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Zagreb, the capital and the largest city of Croatia, addressed the frequent flooding from the Sava River to the south by 'jumping over' it to build a new part of the city, named New Zagreb, which is protected from floods with embankments. For several decades, urbanists and architects have proposed various solutions for the Sava River, and from time to time, political elites have implemented some proposals or elements of these. Nonetheless, Zagreb has never integrated the river into its urban fabric. At the same time, along the river, there are illegal rubbish dumps in the only protected natural area, and the institutions and local authorities ignore their existence and take no legal actions against the offenders. This paper presents a case study of the 'Zagreb on the Sava' project that used the most important determinants of sustainability as the criteria for the project review, with emphasis on sustainable urban planning and the sociocultural dimensions of sustainability through the prism of experts, ie planners and civil actors (UNDSD 2000). The results show, among other things, that the demands of civic actors (citizens and non-governmental organisations [NGOs]) and the everyday needs and practices of the local residents run counter to political decisions of the mayor and the rest of the local government. Both experts and citizens are powerless. This paper concludes that the unused and unacknowledged potential of the Sava River is important for the realisation of a sustainable city on a human scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several strong earthquakes hit Croatia in 2020. Such earthquakes, after a long absence of strong seismic activities in the country, in combination with material degradation, lack of maintenance and structures that were built before modern seismic regulations, culminated with extensive damage to the existing building stock. Existing unreinforced masonry (URM) structures are quite vulnerable to earthquakes, largely due to a lack of connectivity between structural parts. The numerous damaged buildings emphasize the need to preserve, restore and strengthen URM structures, especially the ones under heritage protection. The main focus of this paper is on the first step of the assessment process, which is to determine the mechanical properties of masonry. For that purpose, the flat-jack method is used. Through stress transfer from a flat-jack to the masonry useful information can be obtained. The results of the extensive post-earthquake flat-jack tests (single, double and shear) on 17 case studies in Croatia are presented. The results are critically discussed and the mechanical properties of brick masonry in Mediterranean Europe are presented. The goal of the present work is to increase the confidence level in the definition of mechanical properties and, thus, to favorably influence the necessary reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass façades are being increasingly applied in the typology of office buildings. The environmental quality parameters of indoor spaces have an exceptional influence on the wellbeing and productivity of users. In the past, climate defined the architecture of a particular area. Façades of contemporary office buildings have similar characteristics regardless of their location. This study comprises four office buildings with different types of glass façades located in areas of continental and coastal climate in Croatia. Also, the research relates to a graduate study course, during which the students designed a survey to gain insight into the satisfaction of users of the analyzed buildings. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of the design of glass façades in a certain climate context on users. This paper will address the following research questions: (1) Is a fully glazed office building pleasant to work in? (2) Is a fully glazed façade an appropriate solution for office buildings in hot and sunny climates? The research results show that to achieve a comfortable indoor environment for buildings' users, it is necessary to design the façade according to the orientation, especially in terms of glazing characteristics, a sun protection system, and window control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the dialectical relationship between queerness and homonormativity, the aim of this paper was to outline the spatial framework of pink consumption in Croatia. Since the LGBT community is a specific and sensitive social group, qualitative research methods were used. After calculating the gay index and determining that the city of Zagreb provides the most favourable spatial context for the study of pink consumption, the interview method was used to collect qualitative data. The sample was assembled using the snowball technique (N = 14). The research revealed that there are only few pink consumption places in Zagreb, that they are not even present in all consumption systems, and that they are located in the central part of the city without exception. Although it cannot be argued that they are completely homonormative places, evidence of social exclusivity and sexual conservativism was found. Thus, it has been shown that even fundamentally inclusive places can produce normativity, which deprives them of the potential to achieve equality and emancipation of the Zagreb's LGBT community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Croatia was struck by two catastrophic earthquakes, resulting in more than 50,000 damaged structures. The majority of these are masonry buildings, but there are a number of reinforced concrete structures that suffered moderate to extensive damage. In this paper, the seismic condition assessment and upgrading of existing RC structures are presented with a case study building in Zagreb. The assessment procedure includes initial visual inspection, rapid preliminary evaluation, detailed in situ measurements, and non- and semi-destructive methods. New technologies were applied and followed by numerical modeling and verifications. Strengthening proposals are made that respect owner needs and the needs for the energy retrofitting of the existing RC building. As the integrated approach should be respected in the renovation of existing buildings, this case study can represent an example of good practice in the process of seismic and energy retrofitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose. The Covid-19 pandemic confronted the world with an unprecedented health crisis and launched a media infodemic. The changes have occurred in the scientific communication system as well: an endless number of papers have been published, editorial process has been accelerated, research results have become available to the public prior to peer-review, etc. This paper aims to discuss the changes in public and scientific communication and to propose possible solutions for coping with the new information environment. Approach / methodology. The paper examines the concepts of infodemic, infodemiology, information and health literacy. Through a literature review, personal professional experience and examples from library practice, the authors seek to offer practical recommendations. Findings. An overabundance of information of questionable quality cause confusion and fear, leading to distrust in science, health authorities and the government. Strengthening the community's resistance to misleading and false information requires critical thinking, and increased level of information and health literacy. Libraries can play a significant role in all this, which is shown by practical example of the activities of the Central medical library (CML) of the University of Zagreb School of Medicine. Taking into account the literature review, professional expertise, and experiences gained in this period, the authors propose actions that key stakeholders in the pandemic information system (government, professional institutions, scientists and medical librarians) can take in order to contain the infodemic. Limitations. Examples of the active role of information professionals are based on a single library experience. This is the largest medical library in Croatia, which offers its users both traditional and advanced services, using all available means of communication. In addition, the CML accepted the current crisis as an opportunity for development, expert assessment of new information sources, active cooperation with the parent institution and the Ministry of Health, scientific work but also an outreach towards the community, so it serves as a good example of implementing recommendations into practice. Practical and social applications. The paper provides practical guidelines for health authorities, professional institutions, scientists and medical librarians for coping with the new communication environment. The pandemic affected all aspects of human activities, and containing the infodemic is of particular social importance. Originality / value. The literature review on infodemic, information and health literacy is supplemented by the local context features and practical experiences and recommendations of medical librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Natura Croatica is the property of Natura Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Natura Croatica is the property of Natura Croatica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Sociology & Space / Sociologija i Prostor is the property of Institut za drustvena istrazivanja u Zagrebu (Institute for Social Research of Zagreb) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dela is the property of University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Philosophy / Univerza v Ljubljani, Filozofska Fakulteta and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall has been the centre of music and cultural life in Zagreb and Croatia for more than 45 years. It was the first concert venue in the country after the building of the Croatian Music Institute, which opened in 1876. Alongside the existing editions and relevant papers about the Lisinski Hall, this article presents a historical overview of the concert venues in Zagreb in comparison with the development of musical life in former Yugoslavia and other countries. Building on the existing literature, periodical articles and especially archival sources, the article also chronologically traces the process of the building's construction, from the initial concept and the selection of the location through the Conceptual Design Competition for the Croatia heritage foundation in 1957, to the choosing of the hall's name and the two-day gala opening on December 29 and 30, 1973. Finally, a contemporary perspective on the Lisinski Hall is presented and its significance for the musical and cultural life in Zagreb and Croatia addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Croatica is the property of Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Sociology & Space / Sociologija i Prostor is the property of Institut za drustvena istrazivanja u Zagrebu (Institute for Social Research of Zagreb) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Ostmitteleuropa-Forschung is the property of Herder Institut e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Author-supplied Abstracts.)

Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphometric analysis of Holocene pebbles from Sava River gravel in NW Croatia revealed shape distributions as observed along a 30 km long watercourse. Limestones, dolomites, and sandstones were identified as the major (>4%) and effusive magmatics in this alluvial aquifer system in Zagreb, with cherts and tuffs as minor pebble lithologies (up to 4%). Their distributions mainly indicate distant Alpine provenance for carbonate pebbles (limestone and dolomite) and local input for sandstones and minor lithotypes, laterally from the Samoborska Gora and Medvednica mountain. Carbonates are predominantly disc- and sphere-shaped, implying distant sources. Scattered distributions of pebble shapes (sphere, disc, blade, and rod) for sandstones and minor lithotypes possibly indicate multiple sources, some of them probably local. The tentatively interpreted "original sedimentary environments" for the main pebble lithotypes (calculated from their flatness ratios) possibly indicate that they are predominantly lake beach pebbles, followed by moraine and riverbed pebbles. However, these results should be strongly questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]