European Journal of Geography

Promoting Transdisciplinarity and Competency-based Learning Using Web GIS in the Spanish Secondary School Classroom

2025-08-29T16:14:33+03:00

In today´s world, education systems must adapt to stay connected with the real world. Three key elements meet these demands: the interaction between disciplines and their varying levels of complexity, the competency-based approach of the Spanish education system, and the use of web-based GIS tools for teaching and learning with a transdisciplinary approach. In this context, Spain offers a promising context to explore the integration of these elements, given its educational reforms and digital strategy. However, there are no studies in secondary schools in Spain integrating these elements. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that web GIS serves as a valuable resource for engagement in the real world, representing information on maps for teaching and learning within a transdisciplinary competency-based framework. The methodology applied follows the action-research model mainly based on classroom observations and students’ satisfaction surveys. Several stages have been considered: a) planning: identifying a relevant problem or topic to improve learning outcomes; b) action: class intervention by collecting necessary information, categorizing information, analysing the problem, formulating hypotheses and creating a layer for a collaborative map; c) results and interventions assessments. Following this methodology, three interventions are presented. The sample is a convenience sample with 187 students aged 15 to 18 (ISCED 3: 4th-year Compulsory Secondary Education -K-10, ages 15–16- and ISCED 4: 2nd-year Baccalaureate -K-12, ages 17–18-), from a Spanish educational institution. It can be stated that the collaborative use of web-based GIS in secondary education enhances engagement, representation of information, and increases interaction. All these actions improve sustainability, digital, learning to learn and citizenship competencies and promote transdisciplinarity.

Highlights:

Collaborative use of web GIS improves the engagement of students in Secondary School.
Cartography based on the use of web GIS drives the transdisciplinary approach.
Interventions evaluate sustainability, digital, learn to learn and citizenship competencies.

Exploring the Effectiveness of Urban Regeneration: The Comparative Study of the Industrial Heritage Sites of Łódź (Poland) and Yazd (Iran)

2025-09-01T22:13:58+03:00

To establish appropriate strategies for the urban regeneration of districts with industrial heritage, it is essential to consider the factors that may influence the effectiveness of any regeneration. This study compares the revitalisation of industrial heritage sites in Łódź, Poland, as a European regeneration model, and Yazd, Iran, as an Asian counterpart—two cities that share similar textile manufacturing histories but possess distinct political, cultural, and socio-economic factors. The study examines the challenges associated with achieving effective urban regeneration in the setting of industrial heritage sites. The study employed semi-structured interviews with experts and professionals, complemented by fieldwork and observational analyses of textile manufacturing heritage sites, with a particular emphasis on revitalisation projects. The originality of this paper lies in the application of a synthetic approach to the analysis of qualitative data for comparing typologies of urban regeneration strategies within the contexts of two socio-culturally and economically distinct countries. The results indicate that for effective urban regeneration within industrial heritage sites it necessitates the attainment of socio-economic outcomes through a balanced approach to public-private financing, while mitigating the undue influence of private investments. Furthermore, projects that enhance accessibility and infrastructure, as well as promote the adaptive reuse of historical resources, should be prioritised. Such initiatives not only generate financial income but also yield social benefits and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage values. The paper provides valuable insights for urban planners regarding the effectiveness of urban regeneration processes in districts characterised by industrial heritage.

Highlights:

The revitalisation project must be designed to align with both material and non-material values.
Shifts from private investments to collaboration highlight the industrial heritage in Łódź.
Substantial evidence underscores the impact of religious values on urban management in Yazd.

From Indicators to Insights: Measuring Urban Quality of Life in Medium-Sized Greek Cities with the DPRD-20 Urban Indicator System

2025-08-13T00:12:06+03:00

Urban Quality of Life (UQoL) is a critical concept in urban studies, capturing the well-being of city residents through environmental, social, and economic conditions. This study refines the existing DPRD-50 system—originally developed to assess UQoL in Greek cities—by applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the indicator dataset from its first application ten years ago. This process resulted in the DPRD-20 system, a more concise and flexible tool for comparative urban analysis. Beyond improving usability, the new system enables a longitudinal comparison of UQoL across time, revealing how selected Greek cities have evolved over the past decade. The findings highlight significant differences: cities like Ioannina, Volos, and Heraklion perform well due to strengths in healthcare, cultural amenities, or sustainable mobility. In contrast, cities like Kavala and Kalamata face infrastructure challenges despite strong environmental assets. The research underscores the importance of benchmarking as a means for cities to learn from each other, while supporting data-driven governance through an open-source monitoring framework with broader relevance to the European urban context.

Highlights:

Development of a new urban indicator system, through PCA, based on the existing DPRD-50 framework.
Use of open-source data to assess Urban Quality of Life in Greek medium-sized cities.
Benchmarking tool for supporting evidence-based urban policies and cross-city comparisons.

Statistical Reliability of the Modified Areal Weighted by Control Zones Method to Spatially Downscale Individual Social Data

2025-07-19T13:59:10+03:00

This study evaluates the modified areal weighting by control zones method (MAW-CZ) often involved in downscaling social data from a large spatial mesh, to a smaller mesh. This method has been extensively used in literature but the impossibility, until recently, of accessing individual data makes it so that it has not been evaluated. In this study it is applied to two case studies, Toulouse and Grenoble-Alpes Metropoles, using the census INSEE data at the IRIS scale and the building islet or topographical reference units (RSU) scale. The study found that 27.2% of RSUs in the Toulouse metropolis and 21.9% in the Grenoble-Alpes metropolis are inhabited, with mean populations of 122 and 116 residents, and maximum populations of 2,429 and 6,451 residents, respectively in 2018. The chosen downscaling approach introduces small errors for small and medium-sizedRSUs. For example, 94%, 78%, and 72% of RSUs of <100, 101–255, and 256–500 inhabitants, respectively, are correctly classified by the modified areal weighting by control zones method in the Toulouse Metropole. However, there are significant differences for the most populated RSUs (the performance decreases to 60% for RSUs with more than 500 inhabitants), with this category having a representativeness of 8.4% and 7.2% of the total number of inhabited RSUs in the Toulouse and Grenoble-Alpes metropoles, respectively. The spatial distribution of the biased RSUs are nevertheless homogeneous throughout the two territories. These discrepancies are due to both the upscaling/downscaling methods used and the nature of the data (points in the upscaling and polygons in the downscaling).

Highlights:

Population is downscaled from the census IRIS scale, to the RSU scale.
Modified areal weighted by control zones approach is evaluated.
Downscaling performs for small and medium-sized RSUs, <500 inhabitants with errors between 2 and 28%.
RSUs with >500 inhabitants — where errors reach 40% — represent <10% of inhabited RSUs in both case studies.

Position, Transportation, and Resources: Japan's Potential and Strategic Choices Under Analytical Geopolitics

2025-05-01T12:22:54+03:00

Japan is a very poor country in terms of natural and mineral resources. Consequently, it remains heavily dependent on maritime transportation. Japan’s proximity to a competing China, the ever-strengthening Sino-Russian partnership, and an aggressive North Korea constitute a hostile regional environment. This article offers an in-depth analysis of Japan’s capabilities (i.e., potential), predominantly demonstrating the weaknesses of the country. We argue that the flaws associated with Japan’s potential can be explained by both (i) geomisguided Japanese geopolitical agents, and (ii) the Japanese pacifist strategic culture. We deductively apply the model of analytical geopolitics. Our findings are that Japanese geopolitical agents are “geomisguided” as they have pursued policies of insufficient stockpiling and disregarded Japan’s dependence on the sea lanes of communication. Furthermore, Japanese public opinion does not sufficiently grasp the current threats Japan faces, and this fact limits the capacities of Japanese geopolitical agents. The paper addresses a gap in the literature by applying an innovative methodological analytical approach.

Highlights:

Japan is heavily dependent on maritime transportation, and the number of Japanese-flagged vessels is insufficient.
Japanese maritime currents have a military impact concerning floating mines.
Postwar Japanese pacifism clashes with security imperatives and encourages weaknesses in Japan’s potential.

Identification of Potential Paleoislands in the Mediterranean Sea During the Last Glacial Cycle

2025-06-28T12:11:06+03:00

The Last Glacial Period (LGP) significantly altered sea levels and landscapes across the globe, with the Mediterranean Sea being no exception. During this period, fluctuating sea levels exposed numerous landmasses, some of which may have served as critical habitats for plants, animals, and even human populations. This study aims to identify and analyze the potential paleo-islands that were emerged in the Mediterranean Sea during the LGP (115,000 – 6,500 BP). Using high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and bathymetric data, we reconstruct the Mediterranean’s paleogeography, focusing on the periods of maximum sea-level regression. A novel methodological approach was applied to determine the duration and extent of these paleo-islands, while filtering out uncertainties related to their size and elevation. Results show the existence of hundreds of potential paleo-islands, including larger landmasses that significantly expanded during this period. This research highlights the critical role these islands played in biogeographical processes, such as species migration and dispersal, and possibly in the migration patterns of early humans. Future work will focus on refining the data with localized sea-level curves and incorporating sedimentary and erosion processes into the analysis, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the Mediterranean’s geomorphological evolution

Highlights:

Sea-level fluctuations during the LGP significantly altered Mediterranean landmasses.
Identification of paleo-islands in the Mediterranean during the Last Glacial Period.

Determining Factors Affecting Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles using Statistical and Machine Learning Models

2025-05-24T13:45:14+03:00

The aim of this study was to find out the risks and perceptions related to the acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) with regards to different aspects of society. An online survey was used for collection of stated preference data. The data of 465 respondents was deemed suitable for the analysis of this study. Comparison with traditional vehicles and willingness to use had the highest ratings while being tech-savvy had the lowest ratings. Parametric analysis and prediction model were used to analyze the relationships between the willingness to use and participants’ characteristics and opinions. The model was developed using artificial neural network. The results show that gender, age, affinity for technology and comparison with traditional vehicles seem to have a significant impact on the perception of participants. This was shown by the parametric analysis performed at a significance level of 5% and later confirmed by the model. The model showed the highest importance of being tech-savvy with 0.76 index followed by comparison with an index of 0.74. A comparison with a similar study from Saudi Arabia shows that drivers in these countries have a significantly different perception related to AVs.

Highlights:

Determination of acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles (Avs) using various factors.
Statistical analysis and artificial neural networks used.
Results compared with a neighboring country and previous studies.
Providing recommendations to promote AVs and realize their full potential.

Multilingualism as a Learning Resource in Map-Based Geography Lessons

2025-05-01T12:58:51+03:00

Multilingualism, including foreign and heritage language repertoires, is omnipresent in classrooms across educational levels and societies. How-ever, there is a lack of existing geography education approaches that allow students to use their language repertoires as a learning resource to ensure an in-depth understanding and participation. As maps are inherently geographical, and gaining map skills plays a pivotal role in geography education, an explorative qualitative research design was developed concerning a multilingual map-based approach. Upper secondary students (n = 20), six of whom had a heritage language different from the target language, at a high school in North Rhine-Westphalia completed a multilingual task and evaluated it. The results of the qualitative study provide initial evidence of multilingual map-based education settings in geography education. This approach allowed students to use their language repertoires as a learning resource, and learners with differing heritage languages performed equally well as their peers in correctly implementing map-related words in their written texts. However, this approach did not encourage the use of lexically complex map-related words. Students’ perspectives on the approach were included, although they were brief and limited. Still, the responses reflected a range of perceived benefits and challenges. The pedagogical implications of the results for teaching practice are elaborated upon at the end of the paper.

Highlights:

Conceptualizing multilingualism as a learning resource in a map-based geography education context.
Innovative qualitative research design regarding integrating multilingualism in geography education.
Pedagogical implications of the present study to empower teachers to integrate multilingualism.

Analysis of Written Material-based, Multi-perspective Argumentation in Geography Lessons: A Comparison Between Two Samples From Ecuador and Germany

2025-03-22T13:50:22+02:00

The ability to argue is an essential prerequisite for participating in social discourse. Argumentation can be used, to form one's own opinion and to weigh up, evaluate and justify different options for taking action. Argumentation skills should be trained in geography classes in particular, as this subject often deals with socially relevant topics such as sustainability, climate protection or resource conflicts, to prepare students for taking part in such debates. A particularity of geography teaching is the use of many different materials (maps, diagrams, illustrations, etc.). The basis for arguments is the information that students gain from these materials. This study focuses on the skills and difficulties students have in writing a material-based, multi-perspective argument about a spatial conflict and compares those skills and difficulties of students from Ecuador (n = 42) and from Germany (n = 17) in terms of their similarities and differences. The students were given eight different materials from which they had to extract information about a spatial conflict and were then given the task of writing an argumentative text on the topic. These students' texts were then analysed using a model of the didactic requirements for a written, material-based, multi-perspective argumentation. The skills and difficulties students had seem to be due to the cognitive demands of the task rather than on the students' respective cultural and educational context as the results show comparable trends in most categories of the model in both countries. The students did not name many actors and rarely positioned them. Most argumentations were not multi-perspective with only a few and rather imprecise arguments that however mostly matched the topic. Only a small amount of information from the materials was used, but mostly correctly and implicitly.

Keywords:

written argumentation, multiple -perspectives, material-based, conflict over the use of space, international comparison, Ecuador, Germany, argumentation skills

Highlights:

Model for didactic requirements for a written, material-based, multi-perspectiveargumentation
International comparison of students' argumentation competences
International comparison of students' difficulties writing an argumentation

Bridging Geopolitics and Environmental Issues in Geography Education: Exploratory Teachers’ Insights from France and Israel

2025-03-25T14:43:18+02:00

The relationship between environmental issues and politics is underrepresented in geography curricula. This study explores the challenges associated with integrating environmental issues within a political framework in geography education and puts forward a case for their inclusion in teacher development. The present study is predicated on an analysis of the intended and the achieved curricula. A comparative analysis of the curricula, complemented by interviews with a total of 20 teachers, in France and Israel, led to the identification of common barriers. The analysis revealed that both countries' curricula incorporated environmental geopolitics and that the teachers recognised the link between environmental and political decisions. However, they mentioned few local political aspects, and most of them were unfamiliar with this connection from their prior studies. Despite the limited time allocated to the subject, teachers incorporated these topics out of a sense of mission. The paper proposes a model to facilitate the integration of environmental geopolitics into teaching practice.

Highlights:

Teachers interviewed in France and Israel recognised links between the environment and politics.
There is no consensus on how to include these topics in the curriculum.
Israeli teachers discussed global politics more openly than French teachers.
French teachers focused on local issues, avoiding political aspects.
All the teachers required better training in geopolitics for effective teaching.
A theoretical model that would enable teachers to teach environmental geopolitics is proposed.

Cultural Mapping and the Sustainability of Coastalscapes: A Conceptual Approach

2025-03-15T13:14:29+02:00

Coastal regions, plentiful in ecological and economic value, have long been hubs for human settlement, recreation, and tourism. However, the growing threats of global climate change and urbanisation are endangering the sustainability of these vital coastalscapes. With nearly two-thirds of the global population living in coastal areas, there is an urgent need for innovative management strategies. This paper explores the critical role of local spatial knowledge, incorporating diverse cultural aspects such as memories, experiences, and oral traditions, to address the challenges confronting these regions. Cultural Mapping (CM) is introduced as a dynamic methodology – transcultural and transdisciplinary – facilitating creative representations of coastalscapes and serving as a vital tool for understanding the complex, reciprocal relationships between people, more-than-human entities, and places. CM reveals the deep-rooted connections that shape coastal communities’ identities and sustainability practices by documenting intangible cultural resources and capturing the emotional and sensory dimensions of coastal environments. Drawing on the pioneering work of Pam Hall (2013) and incorporating insights from an in-depth scholarly literature review, this paper underscores the potential of CM to transform both research practices and policymaking. It offers a new lens for sustainability in coastal regions, paving the way for future studies and innovative, community-driven management strategies that engage a diversity of knowledge systems in addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Highlights:

Cultural Mapping illuminates the emotional, social, and historical dimensions of coastal landscapes, enhancing sustainability efforts.
Cultural Mapping fosters community collaboration, amplifying local knowledge to inform policies and decision-making in coastal regions.
Integrating diverse cultural narratives through Cultural Mapping enables a holistic approach to coastal development, bridging scientific and local perspectives.

Stereotyping in German Geography Classes – Secondary Teachers’ Challenges and Strategies

2025-03-15T13:06:00+02:00

Stereotypes serve as a means to generalize and simplify our complex world. However, they are usually negatively connoted and can lead to discrimination. Frameworks and requirements exist at various scales to address, dismantle, and counteract stereotypes using multidimensional perspectives. However, because many stereotypes are unconsciously reproduced, blind spots may persist. This exploratory qualitative study investigates the role of stereotyping in the specific context of geography lessons. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 German secondary school geography teachers, using open-ended questions to gain insights into their perspectives and experiences. Through qualitative content analysis, we found that stereotypes appear across various geographical topics, with Africa being particularly affected. The main challenges facing teachers are time constraints, inadequate teaching materials, rigid curricula, and the need to reduce complexity. Some teachers attempt to address stereotypes, but their strategies are often vague, suggesting a lack of systematic training and reflection in university education. Therefore, our results indicate a discrepancy between the guidelines for addressing stereotyping and the reality in German geography classrooms. Although the surveyed teachers were aware of stereotyping, they are not yet adequately equipped to handle it.

Highlights:

Stereotypes persist in geography, notably affecting Africa’s portrayal.
Complexity reduction, time constraints, and rigid curricula contribute to the reproduction of stereotypes.
Teachers’ strategies remain vague, reflecting inadequate training and professionalization in teacher education.

Spatial Patterns and Functioning of Water Springs in the Sacred Landscape Structure: The Case of Lviv and Volyn Oblasts of Ukraine

2025-04-13T00:48:06+03:00

Sacred springs are significant among water sources, as they serve not only natural functions but also social ones, fulfilling the spiritual needs of residents and pilgrims. This article aims to determine the spatial distribution and role of consecrated/sacred springs in the formation of sacred landscapes. Sanctified springs act as key components and markers of sacred landscapes. The hydrogeological and climatic conditions of Western Ukraine, particularly in Lviv and Volyn oblasts, contribute to the formation of water springs. These regions' national, ethnological, religious, and cultural characteristics have influenced the development of a network of consecrated/sacred springs. The physiographic zoning scheme of Ukraine served as the cartographic basis for this study. During 2018-2023, field research was conducted on 112 sacred springs in Lviv oblast and 61 in Volyn oblast. Also, a survey of residents was carried out to gather information about the history and medicinal properties of the investigated springs. The identified spatial patterns of sacred spring distribution within Lviv and Volyn oblasts indicate that their location, concentration, and functioning depend on the characteristics of the surrounding natural environment. Various types of sacred spring groupings have been recorded, including ribbon, double, dispersed, isolated, compact, and blocked. Sacred/consecrated springs play a central role in forming sacred landscapes. The adequate functioning of such a landscape requires the development of special organisational, landscape-planning, and protective mechanisms for nature use.

Highlights:

Sanctified springs are not individual formations but form a sacred landscape with the natural and cultural environment.
Sacred/sanctified springs serve as focal points for the formation of certain social groups around them, sometimes far beyond the geographical location of these springs.
Sacred springs should have the status of protected objects.

Green Gentrification in Lisbon (Portugal): A Study about Marvila’s Riverfront

2025-03-27T00:52:05+02:00

Lisbon is considered a green European city. However, some greening projects have generated extra rent and increased the prices of new urban developments, especially along the Tagus River, indicating a possible green gentrification process. Green gentrification is a recent concept designed to understand direct and indirect displacement and exclusion in an area after some environmental requalification project, the territorialization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and parks. A delimited case study was conducted in the area of Braço de Prata/Matinha in Marvila parish to recognize the existence and materialization of this contemporary type of gentrification in Lisbon. This new and original research was based on the analysis of references about green gentrification, statistical data analysis, real estate prices, and field observation. Absence of direct displacement data and interviews are acknowledged limitations. Marvila is an uneven area in the city, including many concentrated social housing projects as well as redevelopments along its riverfront with high premium residential units after the reconversion of a brownfield into a greenfield. A new urban green park changed the urban plan, which eliminated heavy traffic, connected the city with the river, and created the possibility of a permanent view of the Tagus. After the requalification and the implementation of environmental amenities, the local population, elderly working-class communities who had lived with the surrounding industries, pollution, and contamination for decades, could not afford to live in the area due to the high prices of green and sustainable housing based on green gentrification, which is an environmental injustice.

Highlights:

Green gentrification is a recent and important concept that reveals uneven access to nature in the city.
Greening projects can increase real estate prices, displace inhabitants, and be environmentally unjust.
Braço de Prata/Matinha neighborhoods are potential cases of green gentrification in Lisbon, Portugal.

A Spatially-Informed Healthy Location Index for Assessing Urban Living Environment

2025-03-30T12:20:00+03:00

Urban health outcomes are shaped by the complex interplay of environmental, social, and spatial factors. This study develops a Healthy Location Index (HLI) to assess spatial health risks by integrating health-promoting (HPSVs) and health-restraining (HRSVs) spatial variables using geospatial analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Taking Kolkata, India, as a case study, the HLI incorporates factors such as green and blue spaces, built-up density, air quality, and the distribution of alcohol and fast-food outlets to create a spatial model of urban health. The study utilizes remotely sensed and administrative datasets (e.g., Landsat-derived NDVI, NDBI, NDWI, Point-of-Interest data) and validates the HLI against COVID-19 containment zones (June 2020–January 2021) using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results indicate that areas with high HLI scores—characterized by greater access to green spaces and lower exposure to environmental stressors—were less likely to be containment zones, suggesting a meaningful relationship between spatial health factors and urban resilience. However, the study acknowledges potential confounding variables, such as socioeconomic disparities, population density, and healthcare accessibility, which may influence health outcomes. The findings underscore the global applicability of the HLI framework in urban planning, public health policy, and epidemiological risk assessment, offering a scalable model for cities facing rapid urbanization and environmental challenges.

Highlights:

Proposed a scalable HLI framework with global implications for urban planning and targeted health interventions.
Validation using COVID-19 containment zones and ROC analysis, demonstrating the utility of HLI in predicting health-risk areas.
Policy implications for global urban planning and health interventions, emphasizing the need for improved green space access and environmental risk mitigation.

Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS for Urban Sprawl Monitoring in European Cities

2025-02-23T12:12:40+02:00

Urban sprawl still poses a major problem to most European cities as it causes environmental degradation, social and economic unfairness, and inefficient land utilization. This study proposes and evaluates an extensive decision-making framework that facilitates the use of remote sensing and geographic information systems for assessment, analysis, and control of urban sprawl. Satellite data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 were utilized to analyze land cover changes in six European cities, including London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, and Athens, that occurred over a period of 23 years, specifically from 2000 to 2023. Supervised classification techniques, namely, Random Forest and Support Vector Machines, and spatial metrics including Shannon’s Entropy, Patch Density, Urban Compactness Ratio, and Buffer analysis were used to assess the level of sprawl. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 125 urban planners and policymakers to get a quantitative perspective about socio-economic forces and policy efficiency. The study established that there has been extreme urban sprawl with Rome leading at 24% and Berlin at 23%, attributed to population growth, economic development and thin urban planning standards. Furthermore, green space was also reduced by 19.7%, and air pollution rose by 11.2%. Also, an increase in traffic congestion (36%) and housing costs (28%) were other socio-economic issues. The tested decision support framework proved efficient for scenario modeling and predictive spatial analysis for sustainable urban growth. Future literature should add the application of a machine learning approach and artificial intelligence for better classification of land use and quantify the cities’ sprawl.

Highlights:

An integrated RS-GIS and machine learning framework to assess urban sprawl patterns across six European cities under varying urban typologies.
Combine spatial data with expert survey responses to analyze the influence of policies, socio-economic factors, and infrastructure on urban sprawl.
A multi-scalar analysis revealing spatial disparities, infrastructure access gaps, and planning challenges affecting urban expansion across Mediterranean and industrialized cities.
Evidence-based insights supporting policymakers and planners in designing sustainable urban development strategies tailored to diverse European urban contexts.

The Business Ethic and the Ethic of Care: Business Improvement Associations, Emergency Shelters and the Hybridity of Urban Governance in Action

2025-02-02T23:16:29+02:00

Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) – also referred to as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) – and emergency shelters are two important entities in the hybridity of urban governance and order, even though, facially, this might not appear to be so, especially given the fundamentally different nature of the ethic of each: between protecting and enhancing business (and, to some extent, community and residential) interests related to profit and property values (BIAs) and serving the wellbeing of marginalized persons, such as the visibly poor or homeless (emergency shelters). This paper reads the ethics of BIAs alongside and against that of emergency shelters to claim that while the interests, values, and rationales of each are profoundly and fundamentally different, one premised upon a business ethic (BIAs) and the other on an ethic of care (emergency shelters), each ends up being severely oppressive to marginalized persons whether by intention or implication of their very being. As such, the article examines the way different forms of governance come together in the current urban landscape and helps shed light upon some of the workings of the hybridity of urban governance.

Highlights:

The hitherto unappreciated relation between business ethics and care ethics.
The manner in which care ethics often get subsumed under business ethics.
The oppressive nature of this relation to marginalized populations.

Incorporating Population Dynamics in the Context of Earthquake Shelter Location-Allocation Analysis

2025-02-07T22:33:29+02:00

Location-allocation is a widely used approach to optimally select earthquake shelters and efficiently allocate the population in case of an emergency. A significant limitation often ignored by the vast majority of studies is the utilization of static aggregations of residential population, which may lead to sub-optimal location decisions and inefficient allocations. To overcome this limitation, in this article, an attempt to spatially refine population data, as well as, to capture population fluctuations throughout the day, using areal interpolation methods along with open spatial information, is undertaken. Then, its influence on the shelter location selection and population allocation process is examined. The city of Mytilini, Lesvos, Greece is used as the case study to further investigate three location-allocation scenarios using block-level census population, building-level night and day estimations as input. The results indicate that using spatially refined population data provide reduced distances, better shelter selection and capacity optimization, and finally, more efficient allocations. Moreover, using building-level day estimations of the population distribution reveals significant shifts in sheltering demand from residential areas to mixed and commercial zones. The use of detailed population dynamics data can give insights about the adequacy of shelter provision under different scenarios, and therefore, help civil protection authorities to make much more informed decisions.

Highlights:

Areal interpolation using ancillary information can be used to capture population dynamics.
Building-level population data in the context of location-allocation provide reduced distances, better shelter selection and capacity management, and efficient allocations.
Daytime building-level population indicates significant shifts of sheltering demand.

Beyond the Economy: Metropolitan Mobility and the Relevance of the Peak-Car Concept

2025-02-22T13:23:37+02:00

Daily mobility in urban areas is crucial for the successful implementation of an energy transition aligned with decarbonisation and sustainability objectives. Using the case of the Valencia metropolitan area, this study examines empirical evidence to determine whether there is a decline in private car use and the conditioning factors influencing this trend. The primary data sources include car ownership and driver census data from the General Directorate of Transport (Spanish government), monthly average daily traffic data from Valencia City Council, and passenger statistics from various transport companies in the region. Urban mobility data are analysed in relation to socio-economic and territorial factors. Within the conceptual framework of the peak-car hypothesis, we present evidence suggesting a decoupling between economic trends and the evolution of motorisation and car use. This finding highlights the necessity of exploring additional influencing factors, including territorial, political, cultural, and socio-demographic dynamics. Notably, the policy shift towards more sustainable mobility, initiated a decade ago, appears to have been significantly effective.

Highlights:

The peak-car concept remains a useful tool for analysing mobility transitions.
A decoupling process between car use and the economic cycle is underway.
Public policies regulating the use of public space are the most effective, even in scenarios with limited financial resources.
The recent decline in urban residential density does not appear to be a significant factor in reducing car use.
The dramatic increase in public transport usage following the COVID-19 pandemic is not accompanied by the necessary public investment to expand and improve its quality.

Geographical Dimensions of Nuptiality in Greece During the Inter-War Period

2025-02-26T23:06:06+02:00

This paper examines marriage patterns in Greece during the 1920s, focusing on regional variations. These variations reflect Greece's diverse historical, cultural, and economic character, particularly considering that some regions, primarily in the north, had only recently been incorporated into the nation after the Balkan Wars and World War I. Analysing data from these administrative regions (formerly known as Geographical Departments), reveals a north-south gradient in marriage patterns, with further distinctions between mainland and insular Greece. In the northern regions, marriage customs, especially for women, resembled those of neighbouring Balkan countries like Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, characterized by early and near-universal marriage. Further south, age at marriage was generally later, and permanent celibacy was more common, particularly for men, and in the Ionian islands, for women as well. The influx of approximately 1.2 million refugees from Asia Minor following the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) significantly impacted Greek demographics, including marriage patterns, due to the gender imbalance created by the war, specifically a shortage of marriageable-age men. This study argues that regional variations in marriage patterns within Greece during the inter-war period were so pronounced as to suggest disparate cultural contexts rather than mere intra-national differences. The primary findings highlight the enduring influence of pre-existing cultural norms among the populations that came to shape the modern Greek State.

Highlights:

Striking diversity in marriage patterns across Greece in the 1920s.
A clear north-south gradient, with the North exhibiting characteristics similar to Balkan countries (early, universal marriage) and the South showing later marriage ages and more frequent celibacy.
Refugees largely adopted the prevailing marriage patterns of the specific regions where they settled, suggesting that either refugees’ region of origin shared similar economic and cultural characteristics with their new homes or/and a rapid adaptation to local customs.

Geospatial Technologies in Crisis Response: Analyzing the 2024 Floods in Valencia, Spain

2025-08-02T13:21:37+03:00

On October 29, 2024, a cut-off low (DANA) caused the most catastrophic flooding in recent history in Spain and the Mediterranean region, in Valencia, resulting in 228 deaths, more than €13 billion in damages, and the disabling of more than 140,000 vehicles. In the days following the disaster, a lack of information and a limited institutional response created a climate of uncertainty. In this context, satellite imagery became the only reliable source of information. This study adopts a systematic review methodology to reconstruct and critically analyze how geospatial technologies were used for forecasting, documenting, and managing the disaster. It draws on a compilation of meteorological datasets, satellite imagery (e.g., Sentinel, Landsat), GIS outputs, institutional maps, and academic research. The research identifies four chronological phases: First, meteorological data were employed to sound the alarm; second, satellite imagery products were used when the disaster already occurred; third, development of web platforms with geographic information and other institutional servers for data download; and four, new lines of research with the inputs generated in the previous points. The intervention of international coordination platforms—the Copernicus EMS rapid mapping service and the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters—allowed, in record time, the processing of the first satellite images and the expedited mapping of flooded areas. The findings demonstrate that spatial analysis tools are one of the most important inputs when dealing with a natural disaster, especially in the first hours and days following the event. However, prior territorial planning and the prompt intervention of decision-makers when such an event occurs are the most decisive factors in minimizing damage. The study also contrasts climate change-based explanations with historical-geographic interpretations of the disaster, underscoring the need for a comprehensive, geographically grounded approach to future risk management.

Highlights:

Geospatial analysis and geography play a crucial role at the onset of global emergencies.
At the onset of the event, international remote sensing platforms were the only valid source.
Climate change and historical geography are the two approaches that explain these floods.
After DANA, new flood models, hydrometeorological explanations, planning proposals and social vulnerability approaches were developed.

Utilisation of Concept Maps in Geography Education Research: A Systematic Review

2025-05-01T12:06:17+03:00

Concept maps are graphical representations of students’ knowledge and understanding, used for the development of meaningful learning. In geographical education, they can support the visualisation of processes among Earth systems and the development of systems thinking. This systematic review examines 40 empirical studies (2003–2023), written in English and found in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The aim of the literature review was to analyse and categorise the most common uses of concept maps in geography education research, focusing on the research, interaction and application issues of concept maps in relation to geography and the students creating them. The results show that concept maps were predominantly used as an assessment tool to reveal conceptual changes post-intervention. The most frequently mapped topic was climate change and other human–environment interactions. Concept maps were primarily used to study general pedagogical problems, less to explicitly research geographical education. This review highlights the role of concept maps in geography education, and their potential and limitations in efficient implementation.

Highlights:

● Using concept maps as a learning tool can help students develop systems and relational thinking skills.
● Concept map use can help teachers detect misconceptions and conceptual changes in student learning.
● Initial training in concept mapping and continuous feedback are major conditions for its effective use and the gain in possible benefits for geography students.

Advancing Tsunami Vulnerability Modelling: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications

2025-03-04T22:59:16+02:00

This study conducts a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of tsunami vulnerability modelling using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess research trends, methodologies, and challenges in disaster risk assessment. Sixty-six articles published between 2014 and 2024 were analyzed from the Scopus database, revealing an increasing reliance on geospatial technologies for tsunami hazard mapping, vulnerability assessment, and risk mitigation. The findings highlight the dominance of GIS-based spatial analysis and numerical modelling techniques, with remote sensing providing critical data for hazard simulations. The study also identifies a growing trend in integrating machine learning with GIS to enhance tsunami risk prediction and improve early warning systems. Despite technological advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring data accessibility, standardizing vulnerability assessment frameworks, and addressing socio-economic disparities in disaster resilience. The review emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to develop adaptive and inclusive approaches, particularly in regions with limited technical capacity. Furthermore, multi-hazard vulnerability frameworks are gaining prominence, incorporating tsunami risks alongside coastal hazards such as storm surges and sea-level rise. This study underscores the critical role of remote sensing and GIS in advancing tsunami vulnerability modelling while highlighting existing research gaps. Future research should improve model accuracy, integrate real-time environmental data, and develop innovative solutions to enhance community preparedness and coastal resilience. By synthesizing recent studies and analyzing emerging trends, this paper provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and disaster management practitioners working to mitigate tsunami risks in vulnerable coastal areas.

Highlights:

Tsunamis cause significant damage to coastal regions, impacting lives and economies.
Remote sensing and GIS are essential tools for assessing tsunami vulnerability.
Geospatial technologies improve disaster preparedness and coastal resilience strategies.

Social Media, Society, and Sustainable Development: Identifying Opportunities and Challenges through Bibliometric Analysis and Social Media Review

2025-01-11T12:52:23+02:00

The term 'social media, society, and sustainable development' is widely used to describe the impact of digital media on the sustainability of living space. The growing use of the internet and mobile devices has highlighted the importance of social media in building new groups and driving social change. It investigates the role of social media in promoting sustainable development. The goal is to identify the scholarly concerns and community behaviours regarding the opportunities and challenges of social media on sustainable development. Therefore, systematic evaluation literature was applied to compare global and local settings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). The literature assessment shows a constant increase in scholarly publications, highlighting important links between society, social media, and sustainability. Social media reviews of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube suggest that people understand how to use social networking to support spatial sustainability. Still, better use of social media is required to prevent negative consequences such as gentrification, the digital divide, and the identity crisis. Furthermore, in pursuit of sustainable development goals, the article focuses on micro-initiatives and increasing the productivity of online social media users and platforms.

Highlights:

It investigates the role of virtual media in ensuring sustainability.
The study is based on synthetic bibliometric analysis using PRISMA.
Keyword search has shown the relationship between sustainable development with society.
Social media initiatives are mostly focusing on generalized aspects of SDG.

On the Ecological Niche of the West

2025-03-29T13:56:11+02:00

The Western Civilization, comprising Western Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, challenges the definition of civilization as a group of populations sharing a common geographic locus. However, its locus may be biogeographic rather than geographic. This study examined whether Western European and transoceanic Western nations share a common ecological niche. Results across 145 countries indicate that high steady rainfall and low ultraviolet radiation characterize and differentiate an encompassing West from Europe to Oceania. Moreover, these meteorological variables help explain the West’s expansion from its inception to the Carolingian Empire and the present. Owing to their weaker steady rainfall, Italy, Spain, and Portugal form a peripheral West, suggesting the need to study their cultural differentiation from the core West. However, their northern provinces may be part of the core ecological West. Provincial-level research is needed to better delineate the West’s frontiers.

Highlights:

The West is characterized by high steady rainfall & low ultraviolet radiation.
Exceptions are Italy, Spain & Portugal, which have insufficient steady rainfall.
Cultural differences between core & peripheral Western ecologies should be studied between & within Western countries.

A Year in Review: Key Milestones & Achievements of the European Journal of Geography in 2024

2025-02-08T13:59:59+02:00

The European Journal of Geography (EJG) Annual Report 2024 reflects on the pivotal role geography plays in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, urbanisation, geopolitical instability, and the rapid pace of digital transformation. The report highlights how geography continues to offer valuable insights and practical solutions for issues such as sustainable urban development, geography education, and societal transformation. In 2024, the journal published 24 thought-provoking articles spanning topics from urban geography to social inequality, underscoring its commitment to fostering meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue. As EJG’s global recognition grows, it continues to attract high-quality contributions and achieve notable success in major academic indexes. Looking ahead, the journal remains dedicated to advancing geographical research that addresses urgent European and global issues, welcoming new voices to shape the future of geography in 2025 and beyond.