Projects / Programmes
Sustainable regional development of Slovenia
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2016
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S230 |
Social sciences |
Social geography |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.07 |
Social Sciences |
Social and economic geography |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Researchers (16)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Through the program Sustainable regional development of Slovenia we hope to build on the content of research studies to date in the field of sustainable development and focus on an analysis/assessment of key elements of geographical potential as the developmental foundations for the regional development of Slovenia. A key research question is how to even define “potential” and at the same time to investigate under which circumstances the elements of the Slovenian environment can become “potential”.
We proceed from the basic working hypothesis that Slovenia has available crucial geographical potential enabling a stronger emphasis on sustainable regional development. In periods of global crisis it is not enough to simply improve on the existing development model. We must above all seek out new solutions (adapted to the new, different conditions), such as offered by a sustainable development model of prosperity without quantitative growth which is gradually taking shape. Slovenia is characterized by a broad palette of features having regional geographical development potential and enabling such development pattern.
The proposed program has seven specific goals which are tied to specific applied research and whose content supports four fundamental goals:
1. Analysis of patterns of existing use of regional potential and adaptation of activities, use of space, and settlement to the limitations and changes of the geographical environment (climate changes, natural hazards). Investigation of the applicability of cases of good practice for future sustainability, endogenous regional development, and optimal functioning of regional economic cycles;
2. Geographical assessment and scenarios for managing crucial geographical potential of Slovenia and its regions: a) environmental/natural resources, use of space; b) social/human (demographic, social); c) created (settlement – the city-rural areas power relationship, infrastructure, economic activities) and their evaluation from the standpoint of the Europe 2020 Strategy, Slovenia’s Development Strategy, a model of more balanced regional development and a transition to an innovative, sustainable developmental regional model;
3. Methodological contribution to sustainable, developmental-protective valuation and modeling of the use of regional geographical potential and the formulation of a concept of development – GIS-supported models;
4. Effective transfer of scientific (theoretical and empirical) results of the program to all levels of geographical and related education, particularly in the university teaching process.
In addition to the ongoing publication of results, in 2015 we will prepare a scientific monograph “Geographic Potential for Sustainable Regional Development of Slovenia.”
The composition of the program group (reduced from 18 to 12 researchers) has been adjusted to the specific goals of the planned research in order to better respond to the development needs of Slovenia.
Significance for science
Modern geography is characterized by a holistic approach to the subject of research - the essence of this approach in different geographic practices (and follows from the definition of geography as a science of relations between man (society) and its environment), is its comprehensiveness. This includes both natural and social elements and at the end leads to a holistic synthesis. Due to the multi-dimensionality of modern problems such an approach enables an understanding of the character of complex interactions and relationships between natural and social phenomena. The holistic approach is often upgraded with problem-based, developmental and planning aspects. Significant contribution of the present programme to the development of geographical science is that the holistic approach integrates sustainable development dimension at the core of geographic development potentials and constraints. The attention is increasingly focused on the concept of endogenous regional development as the only model able to survive in the current situation. The overall structure of the research is directed towards the objective to increase the detection rate, activation and use of (endogenous) development potential, which will result in the successful operation of the regional economic circles, thus strengthening the regions while reducing differences between the regions. The research program contribute significantly to the existing methodology by the creation of the final comprehensive model (or better "partial models") for multicriterial evaluation of geographic developmental potentials. Direct applicability of the results of scientific research is increased on the basis of the performed simulations and scenarios of the development and management of key developmental potentials. Publishing of the relevant and up-to-date scientific findings and new methodological approaches in the university study literature contributes to the scientific and professional development. The university textbooks, and academic monographs and scientific papers enable quick transfer of scientific findings to the professional public and directly to the study process. Among the alternative forms of dissemination of scientific results and visibility of the program group we would like to highlight the importance of the planned ongoing presentation of the results in geographical and interdisciplinary scientific conferences in Slovenia and abroad, and especially the large international research-teaching commitment of the members of the program team. The latter mode of dissemination is particularly important for the dissemination of scientific research results of the foreign professional, otherwise the general public. Familiarity with the key issues of potential and possible scenarios for the sustainable development of Slovenia is one of the very important elements for the promotion of sustainable development as a political as well as the actual development objective.
Significance for the country
The culminating work of the research program (2013-2016), whose starting point was the design development without quantitative growth, we in Slovenia, especially at the regional level to encourage the development of new concepts and contribute to the effective, responsible and comprehensive management of public goods. With the preparation of the models to assess the availability of future use of regional development potentials we have offered direct support to national and regional development strategies (also actively involved in the drafting process and the new Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia). The latter is of utmost importance in the current, most active phase of preparing different strategic and implementation documents for the new programming period (2014–2020), and especially when considering current social situation requiring fast and efficient turnaround at the programming level. The direct importance of our research programme for Slovene society and economy is reflected in active participation in thematically very diverse applied research (mainly in the fields of regional development, rural development, sustainable use of land and natural resources (we are responsible for the establishment of the first national brownfield sites register in Slovenia), sustainable farming, demographic aspects of development, etc.). The intertwining of the research results from programme group and from basic research projects is, as socially necessary and effective, manifested in the applicability of our work. Applied research (target research projects and other projects for ministries, municipalities, and companies) shows a great need for practical results, in order to implement strategic spatial and development documents as well as to prepare implementing acts, spatial analysis and development strategies of municipalities and regions. In terms of indirect but indispensable social effects of the program Sustainable Regional Development of Slovenia contributes significantly to the development of higher education both through the development of research methods and through the incorporation of new contents into curriculum (not only geographical but also other studies). Additionally, members of the program group encourage students to include the topics of our research programme in their works 8PhD thesis). Continuous improvement in higher education is of crucial importance, and in the future it should also take greater account of sustainability aspects. Strengthening the links between research and pedagogic work on the one hand and direct users on the other (i.e. applied projects) has in the last years brought about exceptional results in terms of quantity and quality of work done in some fields, which contributes to better recognition, broader social applicability, and affirmation of geography in practice.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
