The collapse of the socialist regime led to significant changes in migration patterns, garnering considerable attention in geographical research. However, despite the increased interest, many studies on internal migration lack a detailed analysis of its spatial aspects. Spatial autocorrelation methods can reveal spatial patterns, but so far they have not been applied in the detailed research of internal migration in post-socialist countries. The aim of this study is to explore the spatial patterns of internal migration with regard to intra-regional and inter-regional migration processes using selected indicators of spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran’s I, Anselin local Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistic) with Slovakia as a case study. A partial goal is to evaluate the benefits of applying these methods in the assessment of internal migration. Local indicators of spatial autocorrelation demonstrated significant differentiation of both intra-regional and inter-regional migration processes. The dominant intra-regional process is the decentralization of the population, which is very intensive in the regions of the largest towns and cities. Inter-regional migration displays spatial polarisation, emphasizing the importance of the location of key economic centres. The methodology employed in this study clearly displays the clusters of municipalities with above-average and below-average values. This approach enables the identification and cartographic interpretation of specific municipalities where migration contributes the most to the spatial redistribution of the population. The study serves as a valuable framework for similar analyses, emphasizing the broader applicability of spatial autocorrelation methods in studying migration patterns.

Small towns, compared to larger cities, are specific group of municipalities with weaker performance in many spheres of socio-economic development. The aim of the paper is to comprehensively evaluate development of twelve small towns in the region of East Slovakia over the centuries up to present. The paper deals with question how their demographic and economic developments have been reciprocally influenced under particular historical circumstances. Using various sources of statistical data and employing traditional historical, mathematical-statistical and cartographical methods, regularities and patterns were identified that enabled us to categorize small towns and evaluate their development trajectories and current roles in the settlement system. In the most cases, they are still valid nodes for their hinterlands even though their past situation has been unfavourable.

Majority of research on urban development perceive migration as internally homogeneous phenomenon that influences growth and spatial redistribution of population. This enables to identify certain general migration patterns, but understanding regularities and consequences requires looking at internal structure of migration. This paper aims to visualise the impact of selective migration to the population structures across multiple spatial scales and in a complex way taking Slovakia as the case study. By this means spatial patterns of migration are demonstrated in a more efficient way. The resulting maps show the impact of migration is selective at various spatial levels regarding age and educational attainment. In comparison with general migration, selective migration shows stronger spatial polarisation in Slovakia.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) plants undoubtedly represent an integral and irreplaceable element in rural energy transition and sustainable waste management. In our study, we focus on an advanced understanding of the dynamics behind the changing perceptions of AD plants in host communities in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The surveyed AD plant case studies were selected to represent best-practice examples of AD plant operations in their countries. By means of a comparative survey in three host communities, we seek to learn more about the shift in perceptions of AD plants between their planning and operational phases. We find that, although our cases are considered best-practice examples of AD plant operations, their overall support in their communities dramatically dropped in the operational phase consequent to real-life experience with living in the neighbourhood of an AD plant. Additionally, our findings indicate that respondents who reported the most severe deterioration of AD plant perceptions were, surprisingly, those who had participated in the planning process more than other respondents. The most frequently mentioned type of participation in the planning phase was reported to be visits to the local administration office to inspect an AD plant’s planning documentation. We argue that deteriorating perceptions of best-practice examples of AD plant operations negatively impact the further development and acceptance of the biogas sector in Eastern Europe. The element of acceptance by the locals of AD plant operations urgently requires reflection in the definition of best practices to inspire and upgrade both existing and planned biogas energy projects.

Commuting to work is one of the most important forms of spatial mobility of the population. The mode of transport is one of its key characteristics. However, its spa-tial variability has so far been little explored, which is also due to the lack of reliable sta-tistical data. The census in Slovakia in 2021 addressed this issue, offering an opportunity to examine the use of individual modes of transport at various spatial levels, and in relation to the characteristics of commuters. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the spatial differentiation of intra-municipal and inter-municipal daily commuting to work according to the main mode of transport used, and in relation to the age of the commuters. The basic spatial framework of the study is the system of functional urban regions in Slovakia. By applying statistical methods and cartographic visualization, the results demonstrating the spatial variability in the mode of transport were achieved. Regularities were also iden-tified in relation to various age categories of commuters. In addition, the study indicated a significant influence of the social-economic conditions and orography of specific territo-ries on the preference for commuting mode. The results have the potential to contribute to more effective spatial planning or investments in various forms of transport infrastruc-ture. At the same time, it is an initial study that encourages the examination of spatial pat-terns and forms of daily commuting in relation to other characteristics of commuters or geographical characteristics of the affected areas. The knowledge from this study is par-tially transferable to countries where similar statistical data are not available. URL: https://www.gcass.science.upjs.sk/