Using the example of the Roma settlement Kvitrovec in Međimurje County, Republic of Croatia, the paper analyses recent sociodemographic and migration characteristics of the Roma population in Međimurje County. The research was conducted in late 2024 and early 2025 via a household-level survey questionnaire in the studied settlement. Using the total coverage method, one adult representative from each of the thirteen households was surveyed. The survey questionnaire covered various socio-demographic characteristics of the population of the studied settlement, including characteristics of natural movement and migration, age-gender, educational and economic structure. A comparison of the results obtained with the results of previous research indicates a significant process of change in certain sociodemographic and economic structures and processes, with an emphasis on emigration from the studied Roma settlement, with the simultaneous presence of traditional and modern mobility patterns. Using the theoretical framework of aspirations and abilities, the results indicate that economic integration of the Roma community acts as a catalyst for migration and point to the conclusion that access to the financial market, enabled by employment and permanent income from employment, is an effective instrument for breaking spatial segregation via the realization of economic opportunities for spatial mobility.
An analysis of demographic indicators in 24 municipalities and towns with a majority Croatian population in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period from the most recent census conducted in 2013 to 2024 reveals the presence of natural depopulation and highly adverse changes in the age structure of the population, resulting in a reduced capacity for demographic sustainability. The research findings confirm alarming negative demographic trends across all analysed areas. Natural population change is negative in most municipalities, with the exception of the West Herzegovina Canton, which records a slightly positive trend. However, the levels of natural increase are insufficient to offset the rapid growth in the proportion of elderly persons. All key indicators related to the age structure of the population are highly unfavourable. The ageing index and old-age dependency ratio are increasing in all areas, while the youth dependency ratio is declining, indicating an inadequate level of demographic renewal. Overall age dependency is also rising. These trends pose serious challenges to the long-term sustainability of Croatian communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and highlight the urgent need for demographic revitalisation.
The floodplains of many rivers have been modified by various anthropogenic influences, and recently there has been a growing awareness of the need for floodplain restoration, primarily for better flood protection, climate change mitigation and improvement of the ecological status of streams. The initiative of many European Union bodies has significantly contributed to the development of strategies and the creation of many projects related to the floodplain restoration. This paper provides an overview and development of floodplain restoration research over the last 25 years related to floodplain delineation, which has evolved from simple models to hydrological-hydraulic models, and more recently to complex models that include multi-criteria analyses. It also provides an overview of approaches related to assessing the suitability or potential of floodplain restoration, where it has been determined that a combination of multiple data sources is most often used to eliminate uncertainties and more accurately define the condition and suitability for floodplain restoration. The direction of movement and development of restoration is moving towards integrated approaches with multidisciplinary teams.
Industrial zones within urban areas today are facing various challenges, due to human activities and the rapid urbanization of cities. In many cities of Kosovo, industrial facilities are located within the urban area. Based on this, it is thought that industrial zones within urban areas should have special treatment in spatial planning. There are several methods for the spatial distribution of industry in the city, based on the location and type of industry. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationships between industrial facilities and the urban area, as well as determine the cause-effect relationship for use as a basis. The study mainly focuses on several analyses of the state of the city of Gjilan, the distance of industrial facilities from the city center, the access of industrial facilities to streets, and the position of these facilities in relation to residential areas. The results indicate that most industrial facilities are concentrated 600-900 m from the city center. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that a considerable number of residential, educational and healthcare facilities are located within the protection zones surrounding industrial areas, indicating deviations from spatial planning standards prescribed in Kosovo. These findings highlight the need for improved spatial planning and land-use management to ensure sustainable urban development.
In Memory of Professor Veljko Rogić: the 100th Anniversary of His Birth (1925 – 2017)
