which appeared in the Sisak region as the consequence of the war (1991-1995) and transition restructuring of economy. Employment and unemployment in the period 1989-2007 have been mainly analyzed according to the areas of the former municipalities with making efforts to single Out those which were economically more propulsive, as well as those in which great developmental problems appeared. A special attention was paid to the decrease of the industrial production volume accompanied by continued dismissals of industrial workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the changes in the regional development of Lika after the construction of the motorway in 2004. The motorway better integrated Lika into the traffic system of Croatia, influenced new intraregional relations, created conditions for greater employment, opening of entrepreneurial zones and quicker development of tourism, small industry and agriculture. The new road has actualized the question of this area's further development and its position in the Croatia's regional structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with regional characteristics of birth rates in Croatia on different territorial levels: from individual townships and municipalities to counties and larger areas, such as Pannonian and Karst regions (further divided into the islands, the seashore and the inland). The analysis is based on the average birth rates for a three-year period (2001-2003). In order to eliminate the influence of differences in the age composition of population, standardized birth rates are being calculated. Entire female population of Croatia has been chosen for standard population. In all counties and larger regional entities the process of regional homogenization at low birth rates level is prominent. However, a certain polarization of birth rates in hypothetical conditions of a standardized age composition was determined. One pole is located in Bukovica and Dalmatinska Zagora - the area of hypothetically the highest fertility, and the other one is in Istria and around Rijeka - the area of hypothetically the lowest fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identity is a group of characteristics which determine the distinctiveness of an individual or a group in terms of differences from or affiliation with other individuals or groups; accordingly, it follows that to identify oneself means to (self)determine the self. Whereas space is an essential formational element in the process of shaping identity, particularly national, regional and local, it is of interest to geographers and is mostly pursued by political and cultural geographers. This paper presents a model of geographical research of identity manifest in the names of streets and squares in nine towns of the North Croatian Littoral. It has three main objectives: to corroborate the fact that identity in the urban landscape can be observed through quantitative (statistical-mathematical) and qualitative (interpretative) semantic analysis of street and square names; then to establish the difference in the presence of hodonyms which reflect regional identity (the so-called regional hodonyms), and those which reflect national identity (the so called national hodonyms) in Kvarner and Istria; and finally to examine the level of prominence of the Italian influence in the urban toponymy of Istria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last inter-census period, between 1991 and 2001, Rijeka recorded population decrease for the first time after World War II as the result of negative natural movement and negative net migration. At the same time the number of inhabitants in the suburban region increased owing exactly to in-migration. Besides migration characteristics analysis of the population of the city and its suburban region based on the data of previous censuses, especially on that in 2001, basic results of the empirical research conducted in 2006 by the way of questionnaire method on the sample of 411 respondents in four settlements in the Rijeka suburban region are presented in the paper. The analysis of respondents' replies to four questions regarding reasons for out-migration from their previous place of residence and settling in the Rijeka suburban region settlements points to solving housing problem as the main push factor of out-migration and main pull factor of in-migration to suburbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses variability of precipitation in Osijek in three periods of thirty years, starting from the year 1901 till 1990. In period from 1931 till 1990 primary maximum of precipitation was in summer (June), and secondary maximum was in autumn (November). Primary minimum of precipitation was at the end of winter (March), and secondary minimum was in autumn (September). In researched period total amount of precipitation decreased, same as average relative variability. Largest decrease was in autumn (October). Average relative variability in researched period has also decreased. Minimum of variability was in June, a month with maximum precipitation and maximum of variability was in October, although the minimum of precipitation was in March. One of the reasons for maximum variability in October is a significant decrease of precipitation amount in that month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ðurovića cave is located at the Airport Dubrovnik in Čilipi. Due to the interest of the Airport management for its touristic use, the cave was the object of various researches with purpose of determing its characteristics, suitability for a show cave and making of management plan. During geomorphological research their speleomorphological characteristics were determined. Besides that, the paper deals with the basic geomorphological characteristic of the surrounding karst plateau surface intensivly changed by human activities which also have influence on the cave. Hydrological characteristics are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper discusses suburbanization and quality of life in Bistra municipality in western part of Zagreb socio-economic region. Research is primarily based on questionnaire survey (systematic random sample). Main indicators are advantages, disadvantages and future development of municipality as seen by local population. Results have shown that Bistra municipality is representative example of suburbanization in Zagreb green belt. Residential suburbanization, dynamic demographic growth during 1990's and strong dependency on Zagreb have been recognized as main trends. Local population perceives unspoilt environment as the single most important quality of life in their municipality. Lack and inadequacy of communal infrastructure is considered to be the main disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]