The paper aims to compare the existing spatial planning system in both countries, their spatial planning laws, documents and planning approaches. It focuses on the level of land use and urban planning instruments at the local level. It addresses the administrative and procedural characteristics of the two countries as well as experiences and examples of best practices that can be shared in the future. The results presented show that the countries are quite similar in terms of both the planning system and the typology of spatial planning acts. There are clearer differences in the planning approaches at the local level and in the current challenges regarding the stakeholders' participation in the planning processes.

Maritime spatial planning (MSP) has been developing for years on the basis of international commitments, national legislations, and professional practices. Projects under European Territorial Cooperation have also made an important contribution to its development. They were designed to support EU countries in the implementation of MSP. The projects implemented in Slovenia always covered the entire national sea and coastal zone. In accordance with the MSP Directive, the countries of Northern Adriatic are currently preparing the first generation of maritime spatial plans, largely based on the experience and results gained from these projects. This article presents the results of research aimed at assessing the contribution of the projects to the preparation of the first plan in Slovenia. Using a descriptive research method, a detailed analysis of the results of seven projects was conducted and compared with the content of the draft plan. A comparison was made and the proportion of the results implementation in the draft plan was determined for the following structural elements: development baselines, objectives and guidelines; expert bases; stakeholders and public participation; sectoral interests; administrative competences; international dimension; and databases and analytical tools. A high degree of coherence was found, showing the obvious contribution of the projects at the methodological and structural levels.

This research, conducted as part of the European project PA-MAP (Participatory Approach to Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Environments), investigates citizens’ perceptions of air pollution in two European cities: Turin (Italy) and Dublin (Ireland). We systematically collected social data through semi-structured surveys distributed via online platforms. Our aim was to gather comprehensive information on the perception of pollution sources and the effectiveness of control systems. We examined citizens’ habits and their suggestions to improve air quality. The results revealed the following: (1) In Turin, the perception of air pollution significantly influences individuals’ self-assessments of health. Consequently, increased vigilance is required to mitigate environmental health risks and to disseminate information on air quality and effective practices for reducing air pollution. (2) The use of sustainable transportation in Turin is hindered due to the inadequate maintenance of cycling infrastructure. Citizens prefer to use cars or trains, which facilitate rapid travel. (3) In Dublin, greater sensitivity to the problem of air pollution has emerged, and the use of sustainable means of transport is facilitated via ad hoc infrastructure. These results provide empirical evidence to policymakers to support the promotion of concrete local actions through which to improve air quality.

Work at home and work from home are becoming the subject of interdisciplinary research in the current social conditions. Slovenia, as a post-transition country, has specific experience in terms of its regulation, as the former socialist and later transition period were relatively tolerant of various forms of work at home. The article presents the results of research aimed at studying current normative provisions for the organization of work at home, its actual spatial and program scope, and its correlation with building typology and morphology. Using a descriptive research method and by analyzing existing databases in the GIS environment, we found that work at home is a very extensive phenomenon in Slovenia. Despite the effective instruments in the fields of spatial planning, public administration, tax system, and employment legal relationships, its scope is mainly a consequence of historical tolerance, as this form of work has been legally organized and desirable for decades. We found that various urban characteristics did not significantly affect its occurrence in the past. The differences are reflected only in the extent of business activities that can be carried out in residential areas and differ according to the distance from urban centers. In order for the regulation of work at home to become even more efficient in the future, it is necessary to define more detailed criteria, especially in terms of its program regulation and monitoring of the spatial situation.

Italy and Slovenia have recently adopted their first Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP). These plans belong to a new generation of spatial planning acts that introduce numerous innovations. This article presents the differences and similarities between the Italian and Slovenian MSP. The aim is to determine how a new planning approach can support joint spatial development and management in a transboundary perspective with particular reference to the cross-border area of the Gulf of Venice. Descriptive and comparative scientific methods were applied in the study. We analysed the structure of both plans and the content of the individual planning instruments and tools for three key sectors: Fisheries, Maritime Transport and Nature Conservation. We found that both plans offer new opportunities for transboundary spatial coordination and planning, while the process of preparing the plans themselves is particularly important. Both plans provide instruments to address transboundary environmental impacts, spatial development and sectoral management regimes. The implementation tools include provisions on the spatial, temporal and technical conditions for carrying out a particular activity at sea. The Italian plan adopts a strategic approach that offers possibilities for intersectoral and cross-border planning coordination. The Slovenian plan is more detailed and binding. Regardless of individual differences, the adoption of both plans represents a major step towards achieving the common goals of sustainable spatial development in the shared marine area of the Gulf of Venice.

Because of their proximity to the border and their peripheral character compared to the rest of a country’s territory, border areas are often poorly developed (title: 'Promoting the development of disadvantaged border areas in Slovenia'). Therefore, regional policy pays special attention to them. In Slovenia, this has been the case since 1975, with ninety municipalities currently designated as disadvantaged border areas. To facilitate their comprehensive development, the Slovenian government set up a program to promote their development that will connect and harmonize the efforts of all ministries in developing these areas. Designing this program relied on past experience in promoting poorly developed areas and, to make the program as comprehensive as possible, the following aspects were addressed: quality of living, economic development, access to services of general and economic interest, demographic changes, sustainable development and mobility, cross-border cooperation, and an overall developmental or systemic framework to promote the development of individual areas. The basic aim was to establish how to comprehensively promote border area development. To adapt the system for promoting border area development to the needs of individual municipalities as much as possible, a typology of these areas was first produced, which made it possible to compare them against one another and, most importantly, against other Slovenian municipalities. Second, questionnaires were produced for representatives of the municipalities and representatives of the border areas’ residents. Based on the respondents’ feedback, thematic categories were defined in detail and examined through an indicator analysis. Finally, a selection was made, along with detailed descriptions, of measures that either together or individually could help improve the situation in disadvantaged border areas.