Abstract

Long-term changes in saturation, actual water vapour pressure, and saturation deficit in Poland were studied. For that purpose, data from 48 meteorological stations covering the 1966-2020 period were used. A significant trend was found in the saturation water vapour pressure, which influences other humidity conditions. In contrast, changes in actual water vapour pressure were generally negligible. Due to a notable changein saturation water vapour pressure that determines the saturation deficit, its trend was also significant. The most pronounced changes in humidity properties occurred mainly during spring and summer, particularly in Southern and Central Poland.

Keywords: air humidity, atmospheric water, water vapour pressure, saturation deficit, saturation state, Poland, climate change • climate warming

Ewelina Krawczyk [ewelina.krawczyk@edu.uni.lodz.pl], Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences University of Lodz Jana Matejki 21/23, 90-237 Łódź: Poland

Abstract

Protected landscapes (IUCN Category V) have expanded across Europe as tools for conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage in human-shaped environments. Their growing role in local development raises questions about management priorities and stakeholder expectations. This study investigates the perspectives of three stakeholder groups – park employees, local authorities, residents – regarding the functioning of 11 landscapeparks in the Małopolskie Voivodship. Using Q methodology (105 respondents), four dominant perspectives were identified, reflecting divergent assessments of the current role of parks and expectations regarding their functions, ranging from conservation-oriented to development-oriented approaches and differing in the importance attached to environmental, economic and participatory priorities. Despite divergences, broad support for landscape parks was evident. The findings suggest a need to strengthen their role in supporting local development compatible with conservation goals and foster more participatory forms of governance.

Keywords: protected areas, landscape parks, Małopolskie Voivodship, heritage conservation, local development, stakeholders’ perspectives, Q methodology

Bernadetta Zawilińska [zawilinb@uek.krakow.pl], Department of Social and Economic Geography Krakow University of Economics Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Krakow: Poland
Mariusz Łapczyński [lapczynm@uek.krakow.pl], Department of Market Analysis and Marketing Research, Krakow University of Economics Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Krakow: Poland
Karol Majewski [majewskk@uek.krakow.pl], Department of Social and Economic Geography Krakow University of Economics Rakowicka 27, 31-510 Krakow: Poland

Abstract

This paper examines a GIS-based methodology for assessing wine tourism potential as a tool for rural development, focusing on the wine-growing regions of Šumadija (Serbia) and Slavonia (Croatia). The proposed approach combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with a multi-criteria decision-making method based on open-source data. By applying spatial overlay, hotspot analysis, and index-based evaluation, the study identifies zones with high potential for wine tourism and developmental gaps. The WTDI (Wine Tourism Development Index) provides a transferable and replicable model for identifying wine tourism development zones in regions with limited data availability. The results revealed apparent spatial differences between the regions (urban and peri-urban areas such as Kragujevac, Aranđelovac, and Topola in Šumadija show higher tourism potential, while Slavonia displays a more balanced distribution of tourism potential, with notable hot spots around Požega, Kutjevo, and Daruvar). At the same time, both regions demonstrate a strong foundation for future wine tourism development, underpinned by improved wine quality and rich cultural heritage. However, neither region has yet reached the maturity associated with established wine tourism destinations. The WTDI model offers a scalable and replicable tool for identifying tourism development zones in data-scarce contexts. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based, spatially informed planning in unlocking the untapped wine tourism potential of rural regions. The proposed methodology offers a low-cost, replicable framework for local governmentsand development agencies to make data-informed decisions in promoting sustainable rural tourism.

Keywords: wine tourism potential, GIS-based methods, WTDI, Šumadija, Slavonija, Serbia, Croatia

Radmila Jovanović [radmila.jovanovic@uma.es], Institute of Agricultural Economics Volgina Street 15, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
Jelena Lončar [emilija.manic@ekof.bg.ac.rs], Faculty of Economy and Business University of Belgrade Kamenička 6, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
Emilija Manić [jloncar@geog.pmf.hr], Faculty of Science, Department of Geography University of Zagreb Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb: Croatia

Abstract

Large cities are generally considered more liberal than small settlements regarding parental gender division of childcare. We questioned this paradigm in a post-socialist environment where working mothers of preschoolers are perceived as the norm. The study aims to examine the gender differences among parents when transporting children to preschool, car-sharing within a household, and whether they vary across municipality size categories in Slovakia. The data were collected during the nationally representative survey viaface-to-face personal enquiries in households of heterosexual cohabiting parents (n = 844). Results showed that car-sharing within households did not depend on the municipality size category; however, it depended on the number of cars in a household. In families with only one car, the car was mostly used by the father. In all municipality size categories, mothers were primarily responsible for bringing children in and picking them up from kindergarten. Yet, the proportion of responsible persons varied significantly across municipality size categories. The fathers’ involvement in accompanying children was the lowest in the smallest municipalities. On one hand, mothers in medium-sized municipalities (10,000–19,999 inhabitants) faced the least burden dueto the combination of fathers’ involvement and help from other relatives. On the other hand, help from other relatives was absent in the largest cities, where mothers accompanied their children to a similar extent as inthe smallest settlements. The progressive values of parents in the largest cities are not sufficient to relieve mothers of parental responsibilities.

Keywords: post-socialist environment, preschool, transport behaviour, parental roles, urban–rural differences

Katarína Rišová [geogriso@savba.sk], Institute of Geography Slovak Academy of Sciences Štefánikova 49, 814 73 Bratislava: Slovakia
Ivan Chorvát [ivan.chorvat@umb.sk], Faculty of Arts Matej Bel University Tajovského 40, 974 01 Banská Bystrica: Slovakia

Abstract

This study examines how gender shapes solo female travel, focusing on destination desirability, perceptions of (un)safe spaces, experiences and spatial practices. Study combines an online survey of 818 women, mostly from Croatia with 11 semi-structured interviews. The findings show that perception of safety strongly influences destination choice and spatial behaviour, while women actively negotiate risk through planning, behavioural adaptation, and mental mapping. Solo travel does not eliminate fear but requires learning to manage it.Through this process, women assert autonomy, challenge gendered mobility constraints, and transform travel into a space of empowerment, resilience, and self-definition.

Keywords: solo female travel, gendered spaces, destination choice, destination desirability, spatial perception, empowerment

Lana Slavuj Borčić [lslavuj@geog.pmf.hr], Department of Geography, Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Marulićev trg 19/II, 10000 Zagreb: Croatia
Leona Matotek [leona.matotek@iztzg.hr], Institute for Tourism Vrhovec 5, 10000 Zagreb: Croatia

Abstract

Drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, predominantly from Belarus and Russia, Brest Fortress plays a pivotal role in shaping pro-Russian consciousness. It achieves this by reviving (post-)Soviet ideological motifs and by highlighting the self-sacrifice and heroism of the Fortress’s defenders in 1941, effectively translating these narratives into contemporary anti-Western contexts. For other nationalities — Poles, Germans, etc.— this tourist product could also hold significant historical importance related to the events of World War I and II as a site of remembrance. The main goal of the paper has been to examine and assess the symbolic perception by tourists of different nationalities of the Brest Fortress — including both the Memorial Complex on the Belarusian side of the border and the Terespol Bridgehead on the Polish side.

Keywords: Brest Fortress, Belarus, Poland, memory, symbolism, tourism, heritage, border

Aliaksandr Cyargeenka [aliaksandrc@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland
Marek Więckowski [marekw@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland