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GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - No. 50 (2024)
Article Index
Jan Jurič, Boštjan Rogelj
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.09
UDC: 911.3[32:796](477:470+571)
Abstract: Geopolitics, sports and Russian-Ukrainian war
Critical geography of sports underscores the intricate relationship between sport and politics, challenging the notion that sport is an apolitical activity. Sports contribute actively to shaping of the political production of space and are frequently leveraged for political purposes. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, where severe sanctions have been imposed on Russia and Belarus. This study draws on a comprehensive review of academic literature, media reports and online sources, aiming to shed light on the complex interplay between sport and geopolitics in the case of Russian-Ukrainian war. The study identifies five of the most commonly implemented sanctions, providing a chronological overview of their enforcement. Additionally, it examines the key drivers behind these rigorous measures, with a particular focus on the unique role of sports in contemporary Russia. Our analysis confirms that one of the principal factors underpinning these extensive sanctions is Russian President Vladimir Putin's deep affinity for sports and his use of it as a political tool throughout his leadership. The sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus in response to the war in Ukraine has further reinforced the premise that the notion of sports as politically neutral is a myth, revealing the deep-seated interconnection between sports and politics.
Keywords
geopolitics, sport geography, Russia, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Vladimir Putin
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 9-28
Arse Kuzmanoski, Svemir Gorin, Blagoja Markoski, Emilija Manevska
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.29
UDC: 556.51:911.9GIS(497.17 Crna Reka)
Abstract: GIS In the hydromorphology analysis of selected meanders of the Crna reka
Hydromorphological changes in river systems, particularly in the context of meanders, are crucial for understanding the dynamics of fluvial environments. Meandering is a natural process in lowland areas where rivers form curved, sinusoidal flows driven by the complex interaction of hydraulic forces, sediment transport and bank erosion. These changes alter the physical morphology of rivers, influencing water quality and flood risks. The meandering process of the Crna Reka can be accessed through the processing and analysis of topographic maps and satellite imagery from the Landsat mission (1983–2013) and Sentinel-2 mission (2018–2023). Parameters analyzed include river channel width, the central flow line within a given sector, the sinuosity of the river channel, the radius of curvature of river bends, the length of meandering belts, the width of meandering channels, and riverbed migrations. Between 1964 and 2023, an increase in the sinuosity coefficient, a rise in the number of bends from 10 to 23, changes in the radius of curvature from 271 m to 577 m, and alterations in the length and width of meandering were observed. Significant lateral erosion on the right bank and dominant sedimentation on the left bank were also evident. Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting future river flow changes and mitigating potential environmental impacts.
Keywords
GIS, meandering, Crna Reka, Sentinel.
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 29-44
Sumeja Lokvančić, Amra Čaušević
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.45
UDC: 338.488.2:640.41(497.6 KS)
Abstract: Analysis of customer satisfaction with hotel services in the Canton of Sarajevo: a review of Booking.com feedback
In today's world, providing high-quality hotel services is a critical determinant of guest satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to analyze reviews from Booking.com to assess the level of satisfaction with the quality of hotel services in Sarajevo Canton. Service quality in the hotel industry has become one of the most important factors influencing customer trust, loyalty, and sustainable competitive advantage within the dynamic and highly competitive tourism market. The objective of this research is to evaluate customer satisfaction with the quality of hotel services in Sarajevo Canton, focusing specifically on the municipalities of Stari Grad, Centar, Novo Sarajevo, Novi Grad and Ilidža. A total of 49 hotels were included in the analysis. The reviews considered include all tourism service-related categories made available for evaluation to guests-reviewers, including: staff, facilities, cleanliness, comfort, value for money, location, and free Wi-Fi. The results indicate that reviewers are satisfied with the quality of hotel services in Sarajevo Canton. The significance of this research lies in its ability to provide insights into the quality of hotel services in Sarajevo Canton from the guests' perspective. The findings can support hotel managers in making informed business decisions related to service quality improvement.
Keywords
hotels, reviews, guest satisfaction, booking.com, Sarajevo
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 45-56
Anđelija Ivkov Džigurski, Aleksandra Dragin, Ljubica Ivanović Bibić, Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.57
UDC: 911.3[338.48-6:615.8](497.113)
Abstract: The potential impact of tourism on changes in demographic characteristics in the spas of Vojvodina
Changes and trends in the tourism market, coupled with the contemporary socio-economic context, have positioned modern spa tourism as an attractive sector for a broader population. This raises the question of the extent to which the development of spa tourism can influence changes in the demographic characteristics of populations within spa settlements. Tourism is frequently highlighted as a significant driver of revitalization of certain areas. Tourism development has the potential to increase population numbers and alter population structures, particularly in economic terms. This study identifies the primary changes in the demographic characteristics of spa populations. Concrete proposals have been presented for the next steps in tourism development within the spa settlements of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
Keywords
spa, demographic characteristics, population structure, tourism, Vojvodina
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 57-74
Boris Avdić, Belma Durmišević, Lejla Žunić
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.75.09
UDC: 378.096:91(497.6 Sarajevo)
Abstract: Motivational factors for studying geography: student perceptions in Sarajevo
The study of geography holds a long-standing tradition in higher education, both globally and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the University of Sarajevo, the education of geography professionals has been conducted continuously since 1950, with over 1,700 students successfully completing this program. However, no research has yet been undertaken to investigate the motivations behind enrolling in geography studies or students’ perceptions of geography as a scientific discipline. In this regard, this study is pioneering in surveying the population of geography students at the largest higher education institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The survey included the majority of the current student population (n = 54 students) enrolled in the first cycle of study programs within the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science. The survey focused on general demographic characteristics of respondents, their experience with geography at lower levels of education, motivational factors influencing their choice of study program, personal preferences regarding different segments of geographical science, and their level of satisfaction with their chosen field of study. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, which revealed significant heterogeneity in student motivation and perception. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that tourism currently stands out as the most attractive area of study. This research provides new insights that may assist in shaping future enrollment policies and improving study programs.
Keywords
study of geography, higher education, student motivation, student perception, University of Sarajevo
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 75-89
Emina Ajanović, Ranko Mirić, Amina Sivac
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.91
UDC: 911.375.4:32(497.6 Sarajevo)
Abstract: The influence of the inter-entity boundary line on the functional transformation of space – the example of Sarajevo Canton and the City of East Sarajevo
The spatial structure of a city is the result of various connections and established relationships. In other words, it emerges from the formation of spatial patterns shaped by different urban functions within its spatial framework. This study investigates the transformations in the functional-spatial structure of a section of the Sarajevo metropolitan area, which has been significantly affected by the new administrative-territorial structure, shaping new patterns of urban development from 1991 to the present day. The conclusion of the Dayton Peace Agreement introduced an entirely new state-legal organization, while from a socio-economic perspective the inter-entity boundary line (IEBL) has disintegrated the settlement system formed under specific historical and socio-economic conditions. Coupled with the political exclusivity of pursuing separate development in what was once a unified urban area, the disintegration of highly urbanized municipalities has created conditions for functional division, particularly reflected through the separation of infrastructural elements. Accordingly, the study examines the implications of the established inter-entity boundary/demarcation line (IEBL) within the urban system, which includes changes in political-territorial organization, demographic concentration and the amount of population gravitational potential, functional and morphological transformations in settlements adjacent to the IEBL. In addition, it also explores other impacts on economic and social elements within the municipalities of Sarajevo Canton and the City of East Sarajevo. These changes are also analyzed in the context of current spatial planning measures and approaches aimed at enhancing the efficient functioning of urban areas in the immediate vicinity of the inter-entity boundary line.
Keywords
functional-spatial structure, Sarajevo metropolitan area, Dayton Peace Agreement, inter-entity boundary line, settlement system
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 91-118
Slaven Gašparović, Rawad Chaker, Maria Impedovo
DOI: 10.35666/23038950.2024.50.119
UDC: 378.14:91(497.5)
Abstract: The role of geography in promoting the importance of sustainable development in the educational process: an example of the geography curriculum in Croatia
Sustainable development has become an indispensable element of contemporary society. Schools play a critical role in enabling the continuous acquisition of new knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. This raises the question of the extent and manner in which the topic of sustainable development is integrated a specific school subject curriculum. The main objective of this study is to analyze this question using the example of Geography as a school subject in Croatia. Due to its integrative nature, Geography serves as a key actor in promoting sustainable development and positions sustainability as one of its core aspects. The research was conducted using a qualitative method by analyzing and comparing documents from the Geography Curriculum for primary schools and gymnasium schools with regard to their upbringing-educational outcomes and alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The study revealed that the content of the geography curriculum is generally well aligned with the 17 SDGs. However, discrepancies are most evident in the primary school curriculum, where some SDGs are not represented. The study also explores the specific knowledge and skills that geography teachers must acquire in order to effectively communicate the principles of sustainable development to students.
Keywords
sustainable development, geography curriculum, 17 Sustainable Development Goals, upbringing-educational outcomes, Croatia
GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL FOR GEOGRAPHY No 50, Year 2024. pg. 119-141