Journal of the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA - Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic"
Not a member yet
302 research outputs found
Sort by
HISTORICAL CHANGES IN THE AREA UNDER FOREST—ESTIMATION APPROACH BASED ON CARTOGRAPHIC RESOURCES
This paper analyzes changes in forested areas, as depicted in topographic maps, within the historical context of their publication in Serbia. The research focuses on the experimental field “Goč-Gvozdac” of the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Forestry, with additional reference to changes in Central Serbia. Changes were assessed across historical periods using four reference topographic maps: from 1893, 1929, 1971, and 1985. Data on shifts in forested areas (categorized as forest and other land) were obtained by vectorizing scanned analog maps using manual GIS editing tools. Additionally, currently available spatial data sets of land cover/use for 2021 were utilized for the analysis. The forest distribution across different geological formations was also evaluated. The results indicate a continuous increase in forested areas within the experimental field, rising from 77.6% in 1893 to 89.3% in 1985, and reaching 95.1% by 2021. The most significant increase occurred during the first reference period (1983–1929), while the smallest growth was observed in the last one. Data for Central Serbia also reveal a general upward trend in forested areas throughout the 20th century, consistent with findings from the experimental field. However, analyses in the 21st century indicate only minor changes in the forested area. The historical data on forest area changes provide valuable insights, enhancing our understanding of forest development and informing better forest management planning, organization, and activity implementation. This is significant for enhancing knowledge from educational and scientific research perspectives, as well as providing the foundation for forest management in preservation and qualitative improvement
MEASURING SPATIAL SEGREGATION OF ROMA NEIGHBORHOODS IN URBAN SETTLEMENTS: CASE STUDY OF RUSE, BULGARIA
Post-socialist European cities face many challenges, such as growing socioeconomic inequality, spatial polarization, and a lack of sustainability. The rise of Roma ghettoized quarters in the cities imperatively imposes comprehensive research on the origin, evolution, and significance of these areas in the urban fabric. These ghettoized neighborhoods deepen the social, economic, and spatial divisions between citizens and significantly influence urban development and policy. Adapting the model developed by Divyani Kohli and coauthors in 2012, this study proposes a modified conceptual framework and index for assessing the spatial segregation of Roma neighborhoods in Bulgaria, using the four Roma settlements in the city of Ruse as a case. It aims to facilitate the elaboration of effective policies for integrated and sustainable urban development. The research utilizes quantitative and qualitative methods, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and the analysis of normative documents, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS), to collect detailed spatiotemporal data on Roma neighborhoods and calculate an index reflecting their urban design. Applying the index to the case of Ruse, the Selemetya neighborhood emerges as the most distinct and segregated Roma neighborhood, while the other three neighborhoods exhibit features of partial segregation. Despite the fact that the level of spatial segregation of Roma neighborhoods can be measured based on various approaches and criteria, the suggested index, despite its shortcomings, can be considered appropriate, although not universal, and therefore, the local specifics of deprived areas should be taken into consideration
TRANSFORMING SLUMS INTO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATIONS ON THE COAST OF MAKASSAR CITY, INDONESIA
This study proposes a model for slum area development in Indonesia, focusing on the management of local potential and land suitability for tourism planning. Its main objectives are to identify local potentials in slum areas and to analyze land suitability for destination development. A quantitative descriptive approach was applied in this research, which was conducted in Tallo Village, Makassar City, selected for its comprehensive socio-economic, physical, and tourism-related data. Geographic mapping through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) aids the descriptive analysis. The findings suggest that the slum area in Tallo Village has strong potential to be developed into a community-based tourism destination with three key attractions: local cultural heritage, culinary experiences, and natural scenery. Integrating these elements could lead to the creation of a sustainable tourism destination that also enhances community welfare. The development model emphasizes strengthening local culture, culinary, and natural resources, aiming to positively impact the economy, boost local pride, and enhance the tourist experience. The analysis shows that the slum area is suitable for tourism development, with many parts falling into the suitable and very suitable categories. The study advocates for an integrative tourism development approach that incorporates environmental sustainability and local community involvement. It stresses that management practices that consider environmental carrying capacity and provide direct benefits to the local community are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of tourism in slum areas
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE, AND MODERATING EFFECTS OF PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL MOTIVES IN VIETNAM'S TOURISM INDUSTRY
On-the-job training (OJT) practices have often been viewed as an effective tool that improves the performance of both employees and the company in the competitive economy. Based on the human resource development theory, this article attempts to examine the potential effects of OJT practices on employee performance (EP) in association with the presence of the moderating role of personal motivation (PM) and organizational support (OS). The statistical result from the survey of 548 employees who worked for tourism companies in Vietnam showed all constructs and their attributed items to be reliable and valid for testing the formulated hypotheses. The findings obtained from the structural model confirmed a strong and positive relationship between the OJT practices and EP, particularly the higher perception of the content and program of the OJT practices verified. Additionally, the moderation analysis revealed that personal expectations and OS for the OJT content and method were found as the key drive of enhancing the performance of employees when joining the OJT. Besides, an OJT program was also found as a distinctive determinant of the EP, not being interfered by the two moderators included. Finally, some suggestions concerning the effectiveness of the OJT practices and potential aspects of this study area are addressed
WHAT FACTORS DO TOURISTS CONSIDER MOST IMPORTANT WHEN EVALUATING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURISM? THE FOCUS ON DEVELOPING ECONOMY
Tourism is a critical driver of economic growth in developing countries, where it often serves as a primary source of international revenue, job creation, and infrastructure development. Understanding the factors of tourism competitiveness is essential because it highlights the strengths and opportunities of a destination, helping it stand out in a competitive global market. By improving competitiveness, destinations can attract more visitors, promote sustainable economic development, and enhance the quality of life for local residents. Competitiveness in tourism also supports cultural preservation and environmental conservation, contributing to a balanced and resilient local economy. The objective of this study is to determine the main factors that impact the competitiveness of Serbia as a tourism destination, focusing specifically on tourists’ viewpoints. Through a comprehensive methodology, the research develops a tailored model for evaluating tourism destination competitiveness (TDC) in a developing economy context. The results highlight the significance of Serbia’s natural and cultural heritage, service quality, accessibility, technology, marketing, and sustainability as critical dimensions of its TDC. The study’s originality lies in its tourist-centered approach to TDC, which offers valuable recommendations for policymakers and destination management organizations (DMOs) in Serbia. This research adds to the existing literature by introducing an innovative, tourist-focused model that provides practical insights for improving tourism competitiveness in emerging markets
MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY IN WEST JAVA, INDONESIA: SPATIAL CLUSTERS AND DETERMINANTS
Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) for spatial analysis is crucial for examining, assessing, and visualizing the health status of different regions. There has been a high maternal and infant mortality rate in West Java, Indonesia, leading to a need for spatial information to support the government in planning healthcare. This study aims to examine and compare the geographic clusters between maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) utilizing tools in a GIS environment; it also aims to assess how those clusters relate to socioeconomic conditions. Data on mortalities and demography in 2020 were collected from the Department of Health Regional and Statistics Bureau. The Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot was applied for the IMR and MMR spatial clustering (low and high numbers—clusters). Further, the ordinary least square (OLS) was implemented to generate the correlation between MMR-IMR clusters and socioeconomic factors. Our results show that significantly low clusters of both MMR and IMR (with 95–99% confidence levels) were located close to urban and highly developed areas. The spatial pattern of hot and cold MMR clusters was similar to the IMR clusters (> 0.68). OLS models showed a high relationship between selected variables and IMR (R2 = 0.80), but low relationship with MMR (R2 = 0.20). A significant correlation was found between IMR and population density, income, and percentage of the population without education, while MMR was related to the number of health facilities. These findings illustrated the performed analysis capability to identify priority areas for maternal and childcare services
PROJECTED LAND USE LAND COVER DYNAMICS AND TOURISM SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT IN THE SELECTED KAZAKHSTAN AREA
This study presents a comprehensive assessment of land use land cover (LULC) dynamics and their influence on tourism development potential in the Konaev city (south eastern Kazakhstan) region, based on multi-temporal analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery for 2017, 2024, and a projected scenario for 2030. The findings reveal substantial landscape transformation driven by urban expansion and agricultural intensification – evidenced by a sharp decline in grasslands (from 53% to 35%) and wetlands (from 0.7% to 0.2%), and a significant increase in croplands (from 1% to 14%) and built-up areas (from 10% to 18%). A spatially weighted tourism suitability analysis identified three strategic development directions: ecotourism (39.2%), aquatic tourism (36.7%), and urban-cultural tourism (20.1%). While the region demonstrates high tourism potential, the ongoing degradation of natural ecosystems presents critical challenges to sustainability. These trends emphasize the urgent need for integrated land-use planning that aligns tourism growth with ecosystem preservation. The study concludes that sustainable tourism in the Konaev city requires a science-informed, multisectoral approach balancing environmental stewardship with infrastructure development and service quality enhancement. Such a framework can ensure resilient, diversified tourism growth and contribute meaningfully to regional economic and ecological sustainability
FUTURE RESEARCH TOPIC PROSPECT DEALING WITH THE “FLOOD SEVERITY” TERM: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Most recent flood prediction studies focus on the probability and frequency of a flood at a specific location or flood vulnerability prediction. However, their results often lack flood magnitude or severity information. Therefore, severity levels are highly imperative for further research in floods, such as their mapping and prediction. This study has involved various stages, such as developing the literature selection protocol in obtaining the expected papers, searching the literature by protocol implementations, and results interpretation. The search results were 537 articles; the selected rigorously peer-reviewed articles were then bibliometrically analyzed. The limited flood severity-related research was proven by the “severity” term detected in fewer than five terms. Recommendations of flood severity-related research can be categorized into seven clusters based on the term co-occurrences. Those clusters consist of: 1) urban flood, 2) flood disaster management, 3) adaptability and prediction, 4) land use and urban planning, 5) natech and mitigation, 6) climate change, and 7) ecosystem services and resilience. There is a research gap in geographical terms for several countries classified as the world’s top 10 at risk of flood, such as China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and others. The urgent prior research guidelines are to trigger further future research on flood severity levels. Future research recommendations will give better contribution and consideration to flood risk management rather than merely vulnerability zonation as they also imply the possible impacts of predicted floods
USE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO FORECAST FLOOD: EVIDENCE FROM RIVERINE FLOODPLAIN IN BANGLADESH
Traditional knowledge (TK) on disaster provides useful forecasting information for the hazard-prone communities. However, the documentation of TK is inadequate in the context of Bangladesh, putting it at risk of extinction. The goal of the study is to evaluate the ability of the people living near the river to forecast floods using their TK. This study collected data from the people living near the river in Bangladesh in 2019 using a questionnaire survey with 377 respondents and focus group discussions. The data from the questionnaire survey was assessed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Data analyses were performed in SPSS version 26. Respondents' awareness of TK to forecast floods in riverine contexts was classified into categories: weather phenomena, cloud formation, rainfall patterns, river behavior, and observing plants and animals’ behavior. This study revealed that 97.3% of respondents were aware of at least one cue to forecast flood hazards in their area. The findings suggested that the respondents' gender and profession significantly influenced their awareness of using TK to forecast floods by observing the behaviors of plants and animals. For the people living near the river, TK plays a crucial role as they reside in remote areas with inadequate national-level warning systems. These findings will contribute to the current discourse regarding the integration of TK in disaster management practices
ASSESSMENT OF BLACK ICE RISK LEVELS IN THE CITY CENTER OF ERZURUM (TURKEY) USING GEOSPATIAL DATA
Severe winter conditions, including extended snow cover and frequent frosty days, increase the risk of traffic accidents due to icing, leading to more accidents, even with injuries and fatalities. Erzurum (Eastern Anatolia Region, Turkey), with its harsh winters, stands out as a city requiring attention in this regard. The study focused on Erzurum city center, where the combination of winter weather conditions (October–April) and high traffic volume heightened the accident risk from icing in the period 2017–2022. Accident data from the General Directorate of Security of the Republic of Turkey and weather data from the General Directorate of Meteorology of the Republic of Turkey were analyzed, along with the area’s topographical characteristics (slope and aspect). The performed spatio-temporal analysis revealed that most accidents occurred in January (69 cases) and between 17:00 and 00:00 (136 cases). Accidents were linked to specific weather conditions: air temperatures between −11.7 and 0.6 °C, soil temperatures from −4.9 to −0.8 °C, wind intensity of 0 to 1.1 m/s, humidity levels between 81% and 100%, and cloudiness between 6 and 8.9. Hot Spot Analysis identified high-risk locations, including Saray Bosna Avenue, Atatürk Boulevard, and several major junctions. The study also suggested alternative systems to reduce accidents caused by icing on these routes