DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e165458

Authors: Nomin Enkhtamir, Gabor Pirisi

Abstract: This study examines the spatial and economic dimensions of 247 small rural towns across Mongolia between 2015 and 2023, focusing on the interplay between traditional mainstay economic base types, livestock herding, sown area, enterprise activity (including mining, business, etc.), and changes in total population and age structure. We track demographic outcomes as changes in total population and the working-age share; component processes (births, deaths, migration) are not decomposed. Nonetheless, the spatial patterns we observe near transport corridors and mining towns are consistent with net in-migration. Drawing on economic base theory and functional rurality, the research uses standardized spatial datasets to classify settlements and track population structure in relation to economic specialization and infrastructure access. The findings reveal that livestock remains the most widespread economic base, particularly in central and western Mongolia, though increasingly vulnerable to environmental shocks. Enterprise activity has expanded significantly, especially in towns with access to rail and road networks, contributing to labor retention and demographic growth. Sown area intensity has remained concentrated in traditional grain-producing regions, with only modest expansion observed in some central and western provinces. Towns dependent on a single economic base, especially livestock or aging mining, experienced working age population decline, while towns with diversified or infrastructure-linked economies showed demographic resilience. These results contribute to the understanding of rural transformation in Mongolia and offer insights for targeted, decentralized development planning. Findings highlight the need for coordinated investment in diversified local economies to support demographic sustainability in small rural towns.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e162641

Authors: Elena Todorova, Miglena Zhiyanski

Abstract: This study suggests an understanding, based on the local perspectives, of the underlying reasons why the municipality of Velingrad, a mountainous region with abundant natural resources and promising tourism sector does not retain its population and harness its endogenous potential to develop sustainably. Q methodology is employed to better comprehend how people collectively perceive certain problems and their solutions. The results lead us to three well-defined perspectives that highlight high-disagreement areas where dialogue and negotiation are most needed, especially around tourism’s role, environmental trade-offs, and benefit-sharing mechanisms. The study revealed deep distrust in the governing system and a general sense of political and ecological alienation. The future of mountain villages is not perceived as a collective responsibility, but rather as a challenge they are expected to manage on their own. As a result of these insights, the study suggests changing the course of local development and reframing the management model into a more open community-based platform that integrates local voices and energy by involving them not only in framing the policies but also in the implementation and monitoring process. This study uses Q methodology to explore how local stakeholders perceive the factors influencing the socio-ecological framework that guides local management decisions.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e159882

Authors: Samira Alakbarova

Abstract: Strengthening the interrelations between spatial risk analysis and sustainable territorial development has emerged in recent years as one of the key directions in geographical and socio-economic research. This study employs a complex approach to ensure the integration of spatial risk factors into sustainable territorial development processes. The Shaki-Zagatala economic region of the Republic of Azerbaijan was selected as the pilot area within the framework of the research. In the contemporary context of increasing natural and technogenic risks, global climate change, and the growing complexity of socio-economic and territorial development processes, the importance of spatial risk analysis and management defines the relevance of this research. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of natural-technological processes occurring between 1950 and 2024 in the six administrative districts (Shaki, Zagatala, Gabala, Balaken, Oghuz, and Gakh) of the Shaki-Zagatala economic region. Statistical analyses are conducted to explore the relationship between population density and the intensity of natural-technological disasters. By applying a combination of advanced spatial-statistical methods, such as the Moran’s I, Getis-Ord Gi* and Analytic Hierarchy Process, the study aims to evaluate the correlation between population density and disaster frequency, identifying high-risk areas and their temporal patterns. In the presented article, as a result of the complex studies conducted to achieve the set objectives, a map of the spatial distribution of natural disaster risks in the Shaki-Zagatala economic region has been developed. The results obtained allow for the identification of the area’s risk profile and the establishment of key priorities for long-term growth. A strategic planning model has been developed based on the identified opportunities and challenges in the field of sustainable territorial development.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e157082

Authors: Oleksiy Gnatiuk, Anna Klymenko

Abstract: This study explores the drivers (explanatory factors) and spatial patterns of suburban development in Vinnytsia, a second-tier Ukrainian city, within the broader context of post-socialist urban transformation. The objective of the paper is to identify the drivers of suburban development of Vinnytsia as a second-tier Ukrainian city at the level of individual settlements and to uncover the general spatial patterns of its suburban area. Drawing on spatial features of suburbanisation including population change, housing modernisation, real estate market activity, and construction permits, the research reveals a distinct centre–periphery structure of the suburban area, asymmetrically distributed along the southwest-northeast axis. The suburban area comprises three quasi-concentric zones, each exhibiting varying levels and forms of suburban development. The first zone, directly adjacent to the city, is dominated by classical western-type suburbanisation, involving the influx of affluent residents and the emergence of low-rise and multi-storey housing. The second zone, stretching 15–20 km from the city centre, is characterised by housing modernisation rather than new construction, with commercial activity concentrated near major highways. The third zone, up to 30 km away, shows only partial transformation, mainly through the renovation of existing homes, which may be equally referred to both suburban and peri-urban development. Logistic regression confirms proximity to the central city as the most influential factor across all indicators, while landscape features and access to highways also contribute significantly. The research identifies asymmetries rooted in both natural landscape preferences and the spatial configuration of the city itself. Notably, administrative reforms have failed to align governance boundaries with functional suburban integration. The study concludes that suburbanisation in Vinnytsia reflects hybrid dynamics of post-socialist development, merging unregulated urban expansion with spontaneous and policy-driven modernisation. The findings offer insights for spatial planning in second-tier cities, advocating for more integrated approaches to suburban and peri-urban governance.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e131436

Authors: Gergana Nikolova, Emilia Patarchanova

Abstract: Healthcare is an activity of great humanitarian and social importance. Good health is a right of every human being, an asset and a source of economic and social stability. The health status of the population is crucial for reducing poverty and at the same time contributes to sustainable territorial development. Despite the established principles of accessibility and equality in the use of medical assistance and the existence of a valid health card, our research has shown that the population has different access to facilities and centers for medical assistance at the regional and local level. The localization and concentration of healthcare facilities and all other elements of the healthcare system in the studied Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) 3 area—the Kyustendil region, Bulgaria—are tied to the largest ities in the region and the administrative centers of the municipalities. This poses a problem for the population from the remote settlements of the district, which has considerable difficulties in obtaining medical care even in emergency cases and in accessing specialized hospitals, laboratories, etc. The geographical characteristics of the area have a significant impact on the time needed to cover the distance between the villages and the towns where the health facilities are located. Hence the specific case study to solve this problem at the local and regional level. The conducted research tries to solve this case study, which was made in the studied area, but is also relevant for many other areas in Bulgaria. It is important to note that the Kyustendil region has very good indicators of health infrastructure and supply of health professionals, which make it one of the leading places in Bulgaria. However, part of the population of the district has very difficult access to the healthcare system, which is the main reason for the higher premature mortality due to diseases, especially among the population living in the villages. An in-depth spatial analysis of the territorial location of all elements of the health system and the provision of specialist doctors was carried out. The results obtained are visualized through graphics and a map created with GIS software.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e115392

Authors: Olufemi Anjorin

Abstract: Transportation constitutes one of the pivotal systems crucial to the advancement of so-cioeconomic conditions. However, numerous communities, particularly in Nigeria, face a multitude of transportation challenges. The primary objective of this study is to examine the spatial arrangement of transportation facilities in Adamawa State, Nigeria, with the intention of identifying spatial-related challenges confronting the transportation sector and the socioeconomic development of the state. During the period spanning 2018 to 2019, an investigation into the spatial distribution pattern of transport facilities within the state was conducted. To gather data pertaining to the geographical concentration and developmental trajectory of the transportation system in the state, the ArcGIS 10.5 Length Calculation Module, Google Earth Pro, and questionnaire administration were employed. Data were subjected to inferential statistical analysis, results were tabulated, and maps were generated. The findings unveiled three distinct modes of transit, namely road, water, and air, with roads emerging as the most prominent option. Furthermore, the state exhibited a higher prevalence of paved (engineered but untarred) roads compared to tarred roads. Moreover, an analysis of the spatial pattern encompassing the state’s population and road network revealed that the length and density of tarred roads were greater in less populated Local Government Areas as opposed to the more populated ones. Ultimately, the road network pattern has yielded negative consequences for the state’s development. In light of these findings, the study puts forth recommendations that emphasize the urgent need to tar the numerous paved roads within the state in order to enhance connectivity with markets and other urban-centric facilities.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e113933

Authors: Valentin Kotsakov, Vasil Marinov, Mariana Assenova, Rumen Minkovski

Abstract: The paper presents the results from the application of the holistic approach to employability based on secondary data and a questionnaire survey of the human resources employed in the hotel and restaurant sector (198) and semi-structured interviews with tourism sector employers (11) in the municipality of Devin, Bulgaria. The results outline some of the dimensions of employability, existing problems of employability and their potential solutions. It is typical for the municipality of Devin that a large part of the local population in the region is directly dependent on tourism. This leads to relatively low staff turnover and high motivation to offer a quality tourism product. Respondents exhibit a high self-assessment of their own knowledge, skills and attitude in terms of development of tourism, but this does not correspond to the real situation given their activities to improve their own skills during the pandemic period closure. Recommendations are proposed for upgrading the qualification of staff at municipal and enterprise level.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e102519

Authors: Mariela Nekova

Abstract: The significance of review articles has been proved. This type of articles is especially necessary now, when immediate actions to save an important economic sector must be taken. The present research aims to determine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on one of the most important elements of tourism – the accommodation facilities, through bibliometric analysis. In order to achieve this goal, the VOSviewer software was used, and data from one of the world’s largest databases of scientific production – the Web of Science, was collected. The bibliographic coupling approach was used in the bibliometric analysis. The bibliometric analysis was followed by content analysis of the most cited studies from each cluster. The effects of COVID-19 on the accommodation facilities are summarized and classified by groups.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e89215

Authors: Aleksandra Ravnachka, Velimira Stoyanova

Abstract: Light industry is one of the most important and priority industries in Bulgarian economy. It includes the production of textiles, clothing, and leather. Its development affects the state of the country’s overall economy. Despite the numerous studies that use GIS, in Bulgaria there have been no publications on the application of statistical analysis with the use of ArcGIS software. This study aims to apply Geographic cluster analysis using ArcGIS software to analyze the light industry in Bulgaria as of 2010, 2015, and 2020. The grouping of areas by selected indicators in the present study was performed with the Grouping Analysis tool. NO_SPATIAL_CONSTRAINT was selected for the Spatial Constraints parameter and FIND_SEED_LOCATIONS – for the Initialization Method. In this case, we used the K-Means algorithm to partition features into groups. That algorithm is one of the most popular and widely used clustering algorithms in GIS applications. The areas were grouped into 10 clusters. The selection of indicators on which the clustering procedure was based, is following the generally accepted indicators for assessing the state and importance of the food industry in the structure of the economy. The following indicators were used: output for 2010, 2015, and 2020; number of employees and export earnings as of 2010, 2015, and 2020, for each administrative-territorial unit. The spatial distribution of the population, in combination with the historical and the modern economic development of the settlements, forms the regional differences in the development of the light industry in the country. The cluster analysis of certain indicators for the assessment of the light industry at the NUTS 3 level as of 2010, 2015, and 2020, shows some changes in the spatial development trends of the industry. The cluster analysis shows that there are slight spatial differences in production at the NUTS 3 level, with large consumer centers and markets being the most important.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.e72766

Authors: Miglena Zhiyanski, Maria Glushkova, Yonko Dodev, Mariam Bozhilova, Rositsa Yaneva, Desislava Hristova, Lidiya Semerdzhieva

Abstract: The paper focuses on the role of the Natural Heritage in Forest Areas (NHFA) as a resource that can generate economic, social and environmental benefits for society through the provision of a wide range of cultural ecosystem services. In the assessment of the role of NHFA, the approach for assessment and mapping of ES in a given territorial scope was applied in a pilot region of Velingrad Municipality, focusing on the capacity of the forest ecosystems to provide cultural ecosystem benefits and services to the people. The study confirms that the identification of NHFA could be a powerful driver for regional development by creating significant positive effects such as improving sustainable cultural tourism in forests, diversifying forestry and supporting sustainable development and management of forest areas. The integration of the cultural services of NHFA into forest-related legislation can encourage job creation in different sectors and for different levels of employment, education and cultural training. Evaluation and mapping of ecosystem services is an appropriate tool to support the development of a concept and methods for assessing and mapping the general knowledge framework for NHFA policy in Bulgaria by applying an interdisciplinary approach.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2020.43.14

Authors: Kamen Petrov

Abstract: The article is devoted to the problems accompanying the development of world cities and the trends in the formation and functioning of global urban networks. A review and analysis of the basic concepts for the development and formation of world cities and their functional characteristics is made. Thus, the formation and development of global cities has several dimensions: geographical, economic, demographic and others. The ongoing processes of urbanization and globalization of socio-economic relations lead to the formation of transnational networks of cities through spatial interaction between global urban centers. The intensification of these processes is also dictated by the dynamic development of new technologies, which puts global cities as centers of development and growth. Thus, global cities appear as a center of attraction and form the new geoeconomic system of the new century.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2020.43.7

Authors: Milena Stoyanova

Abstract: The wine sector is a traditional industry for Bulgaria, which is of particular importance in rural areas, as it creates employment, generates income for local people, solves some of the demographic problems, promotes sustainable agriculture, diversifies the local economy. Nationwide, the sector has huge export potential and expanding markets worldwide, increasing competitiveness and earnings in the overall economy, improve its image abroad, promotes the development of other economic sectors such as tourism and food industry. The aim of the paper is to make a general overview of wine production in the XXI century based on analyzes of statistical data on the wine industry in Bulgaria for the research period.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2019.41.11

Authors: Rahman Nurković

Abstract: This paper analyses changes in the modern industrialized pellet manufacturing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, transition of industrial manufacturing, changes in industrial enterprises and changes in industrial branches. Very important changes, closely connected with the introduction of technical- technological innovations and occurrences of new industrial pellet products, have been made in the industrial structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pellet manufacturing from renewable sources of wood energy is ensured for the future as well. Pellet is manufactured from quality dry sawdust, from local resources, our forests, and it is manufactured in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Manufacturing pellet in such way ensures a constant price stability. Under pressure, sawdust turns into bio-fuel which gives of clean and highly efficient thermal energy during burning. Through technological process of pellet manufacturing, raw materials are dried which maximally decreases moisture, and this ensures excellent burning and high energy value. The environmental impact of pellet is minimized because the normal amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is not increased.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2019.41.9

Authors: Ekaterina Maslarska

Abstract: Last few years the topic of immigrant’s crisis in Europe is one of the top priorities for European union. The scope and the matter of this problem is very important, as it relates to finance, politics and the future of the old continent. The importance of the problem is mainly related to its scale. Previously the European parliament stated that the current migration crisis is the worst since World War II. In 2015 and 2016 alone, more than 2.5 million people applied for asylum in the EU, while more than 2,030 people are thought to have lost their lives in the Mediterranean in the first six months of 2017 alone. The aim of the publication is to make a quick overview of the current state of immigrant’s integration policies in the European Union. The publication includes the newest data regarding the integration of immigrants in EU. Part of it are Eurostat data base from the last few years and the latest survey of Eurobarometer 469 (April 2018). Also, there are presented the latest analysis on the topic, regarding the integration of immigrants. The purpose of this publication is to show the importance of the problem and the policies of the EU which are attempting to solve the issues. The importance of the integration of immigrants will grow in future for sure. Opinions of the EU citizens are shown in the publication and they illustrate that there are still some significant variations in perception of immigrant integration. This would be a big opportunity and a challenge for the EU. The role of the policies of the Union is to improve the approaches of the countries and to help them to create a smooth process of the integration.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2019.41.12

Authors: Rossen Koroutchev

Abstract: This paper researches the Night-time public transport in Madrid, one of the most famous by its night-life European city. By explaining the history of its night-time transport since 1974, when 11 night urban lines have been created, an analysis of the current situation is presented, which concerns the night transport extension to the rest of the municipalities inside Madrid area. Based on official statistical data and surveys provided by the corresponding municipality authorities, the efficiency of two interurban night-time lines of interest is analyzed. The methodology uses demographic and network analysis based on the passenger patterns during 2017. Quantitative graph measures of the Madrid’s night transport such as diameter and clustering are also presented. Finally, some comments and recommendations for improving the current city´s night-time public transport, as well as some future extensions of the analysis are presented.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2019.40.7

Authors: Mariana Soultanova

Abstract: Investigation on the public opinion of people in the Smolyan region focuses on determining the public awareness of sustainable development (SD) and the policies related to it, on the one hand, as well as finding out if the people from this region take actions, corresponding to SD, without associating them with it, on the other hand. The article also contributes to revealing the barriers which arise with the implementation of SD, being laid down in the Regional Strategy for Development of the Smolyan Region for 2014-2025. The research toolkit includes a survey (on-line), using Google’s functions of data collection and processing. To come to the most adequate and applicable conclusions on mountain regional development, the territorial scope of the study is based on the idea that a "region" is considered to be a mountainous territorial system within an area that includes all mountainous municipalities according to all typologies.

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DOI: 10.3897/jbgs.2018.39.5

Authors: Kliment Naydenov

Abstract: The number of countries that are considered highly urbanized has increased dramatically in recent decades and is expected to continue to grow in the coming decades. The world is entering the era of sustainable urbanization. By 2030, the world is predicted to have 41 mega cities. Megalopolis is the laboratory of a new urban way of life that spreads out into the civilized world. Today, it is a uniting of all activities related to the production of value added. They are the basis of what we call the globalization of the economy. Continued urbanization means that societies must continue to provide more food, more employment, more housing and more transport to the growing number of citizens. Megalopolis today is becoming a vulnerable place and is directly affected by climate change. If climate change continues and the appropriate measures are not taken, the urban way of life will depend on different natural cataclysms such as storms, droughts, as well as rising sea levels and heat waves. Today, urbanization is uncontrollable, megalopolises are growing without planning, and the urban spaces in the world are extremely small.

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