Brownfields sometimes represent a development problem but at the same time also hold development potential. With accurate and up-to-date information it is possible to assure the regeneration process is effective; therefore we investigated in detail the development of the process of brownfields management in two countries: Slovenia and the Czech Republic (the Moravian-Silesian Region). The article compares the process of development of databases and the data itself in both selected case studies, and evaluates and identifies the patterns of change in brownfields with a focus on regenerated sites. In the period 2017–2022 we have noticed a growing number of brownfields included in databases in both selected cases, despite the share of regenerated brownfield sites that have been excluded from the database. Both study cases show that ensuring continuity of work in the process of monitoring brownfields and knowledge transfer are critical for sustainable brownfield management and successful regeneration. Based on the comparisons, recommendations are summarised on how to make the database an effective tool that could be relevant to more sustainable brownfield development and land recycling.

High-quality recreation contributes significantly to life satisfaction. In recent decades, this field has experienced intense changes. Recreational activities and their popularity are changing, even if the core of the most common activities (walking, hiking, cycling, swimming...) remains fairly stable. Many of the most widespread recreational activities are linked to specific recreational infrastructure, so the existence of an adequate and accessible recreational infrastructure is also important in terms of quality of life. In addition, recreational activities, especially outdoor recreation activities, also play a significant role in the context of tourism. In tourism areas, tourists are an important segment of recreational infrastructure users, and an attractive recreational infrastructure is often one of the factors influencing the choice of a particular destination. Accordingly, Slovenian tourism policy also pays a lot of attention to the tourism potential of outdoor recreation. Nevertheless, knowledge about the state of recreational infrastructure in Slovenia is very patchy, and data on recreational infrastructure is usually not systematically collected or does not exist at all. In order to enable the analysis of this important content area, we have created a typology of recreational infrastructure and compiled its inventory through extensive data collection. Various categories of recreational infrastructure are presented in the form of specific spatial layers with different attributes. Our research focused on the question of what are the main characteristics of recreational infrastructure in Slovenia, what is its spatial distribution and what are its specific characteristics in tourist areas. The characteristics of recreational infrastructure are influenced by demand, the specific environmental/geographical requirements of individual recreational activities as well as by various policies. The growing heterogeneity of recreational infrastructure and the emergence of new types of infrastructure are evident.

This paper presents a multi-criteria decision-making model for assessing the need for priority treatment of potentially contaminated sites (PCSs) in Slovenia, with the aim of reducing risks to human health and preventing further environmental degradation, and to support the establishment of a national PCS management system. We established and developed a model consisting of four criteria and nine indicators reflecting environmental sensitivity and human-health risk. Application of the model shows that 35 sites (5%) fall into the highest vulnerability class, while additional 196 sites require accelerated investigation or remediation. The largest share of sites (248) exhibits a moderate need for priority treatment. Spatial analysis reveals that many PCSs are located on permeable geological formations, near surface waters, or within water protection zones, underscoring their exposure to contaminant migration. These vulnerabilities are further amplified by increasing climate-related hazards, such as extreme precipitation and flooding. The proposed approach provides an objective basis for identifying the most critical sites where interventions would yield the greatest environmental, social, and economic benefits. It supports more strategic decision making, optimizes resource allocation, and strengthens Slovenia’s capacity to implement national and European environmental and climate commitments.

The protection of cultural heritage in Slovenia is organised by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia (IPCHS), and the Register of Protection Regimes is compiled by the Register of Immovable Cultural Heritage, which includes over 32,000 cultural heritage units. Entry in the register recognises the value of the listed building or site as cultural heritage and its classification as a cultural monument of local or national importance determines the way in which it is protected. A spatial analysis and review of the official national heritage register shows that the inscription of heritage buildings and sites often depends on the commitment of regional conservators, while the declaration of a cultural monument of local or national importance depends on political will, awareness and public engagement. Many areas with immovable cultural heritage also pose a major challenge for spatial planning. The balancing of needs and interests in spatial planning at all levels, but especially at the local level, often leads to conflicts and quick, unprofessional decisions. A particular problem is the systematic identification and monitoring of heritage at risk, which should ensure proactive role on more endangered but culturally valuable objects. As endangerment screening is not systematic at the national level and has only been carried out on a very limited scale, we developed a simple participatory mapping application in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. As part of the study, we tested the application with geography students and students of ethnology and cultural anthropology at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, who visited and inventoried more than 1000 cultural heritage units. Through participatory mapping and cooperation between different disciplines, it is possible to record a larger number of cultural heritage units and identify critical areas/objects in poor condition more quickly and in a timely manner. We estimate that 10% of ICH in Slovenia is seriously at risk, which demands quick response with targeted protection, conservation and renovation.

The European Union's Green Deal aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, boost the economy with green technology, create sustainable industry and mobility, and reduce pollution. Alongside environmental and economic goals, it also emphasises social justice and inclusion for all. The Green Transition is particularly important at regional level, as it is strongly linked to regional resources and its success depends on the potential and capacity of regions to transform themselves into green, sustainable and socially just environments with thriving economies. This monograph ('Green Transition at the Regional Level') is a contribution to this. The authors address the spatial aspects of the energy transition and the issue of local energy concepts, assessing the role of revitalising functionally degraded areas for the green transition and undeveloped building land in the light of sustainable mobility. In the area of mobility, the focus is on mobility poverty and the role of cycling for the green transition, two chapters deal with agricultural adaptation and area branding as an approach to rural development, and the last chapter presents the experience of strategic development and innovation partnerships, using the circular economy as an example. Evropska unija želi z Zelenim dogovorom do leta 2050 doseči podnebno nevtralnost Evrope, spodbuditi gospodarstvo z zeleno tehnologijo, ustvariti trajnostno industrijo in mobilnost ter zmanjšati onesnaževanje. Ob okoljskih in ekonomskih ciljih izpostavlja tudi socialno pravičnost in vključevanje vseh. Zeleni prehod je pomemben še zlasti na regionalni ravni, saj je močno navezan na regionalne vire, njegov uspeh pa odvisen od možnosti in usposobljenosti regij za preoblikovanje v zelena, trajnostno naravnana in socialno pravična okolja z uspešnim gospodarstvom. Prispevek k temu je tudi ta monografija. Avtorji v njej obravnavajo prostorske vidike energetskega prehoda in problematiko lokalnih energetskih konceptov, vrednotijo vlogo oživljanja funkcionalno razvrednotenih območij za zeleni prehod ter nezazidana stavbna zemljišča v luči trajnostne mobilnosti. Na področju mobilnosti sta v ospredju mobilnostna revščina ter vloga kolesarjenja za zeleni prehod, dve poglavji se nanašata na prilagajanje kmetijstva ter znamčenje območij kot pristopa k razvoju podeželja, zadnje poglavje pa na primeru krožnega gospodarstva predstavlja izkušnje s strateškimi razvojno-inovacijskimi partnerstvi.