This study analyses the spatio-temporal and institutional patterns of long-term international student mobility in the Czech Republic between 2001 and 2024, with a particular focus on the relationship between numerical growth and nationality diversity. Using data from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, the paper examines changes in the number of degree-seeking international students, their countries of origin, spatial distribution across university cities, and institutional preferences. The results confirm a more than sixfold increase in the number of international students, accompanied by a gradual diversification of source countries and a declining dominance of Slovak students. At the same time, the analysis shows that numerical growth does not necessarily correspond to higher diversity. While Prague represents a highly diversified and globally oriented centre, cities such as Brno or Zl & iacute;n combine high concentrations of international students with relatively low nationality diversity, largely due to the strong presence of Slovak students. Based on the combination of quantitative and diversity indicators, the study identifies distinct types of internationalisation profiles across Czech university cities. These findings highlight the spatially and institutionally uneven character of internationalisation in Czech higher education and point to the importance of language policy, institutional strategies and geopolitical factors. The paper thus contributes to a more nuanced understanding of international student mobility in a Central European context, with implications for higher education policy and regional development.
This article presents the results of a comprehensive investigation into the transport and infrastructural conditions influencing the development of public transportation in the city of Aktobe, Republic of Kazakhstan. The central aim of the study is to conduct an integrated spatial-functional assessment of urban public transport services in a context of rapid demographic growth, increasing motorization, and peripheral urbanization. The rationale arises from the limited availability of empirical research focused on second-tier post-Soviet urban centers where public transport remains under strain. Methodologically, the study employs a mixed-methods approach comprising geographic information systems (GIS)-based spatial analysis, stratified sociological surveying of 501 residents, and a set of statistically derived transport accessibility indices. Two composite indicators-the Public Transport Availability Index (PTCI) and the Integrated Transport Service Index (IPTSI)-were calculated based on service frequency, stop density, population coverage, and average waiting time. The results of the study reveal pronounced spatial asymmetries in transport provision: whereas central districts demonstrate a high level of accessibility and user satisfaction (over 80%), peripheral and suburban territories remain significantly underserved (below 30%). Although certain digital innovations (such as fare card systems and vehicle monitoring) have been introduced, systemic deficiencies persist-namely, insufficient network coverage, irregular service intervals, infrastructural degradation, and weak modal integration. The study argues for the necessity of a strategic reconfiguration of the route network, coupled with the introduction of environmentally sustainable transit solutions. Among the strengths of the study is its synthesis of spatial, perceptual, and infrastructural data into a single analytical framework capable of supporting evidence-based policy recommendations. However, its temporal scope limits dynamic forecasting potential. The findings possess broad applicability for medium-sized urban centers in transition economies and may serve as a reference point for rethinking public transport modernization strategies under conditions of constrained institutional and financial capacity.
Despite being part of the Schengen Area and benefiting from European integration, the Czech-Polish borderland faces challenges in cross-border mobility and regional development. The study aims to analyze the historical evolution, contemporary status, and future potential of cross-border railway transport between Czechia and Poland. It identifies the dismantling of numerous cross-border railway connections in the mid-20th century due to geopolitical tensions. It examines the persistent barriers to their re-establishment despite the removal of physical border controls. Through a multidisciplinary approach rooted in human geography and border studies, the research analyzes timetables, literature, and interviews with regional stakeholders to assess these lost railway links’ socioeconomic and infrastructural impacts. The findings reveal that while cross-border integration has improved in recent decades, cross-border transport remains fragmented, with regional disparities and administrative obstacles limiting integration. The study highlights key areas for potential railway restoration and the importance of European funding. The results contribute to broader discussions on border permeability, regional integration, and transport policy within the European Union. Strengths of the study include methodological diversity, empirical richness, and policy relevance. Limitations arise from significant reliance on secondary data and an emphasis on transport infrastructure and policy, leaving other aspects underexplored. In addition, differences in transport governance between Czechia and Poland resulted in uneven representation in the interviews.
This study employs the ENVI-met microscale model to assess heat stress in the urban core of Ko & scaron;ice, Slovakia, during a heat wave on 30 June 2022. Utilising high-resolution surface data derived from Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and shapefiles, we quantify the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to evaluate diurnal heat stress dynamics. The model incorporates detailed urban morphology, including buildings, 3D vegetation, and land cover, with meteorological forcing data from hourly SYNOP observations at the Ko & scaron;ice airport. Results highlight significant heat stress in densely built-up areas, with UTCI peaks in the late afternoon due to high heat accumulation and low wind speeds. The study underscores the effectiveness of ENVI-met for high-resolution urban microclimate simulations and identifies hotspots for potential heat stress mitigation strategies.
The cost-of-living crisis (CoLC) represents a long-standing structural challenge in developed countries that has intensified markedly in recent years, and is increasingly recognized as a global risk. This paper examines the CoLC in EU countries, with an emphasis on Slovakia and its regions (NUTS 3). The study assesses the level and dynamics of CoLC across EU member states and quantifies the impact of income development on changes in the income poverty risk rate (IPRR), with a particular focus on Slovakia and its regions. Using income, price, and poverty indicators at both national and regional levels, the study analyses the relationship between income dynamics and households' ability to cover living costs. The results indicate significant growth in the share of the population unable to cover their cost of living, driven by rapid price growth combined with weak income growth in Slovakia. Slovakia achieved the second worst score in the entire EU for the average annual growth of IPRR. At the regional level, stagnant or low income growth alongside rising prices emerges as the primary driver of worsening living conditions, particularly in economically weaker regions. The findings highlight growing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and underline the need for targeted policy responses to mitigate the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.
