Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S230 |
Social sciences |
Social geography |
| P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
Slovenia, Geography, Physical Geography, Human Geography, Regional Geography, Urban Geography, Regional Development, Geographic Information System, Cartography, Natural Desasters, Geographical Names
Researchers (23)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research programme “Geography of Slovenia” is a continuation of the joint research programmes Regional geography of Slovenia and Social geography of Slovenia. It encompasses basic analysis and synthetic research work about Slovenia, its landscape components and regional units, geographic comparative studies, development of geographic terminology including geographical names and furthermore the development of geographical methods, techniques and the geographic information system, including thematic cartography.
Geography is important for many spatial and other sciences since its understanding of landscapes, their characteristics and their principles offers basic knowledge for research in certain scientific fields as well as for expert, political and particularly developmental decisions. Its presence is furthermore valuable in the education system as it is an interesting subject in primary and secondary schools. However it is important for the general educational level of citizens as well since it helps to better understand regional, political, economic, social, religious, cultural and other problems in Slovenia and the rest of the World.
The predominant element in Slovene geography is complexity and it’s ideal implementation would be the (regional) geography of Slovenia. In the past few years there has been a raising interest for “United Geography”, particularly in english, german and french geographical litterature. Several debates are associated with the expression “New Regional Geography” and/or “École de la régulation”. Modern geography teaches natural and human landscape structures, processes and spatial social-group behaviour. Besides the complexity and interconnectivity of geographic features and processes it further considers the effects of economic progress, technological innovations, economic integrations, globalization, cultural identity and the effects the physical environment has on the landscape.
The research programme is of fundamental and national importance since it is the sole scientific discipline that studies Slovenia in a complex and geographic approach, its regional units and the interaction between components that make up Slovene landscapes (rock, surface, water, climate, soil, flora, fauna, population, settlements, economy etc.). This diversity of Slovene landscapes is one of the country’s biggest treasures.
“Geography of Slovenia” is a multidisciplinary project combining results of related sciences into a new synthetic scientific whole. Furthermore it is important for education as it facilitates understanding of regional, political, economic, cultural and other principles at home and elsewhere. The starting point of the research programme is mainly a systematic evaluation and formation of an environmentally friendly spatial management, based on standardized evaluation procedures, equivalently considering natural and social landscape components. One of the aims is the setting up of theoretical and practical models of a coherent regional development and wise land use. It will be founded on modern comprehension of the limits of natural resources and human and economic potentials. On a theorethical and model-based level the programme will illustrate the opposing development-concepts of globalization and regionalization which are related with a balanced competition, economic and social interaction and protection of natural resources.
The programme deals with the research of natural and social components of Slovenia and its landscapes with particular emphasis on their interaction and their importance for the formation and development of Slovene regions. The focus is therefore on the research of those particular geographic features which combine natural and human factors, e.g. natural disasters, land use, environmental problems, cultural landscapes, environmentally friendly development and research of modern social problems, e.g. in agriculture, population, social welfare, urbanization, national i
Significance for science
The methodology and results of Slovenian geographic research are also interesting from the European and global perspective because, in terms of landscape diversity and interconnectedness of landscape features, only a few countries can compare with Slovenia, which lies at the intersection of four large European regional units (the Alpine, Dinaric, Pannonian, and Mediterranean regions) and various historical, ethnological, linguistic, religious, political, and other influences of four primary cultural areas (Slavic, Germanic, Romance, and Hungarian). This is why numerous and varied types of natural and cultural landscapes reflecting the geographical features of a specific area have formed in an exceptionally small area. Because so many various natural and cultural factors are intertwined, the natural and cultural heritage of Slovenian regions is also incredibly diverse. The geographical methodology of studying Slovenian landscapes must thus be especially accurate and flexible, and consequently transferable and applicable to international researchers and other countries. Many geographers from abroad even call Slovenia a “true natural geographical laboratory.” Natural and social processes are often more expressed on the territory of Slovenia than in larger states due to its variegated character. The effects of natural and social processes are more visible, occur earlier and are of more conflict nature in contact regions. Geographical research of Slovenia may thus be a model of suchlike investigations in the European space. Geographical studies provide the bases for studying related conflicts, learning about and solving regional conflicts, regional planning, political decisions, and general education. Geography promotes humanity between people, and respect for the many differences among them – that is, tolerance both in Slovenia and throughout the world – which is an important human component of the program “The Geography of Slovenia.”
Significance for the country
The transformation of social processes related to raising living standards and environmental pollution demand an urgent reassessment of social goals. Appropriate measures that would respond to these new challenges have not yet been taken in planning Slovenia’s spatial development. Social, economic, and settlement systems are the result of development in the recent past (in various technical, technological, economic, and social conditions) and reflect contemporary economic, social, and natural conditions. Although we do not yet have comprehensive analyses available that would objectively establish which elements of the social and spatial organization seem problematic in the new conditions, numerous current processes draw attention to the fact that we must start thinking about new forms of landscape spatial organization. The proposed basic geographic research will thus provide direct interdisciplinary applicability in spatial planning. In addition to scientific importance, studying the heterogeneity and complexity of geographic systems has a practical significance as well. The connection is most obvious in developing regional, spatial, and economic policy, as well as environmental protection and education policy. Contemporary geographical studies are connected with studying the relation between social and economic development and physical-geographical opportunities. Geographers see sustainable development within the context of economic globalization and the accompanying technological changes, as well as the main economic, demographic, settlement, and environmental trends. Because it studies contemporary processes, the research program “The Geography of Slovenia” has practical applications in addition to scholarly importance. It contributes significantly to education because it leads to better understanding of regional, political, cultural, and other principles in Slovenia and throughout the world. This is why contemporary and complex research on Slovenia is necessary, because it ensures ongoing staff training through their inclusion in Slovenian and international research projects, and comparability with foreign approaches; basic knowledge of the discipline’s complexity is created, the individual’s own methodological approaches are developed, and professional experiences is gained in solving spatial issues at the national and local levels; and professional staff qualification for conducting complex applied research is therefore ensured. As stated above is of fundamental and national significance because this is the only scholarly discipline that studies Slovenia, its regional units, and the cohesion of its landscape components in a complex geographical manner. Studying and learning about the principles of one’s territory is very important for every country, but for a small country like Slovenia that is seeking its identity among the countries of the world the study of its landscapes, which express its natural and social characteristics and its integration into large European landscape units, is especially important. The diversity of Slovenian regions is one of Slovenia’s greatest treasures. The results of geographical studies are important for many spatial and other academic disciplines because with its findings on landscapes and their characteristics and principles, it provides basic knowledge for research on some of the subject-specific areas of the disciplines mentioned above. Geographic analyses and syntheses are also necessary for professional, policy, and especially development decisions by planning and related institutions, Slovenian ministries, and the state as a whole. On the other hand, geography focusing on the landscape as its basic subject has an expressly multidisciplinary orientation because it connects the findings of spatial and other studies in a new synthetic whole. Geographic research is also important because it facilitates understanding of regional issues in Slovenia and internationally.
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
