Themes, approaches, and methods in the geographical analysis of Czech and Slovak parliamentary elections: a systematic review

This article reviews the field of electoral geography in Czechia and Slovakia. It systematically analyses selected publications to identify the most and least frequently researched topics, theories, and methods. Most of the analyzed studies strived to determine the factors underlying the uneven geographical distribution of election results. Issues of turnout and geographical representation were the least common. The cleavage theory was the most frequently applied theoretical approach, although most studies did not apply any theory. Only one study used the qualitative methodology, whereas the rest relied on quantitative methods. Most often, analyses were performed at the scale of districts and municipalities. The article identifies possible directions for future research in the electoral geography of Czechia and Slovakia.

Global horizontal irradiation: spatio-temporal variability on a regional scale in the south of the Pampeana region (Argentina)

The objective of this work is to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) on a regional scale and its relationship with frequent synoptic situations in the south of the Pampeana region (Argentina). It was verified that the latitudinal pattern of distribution of the GHI is modified in the region by cloud cover, which is in turn determined by the seasonal dynamics of action centers and the passage of fronts in summer and winter. The South America Monsoon System (SAMS) defines differential situations of cloudiness and rainfall in the region, which affect GHI. GHI increased successively between the decades 1981–2010, a factor associated with the variability of rainfall that characterizes the region.

The influence of mayors as candidates in the 2017 parliamentary elections on voter decision-making in Czechia

Local activities of electoral candidates represent one of the key factors influencing voting behaviour. Many studies have shown an elevated electoral support for candidates in the municipality of their residence and the surrounding region. By using the example of mayors who candidated in the 2017 Czech parliamentary elections, this article proves that this voting behaviour is manifested not only through the territorial concentration of preferential votes, but also through higher local electoral support of political parties represented by these candidates. This so-called friends and neighbours effect is stronger in smaller, less populous municipalities. Its spatial extent is not necessarily limited to the respective municipality, but if a well-known and popular mayor appears at the top of the regional candidate list, it can affect voters living many kilometers away, especially in non-metropolitan areas.

The effect of public space indicators on the rural district’s life quality in Kuhdasht county, Iran

This article evaluates nine rural districts in Kuhdasht county, Iran, with a population of 3535 between 2013–2016. We address the following two questions: First, what are the most important criteria and effective indicators in the rural population’s quality life enhancement? Second, is there any significant relationship between the public space indicators and quality life enhancement in the case study area? Six factors, including perceptual vision, buildings skeletons, culture and communities, activities, social interaction, and the environment from local peoples’ perspectives, explained 52.6 percent of the total variable variances. The Friedman test showed a significant difference among criteria of esthetics, semantic-perceptual, and activity-based functional at the alpha level of 0.01. The fitting growth regression model showed that the positive effect of the public space indicators on the rural population’s vitality and dynamism quality enhancement was about 0.723, indicating a significant relationship between them. It also stated a vital role of public space indicators in the rural population’s vitality and dynamism quality enhancement in the study area. The most important indicators were those of economic, social, and cultural dynamism and the body and space indicators.

Gender differentials in poverty among migrants in rural border communities of Oyo state, Nigeria

The study examined relative poverty among migrant men and women in rural border communities of the Oyo State. Three rural border settlements were randomly selected in Atisbo and Saki-west Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State. Two hundred and four (204) questionnaires were administered to the father and mother in 102 migrant households and 198 questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the study revealed that women have a higher poverty level than men. Also, the Principal Component Analysis revealed that the high loadings of factors on component one (Dwelling Conditions), for both men and women, imply inadequate living conditions. This indicates the need for improved dwelling conditions for the migrants and also the need to focus on gender-based poverty interventions especially among females, as they are more affected by poverty.

Development and state of the art of landscape science in Bulgaria

The establishment of International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE), European Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE-Europe and European Landscape Convention (2000) contribute and support the exchange of different concepts and methods in the field of landscape science, and also scientific cooperation between European countries. However, the specifics of landscape science in Bulgaria are little known outside the country. This article deals with the development and status of landscape science in Bulgaria. It describes its main stages in the historical development, its main characteristics and makes some general conclusions and critical notes about the future development of landscape science in Bulgaria.

Survey on economic considerations and decisions of key geodata providers and users in Czech public administration

This paper presents the results of an empirical economic data-based survey of the costs and revenues of geographical data and Web services across public administration in Czechia. The survey was composed of questionnaires and interviews. The data was collected from the 19 biggest public producers of geographical information and 25 organizations that use geographical information. The results focus on the economic consequences of data opening, splitting finances within public administration bodies, the prioritization of activities related to geographical information, licensing issues and life cycle planning etc. We also consider user opinions on the restrictions on the (re)use of geographical information of public administration, including open data.