Projects / Programmes
Geografija regionalnih virov in regionalni razvoj Slovenije (Slovene)
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
Researchers (8)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
Complex regional geographical methods enable a holistic view of the landscape and of its more stable natural geographical properties as well as of anthropogenic changes and influences. The study of a complicated landscape composition requires expertise in complex geographical methods and the programme group will be devoted largely to this scientific challenge. It reaffirms that for geography as a scientific research discipline the interactions between society and the environment remain a key unifying concept. For the last two decades regional geography has focused its research on regional problems analysis. In the centre of research is the problem approach towards geographical units/regions and issues surveyed by complex regionalgeographic method. Basic and applicative researches enable testing and development of various new theoretical models. Scientific challenge is in the field of scientific methods transmission into practice: fundamental are studies selected case study areas, using contemporary research possibilities (GIS tools, function analysis, digital data). At the same time, it is necessary to implement classical geographic research methods: besides statistical data and landscape units evaluation, extensive field work is inevitable. According to many experts the regional geographic studies tend to be in a “crisis” deriving from methodologically less defined and complex character of this geographic field in comparison to the others that are more focused. Therefore we have conducted some special regional geographic studies in certain areas of Slovenia (f.e. Spodnje Podravje, Pomurje, Šaleška dolina). Regional geographic researches are important also due to transmitting of geographical statements into practice (everyday life). This type of research, when co-operation of geographers with direct users is established, is usually focused on special issues (detailed survey); in this case we are able to encounter holistic, integrated and complex research of selected Slovenian regions. For the planning and realization of environmental, economic and social sustainability the following considerations are crucial: human needs, environmental limits, economic and social security and intergenerational justice (responsibility). Geography, as a science linking the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, thus has both an opportunity and a responsibility for methodological unification and applying a synthetic and complex approach to the realization of the sustainable concept. Geographical understanding of the realization of the principles of sustainability in the narrower meaning derives from the recognition of the carrying capacity and limits of the environment (including the spatial dimension) for spatial organization of the functioning of society (settlement, economic activities, land use). In the interdisciplinarily designed natural sciences (biological, physical, chemical, hydrological etc.) conceptualization of environmental sustainability, geography introduces in particular the spatial dimension – the limitation of space (with the emphasis that space is a nonrenewable natural resource) and the landscape dimension – limitation of human impacts with respect to landscape sensitivity and change of landscape vulnerability due to changes in landscape use, settlement, economic components, etc. The scientific excellence of the program group members is reflected in the content and structure of bibliography indicators of research successfulness in the period 2004 -2008. 8 members reached 4200 points with 48 scientific papers, 24 scientific contribution on conferences, 45 chapters in scientific monographs and 7 individual scientific monographs.
Significance for the country
The direct importance of the programme for the economy and society is reflected in different spheres and on different levels. In the operation of the programme group, applied research (usually representing a continuation of basic research and its realization in practice) has a special place. For this reason focused on the applied value of the results, which serve the realization of strategic spatial and development documents as an expert basis for the execution of local acts, in the preparation of analyses of the current situation in the space and in strategies for spatial development of municipalities, regions and landscapes. Another important goal of the programme is the preparation of starting points and proposals for the realization of strategic development goals of Slovenia – economic, social, spatial and environmental, especially for guiding the organization and planning of sustainable development as a whole. The results of regional geographic studies are useful at implementing the goals of the Development Strategy of Slovenia. Beside the support to reaching the goals of sustainable development the results help to improve the competitiveness, economic and social cohesion on the local, regional and state level. The project results are also accordant with implementation of several aims of Development Strategy of Slovenia: • they contribute to spatial management and aims of demographic, social, economic and environmental policy, • they support the strengthening of the polycentric development of urban system, the development of regional centers and definition of crucial development priorities, • they enable qualitative preparation of spatial decrees on regional and municipal level according to development needs and regional development plans. We see important indirect but nonetheless socially necessary and useful effects of the programme especially in the following: • inclusion of the new contents into university programmes of study – the development of higher education (not just geography but also in other study programmes). We can begin the introduction of new educational curricula which are based on sustainable development as a starting point also in the coming years with the implementation of the Bologna process. • In the valuation and promotion of the natural and cultural heritage in planning the development of regions and promotion of the country, which has been too little included and hence neglected in development up until now (inactivated capital).
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
