This research presents a methodological framework for assessing the attractiveness of natural resources and landscapes and their importance for tourism development. The research is conducted in the area of Kopaonik Mountain in Serbia, which is partly, due to its natural values, declared a natural heritage of exceptional importance Protection Category I, i.e. the National Park. The goal of this paper is to identify and assess the tourist attractiveness of the natural resources (relief, hydrological and climatological characteristics, and vegetation) and landscapes in the National Park (NP) Kopaonik area. There are two independent methods used to assess the tourist attractiveness of natural resources and landscapes in this study. The first method is based on numerical and statistical analysis and quantitatively expresses the attractiveness of natural resources/elements (relief, climate, hydrology and vegetation) separately and all together, indicating the overall attractiveness of natural resources for tourism development. The second method envisages 8 criteria according to which natural landscapes are scored on a scale from 0 to 3. Based on a clearly defined model for assessing the attractiveness of natural resources and landscapes, we conclude that the area of Kopaonik National Park has a high level of tourist attractiveness.

Railways that were once utilized by conventional speed trains but now lay technologically outdated and neglected are scarcely in use today, with many lying abandoned. These rail networks sprawl across vast areas, posing a substantial impediment to sustainable land use and management. Our research advocates for the adoption of tourist itinerary/route as a viable model for the transformation of abandoned railways into sustainable and functional systems. This innovative concept involves repurposing abandoned railways into tourist itineraries with the aim of utilizing them for tourism and commercial ventures. Recognizing a knowledge gap, particularly the absence of scientifically grounded models, on a selected case study (abandoned regional railway number 223 in the Toplica District, Serbia), we develop and present a model for the identification and Tourist Evaluation of Abandoned Railways (TEAR model). The defined model comprises a total of 27 sub-indicators categorized into four groups of indicators: natural tourist values (NV), anthropogenic tourist values (AV), tourist attractiveness of the railway (TA), and functional values (FV). The findings from the TEAR model suggest that the abandoned railway holds significant tourism value, with a rating of ≥0.7. Specifically, three sets of indicators—NV, AV, and TA—indicate a high level of tourist values (≥0.7), while FV falls within a moderate range of tourist values (0.4 ≤ V < 0.7). This endeavor not only supports sustainable local and regional development but also contributes to the enhancement of rural landscapes and the revitalization of rural areas. Importantly, this initiative aligns directly and indirectly with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus fostering progress towards broader economic, societal, and environmental objectives.

Agricultural land represents a fundamental production resource and one of the key factors of ecological and economic stability in rural and peri-urban areas. In the municipality of Grocka, the impacts of urbanization, demographic decline, and changes in the agrarian production structure have led to spatial degradation and reduced economic sustainability. To assess the current state and potential of agriculture at the settlement level, a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was applied. The analysis encompassed demographic, production, environmental, and spatial indicators, normalized using the min–max scaling method and aggregated through a weighted sum. Criteria weights were defined based on a combination of literature review and expert judgment. The results reveal spatial variations in the level of sustainability and enable the identification of priority zones for agro-economic improvement, areas of moderate stability, and spaces suitable for developing sustainable agricultural models. Sensitivity testing (±20% variation in weights) confirmed the robustness of the results. The identified zones and proposed measures aim to revitalize degraded areas, preserve permanent crops, and strengthen production and institutional capacities. The applied methodological framework can serve as a tool for planning and policymaking in sustainable agricultural development, particularly in peri-urban contexts.

This study applies a quantitative model to assess natural resources and degradation risks in mountain ecosystems, focusing on ecotourism’s role in balancing economic growth and environmental preservation in Golija Nature Park. Results show moderate tourism potential and low degradation risk, affirming ecotourism’s feasibility under sustainable management. The integration of natural assets, cultural heritage, and rural communities highlights ecotourism’s capacity to strengthen local economies, support demographic revitalization, and enhance biodiversity conservation in mountainous regions. The proposed approach offers a practical model for sustainable planning and management of natural areas in a broader international context.

In insufficiently developed areas of Serbia, natural and anthropogenic tourist values are of great importance for sustainable rural development. In this study, a survey was conducted using the method of selecting respondents, where the analysis of economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects took into consideration the current situation, with the goal of clearly defining all the strengths and weaknesses of rural settlements in Novi Pazar. The average values of related issues were used to calculate the value of the indicators, while the Sustainable Rural Development Index (SRDI) was determined by the average values of all indicators. The final outcome of the SRDI is 0.94, indicating that the area holds the potential to develop sustainable tourism. The results of the research can be used to plan the possibilities for further development of rural settlements in the researched area in order to minimize weaknesses and threats and maximize strengths and opportunities with the help of tourism based on sustainable development.