This paper has two objectives. The first is to present the demographic development of the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the territory of present-day Slovenia. The second objective is to identify the discrepancy between the number of permanently registered residents in the town and the number of people who actually reside or live there. The number of people actually residing in Piran is significantly lower than the number of permanently registered residents, as official statistical data do not reflect the city’s real demographic situation. The discrepancy has increased in recent decades, mainly due to the growth of secondary residences. Despite a formally stable population size, Piran is facing a long-term process of depopulation.
The Upper Vipava Valley holds exceptional potential to develop into an exclusive tourist destination, thanks to its natural assets, which are only now beginning to be fully recognised. Currently in the early stages of tourism development, the region is shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly practices, bringing both challenges and numerous opportunities. Over the past decade, the area has undergone noticeable changes, driven by increased tourism activity and the effects of climate change. The Upper Vipava Valley has evolved from a visually less attractive destination into a sophisticated and appealing nexus of viticulture, gastronomy and outdoor recreation. This initial phase of tourist development is critical: the Upper Vipava Valley can either advance to a high-end tourist centre or remain in the limited and unrealised stages of its tourism potential.
The “Smart Village” concept was officially defined in 2017 to alleviate and improve the economic and social situation in rural areas. Like many other rural areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the village of Goranci has faced significant economic and social challenges since the mid-20th century. The research objective is to examine the local population’s attitudes toward applying the Smart Village concept in the Goranci area. The research results indicate dissatisfaction among the local community with the level of economic development, especially considering the area’s potential. At the same time, the analysis shows a strong correlation and a positive influence of the local population on the introduction of digital infrastructure and the potential implementation of the Smart Village concept. Furthermore, based on field research and an analysis of positive examples of good practice, the authors propose a potential model for applying the Smart Village concept in Goranci.
The paper provides an analysis of the application of the simulation method in Geography education at the primary school level. Following a theoretical overview of the method’s development and a discussion of its advantages and limitations, the study considers its potential within current classroom implementation of the Croatian Geography Curriculum. The central part of the paper presents examples of good practice through classroom simulations of sessions of international organizations (the European Commission and the United Nations Security Council), conducted by the author in May 2024 and 2025 in two primary schools. In total, 12 simulations were conducted across six seventh-grade and six eighth-grade classes, involving 78 students. The evaluation results show that 57% of students achieved the grade excellent (A), 32% very good (B), and 21% good (C), with only one student receiving a passing grade (D). The analysis highlights students’ high motivation, the development of communication and negotiation skills, and their perceptions that experiential learning facilitated more meaningful knowledge acquisition. The method also enables teachers to gain a more comprehensive insight into students’ competencies, while enriching teaching by linking geographical content with civic education and cross-curricular themes.
Cancer poses a significant burden on society, the economy, and the healthcare system; therefore, screening and early detection are crucial for reducing its impact. This paper examines differences in screening coverage in the DORA programme and participation in the Svit programme according to the level of municipal development, based on publicly available data from the National Institute of Public Health. We found that highly developed municipalities have significantly higher screening coverage in the DORA programme and higher participation in the Svit programme compared with less and moderately developed municipalities, while no statistically significant differences were observed between moderately and highly developed municipalities. The results highlight the role and importance of municipal development in preventive healthcare, indicating the need to reduce disparities in development between less and highly developed municipalities.
The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) was introduced to enhance EU’s capacity for agricultural innovation by bridging the gap between research and practise. This paper explores the implementation of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) in Slovenia, focusing on their spatial distribution, stakeholder networks and thematic priorities. Findings indicate multi-actor participation. However, farmers often take on a passive role in innovation processes and a linear knowledge transfer model persists. Strengthening their position as co-creators of innovations could improve its applicability and long-term impact. Environmental sustainability and climate adaptation are a key thematic priority, but project selection remains administratively driven rather than reflecting bottom-up stakeholder needs. A higher concentration is found in the Eastern Cohesion Region and Central Slovenia, likely due to agriculture’s role, farm density, as well as support networks, including agricultural educational and research institutions and advisory services.
As a form of direct engagement with the subject of geographical study—the landscape—field work holds significant importance both in research and educational contexts. This applies to geographical research, academic study of geography, and across various educational levels. This article defines the broader educational contexts of geographical field work, presenting its prevalence in primary, secondary, and tertiary geographical education in Slovenia. Drawing on empirical research into the actual curriculum, it describes geography teachers' perceptions of field work, its benefits, challenges in implementation within the (geographical) educational process, and other practical considerations of its execution.
Measuring quality of life encompasses various dimensions, including individual perceptions and societal values. The Erasmus+ project Alpine Compass focuses on the quality of life for young people in the Alps, comparing their needs and challenges in France, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Slovenia through studies and interviews. This article combines literature analysis with interview opinions to identify new quality-of-life indicators. Quality of life is multifaceted, involving material conditions and subjective perceptions. Key results include the importance of a healthy environment, sustainable mobility, cultural offerings, mental health, and the impact of climate change on the future.
Small towns are long-term stable elements of the urban network with established residential and service roles. Geographical research has often neglected them, and accordingly, certain conceptual issues require clarification. However, particularly in countries with low urbanisation, small towns play a significant role in the transformation and modernisation of rural areas. Nevertheless, the increasingly global scale of economic and social processes poses a considerable challenge to their traditional functions, reshaping their development framework. In this evolving context, the flexible adaptive capacity of small towns – defined as resilinece – becomes crucial. Alongside addressing globalisation challenges, this study outlines a cognitive resilience model that could also serve as the basis for a new planning practice.
Urbanization, rising incomes, and lifestyle changes are major drivers of municipal solid waste generation, especially in developing countries. Asmara, Eritrea, faces significant waste management challenges, particularly due to a large, disorganized open dumping site at Betghiorghish. This site lacks a proper recycling strategy and threatens local biodiversity. A study was conducted to evaluate the types and amounts of waste generated in Asmara, using primary data collected from various economic groups through questionnaires. Study found a positive correlation between urbanization and waste generation. Moreover, different economic strata have different amount and nature of waste. There is report of increasing amount of non-biodegradable waste among the higher income people/region. An integrated sustainable planning is needed to manage the municipal waste.
Small towns constitute a vital component of the local economy. However, they currently face numerous challenges related to demographic trends, urban investments, and the availability of local products. The town of Chojnice in Poland was selected as a case study for the research on the development factors of small towns and their by-products. Methods such as SWOT analysis were applied to assess development factors and local products, while the role of resources in creating by-products was also evaluated. The results indicate that Chojnice is experiencing a demographic crisis, while its unique geographical location presents both an advantage and a disadvantage.
This paper examines the vital role of smaller towns in Algeria’s urbanization, highlighting their influence on national and regional dynamics. As Algeria reflects global urbanization trends, disparities remain between the north and south. Smaller towns—urban centers with populations of 5,000 to 50,000—serve as key links between rural and urban areas, facilitating trade, services, and regional integration. Using census and economic data, the study employs quantitative analysis to evaluate their functions. Despite financial and administrative hurdles, these towns are crucial for promoting regional balance and easing urban concentration. The paper advocates policies to enhance infrastructure, economic opportunities, and services in small towns, emphasizing their significance for sustainable development and for reducing spatial inequalities in Algeria’s growing urban landscape.
Understanding paleo-climate changes on Earth is crucial for the development of global climate models that predict the climate of the 21st century, while these changes also serve as an important driver of recent biodiversity patterns. In this paper, we use Change Vector Analysis (CVA) to examine changes in average annual air temperature and precipitation in Europe, based on the PaleoClim and CHELSA databases, from the Pliocene to the end of the 21st century. We focus on regional similarities and differences in the magnitude and direction of changes. The results highlight the natural dynamics of the climate and serve as a calibration for future change forecasts, which form the basis for current and future adaptation strategies in Europe.
As a form of direct engagement with the subject of geographical study—the landscape—field work holds significant importance both in research and educational contexts. This applies to geographical research, academic study of geography, and across various educational levels. This article defines the broader educational contexts of geographical field work, presenting its prevalence in primary, secondary, and tertiary geographical education in Slovenia. Drawing on empirical research into the actual curriculum, it describes geography teachers' perceptions of field work, its benefits, challenges in implementation within the (geographical) educational process, and other practical considerations of its execution.
Doukkala, located in central Morocco, features diverse rural architecture shaped by nine tribes according to local resources and traditions. This article explores the transition from traditional to modern housing, highlighting differences in form, construction methods, materials, and functions, as well as challenges faced by rural dwellings. It also examines state efforts to preserve and valorize traditional housing as cultural heritage. The study applies a descriptive and historical approach, combining field research, scientific literature, and terrain observation using ArcGIS and satellite imagery to analyze rural housing typologies in the Doukkala region.
The European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) was introduced to enhance EU’s capacity for agricultural innovation by bridging the gap between research and practise. This paper explores the implementation of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) in Slovenia, focusing on their spatial distribution, stakeholder networks and thematic priorities. Findings indicate multi-actor participation. However, farmers often take on a passive role in innovation processes and a linear knowledge transfer model persists. Strengthening their position as co-creators of innovations could improve its applicability and long-term impact. Environmental sustainability and climate adaptation are a key thematic priority, but project selection remains administratively driven rather than reflecting bottom-up stakeholder needs. A higher concentration is found in the Eastern Cohesion Region and Central Slovenia, likely due to agriculture’s role, farm density, as well as support networks, including agricultural educational and research institutions and advisory services.
Serbian territorial policies actively supported small towns during the socialist period, fostering growth. However, the post-socialist transition brought socio-political changes, economic restructuring, and widespread depopulation. Subsequent territorial policies have largely neglected the development of small towns, resulting in urban shrinkage across much of the country. This paper examines the developmental challenges facing small towns in Serbia, focusing on their current position within national spatial policy and planning framework. Drawing on European spatial policy and theoretical insights, the research aims to: 1) identify the primary obstacles to development of small shrinking towns; and 2) explore potentials for policy improvement. The findings highlight the need for a more targeted and strategically aligned policy framework to revitalize Serbia’s small towns.
