Showing papers in "Geografie in 2014"

Cases onto themselves? :theory and research on ex-socialist urban environments

Abstract: SJÖBERG, Ö. (2014): Cases onto themselves? Theory and research on ex-socialist urban environments. Geografie, 119, No. 4, pp. 299–319. – Although the contribution of geographers to post-socialist urban studies has shown considerable vitality and resulted in a great volume of research, its impact on urban studies as a general field of inquiry is neither proportionate to the momentous changes since 1989 nor to the volume of research that has found its way into the literature. The entire field punches below its weight and, despite recent claims to the contrary, the prominence and visibility of this line of research beyond the confines of established communities of scholars working in the field of socialist and post-socialist urban studies remains insubstantial. This has been pointed out by scholars of a post-colonial bent, who argue that in order to move forward both the alleged parochialism and empiricism of much current geographical work on post-socialist cities and the deference to hegemonic strands of Westerns urban theory need to be shed. This paper attempts to put these claims in perspective, suggesting that while some of the problems decidedly issue from the manner in which of urban geographers themselves conduct and report research on post-socialist cities, post-colonial theory might not be an ideal way forward.

A Chronology of Landsliding and its Impacts on the Village of Halenkovice, Outer Western Carpathians

Abstract: BÍL, M., KREJČÍ, O., BÍLOVÁ, M., KUBEČEK, J., SEDONÍK, J., KREJČÍ, V. (2014): A Chronology of Landsliding and its Impacts on the Village of Halenkovice, Outer Western Carpathians. Geografie, 119, No. 4, pp. 342–363. – The article is based on an investigation of landsliding chronology coducted at the village of Halenkovice. (Outer Western Carpathians, Czechia). On the basis of historical data, (chronicles and other archive sources, air photos, old maps), field mapping and interviews of eyewitnesses, we determined six major and seven minor phases of landsliding in the village and its immediate neighborhood for the period 1915–2010. Inactive and active landslides currently cover 20% of the Halenkovice cadastral area. Landslides have strongly affected the development of the village itself. Since 1941, at least 9 houses have been destroyed by landslides, with many other local buildings and roads suffering significant damage. We also documented two examples of periodic reactivation of landslides.

Application of spatial weather generator for the assessment of climate change impacts on a river runoff

Abstract: KUCHAR, L., IWAŃSKI, S., JELONEK, L., SZALIŃSKA, W. (2014): Application of spatial weather generator for the assessment of climate change impacts on a river runoff. Geografie, 119, No. 1, pp. 1–25. – In this study, the impacts of climate change on streamflow are investigated. The ensemble of outputs from three different Global Circulation Models models: GISS, CCCM, GFDL developed for the emission scenario A1B were analyzed to infer projected changes in climatological conditions for the region of the Upper and Middle Odra basin. Obtaining hydrological scenarios of future changes for the scale of subcatchment required simulating short-term and fine scaled weather patterns for this area. SWGEN model (Spatial Weather GENerator) was applied to downscale projected changes of climatological conditions to the ones required by hydrological model temporal and spatial resolution. Daily time series of solar radiation, temperature and precipitation were generated for the reference period 1981–2000 and for the time horizon 2030 and 2050. The generated data from SWGEN model were integrated in the hydrological model NAM to simulate streamflow under changed conditions with daily time step. The results show considerable changes in annual and seasonal runoff daily distributions for selected study catchment in the future time horizons of 2030 and 2050.

Comparison of selected methods used for the calculation of the snowpack spatial distribution, Bystřice river basin, Czechia

Abstract: The knowledge of the water volume stored in the snowpack, including its spatial distribution, is vital for many hydrological applications. Such information is useful for hydrological forecasts and it is often used for the calibration of snowmelt runoff models. Data from four field measurements of the snow water equivalent (SWE) carried out in two winter seasons were assessed by ten interpolation methods. Measurements from both snow accumulation and snowmelt periods were evaluated. The ability of methods to predict SWE at unmeasured locations was assessed by the means of cross validation. The best prediction accuracy of SWE was achieved by means of multiple a simple linear regressions, residual kriging and cokriging methods. The accuracy was enhanced by the use of elevation, aspect, slope and vegetation as variables in the calculation of the SWE. Elevation and vegetation show a significant correlation with the SWE in the study area. The multiple regression gave best results for snow accumulation period. However, the spatial variability of SWE was not successfully explained for snowmelt periods.

Horizontal channel development on the upper Jizera and the upper Vltava rivers between 1938 and 2012

Abstract: HLOŽEK, M. (2014): Horizontal channel development on the upper Jizera and the upper Vltava Rivers between 1938 and 2012. Geografie, 119, No. 2, pp. 105–125. – Through the use of orthophotomaps from 1938 and 1952, this paper examines the development of horizontal channels of selected rivers in mountain areas of the Bohemian Massif. Two study sites in northern and southern part of Bohemian Massif were analysed in order to evaluate changes in river channels under similar natural conditions. Developments on the Upper Jizera River and its tributary, the Jizerka River, were investigated for the time period of 1938–2012. The Upper Vltava (Moldau) river, along with its tributaries, was studied in regards to developments taking place over the period of 1952–2012. Historical orthophotomaps were georeferenced and river banks were subsequently determined through the use of ArcGIS software. Both sites are situated in wide valleys with a low gradient, representing an exceptional relief in generally mountainous regions. Channel changes are documented via fluvial lakes, paleomeander remnants and meander cut-offs. Together with high precipitation rates in both basins, periods of extreme floodings seem to have a significant influence on channel development and transformation. Lateral erosion is somewhat less intense when compared to other rivers in similar natural environments across Central E urope. The estimated maximum lateral erosion in the Upper Jizera River basin is 0.5 m.year, whereas in the Vltava River basin, the lateral erosion reaches up to 1.1 m.year.

Een versnipperd veld: leergebied mens en maatschappij

Abstract: Sinds 2006 hebben scholen de mogelijkheid hun onderwijs te organiseren in leergebieden, zoals mens en maatschappij. Dat gebeurt vooral in vmbo-bb en -bk, sporadisch in havo/vwo. Docenten vinden dat het leer - gebied niet leidt tot meer samenhang in het lesaanbod, en dat de prestaties van leerlingen er niet op vooruitgaan.

De nieuwe treinstations: Stedelijke visitekaartjes?

Abstract: Dit jaar is het nieuwe Rotterdam Centraal geopend en ook in andere grote steden worden stations rigoureus verbouwd. Op het eerste gezicht een grote verbetering voor de reiziger. Maar zijn de stations ook visitekaartjes van de stad? Station en stad worden ontwikkeld volgens parallelle sporen.