The main objective of this paper was to discuss applications of GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). These two techniques were applied in order to assist preparation of the Tourism Management Plan, depicting the most suitable zones for ecotourism development in Dikgathlong Dam Lease Area (DDLA) as one of the largest resources of potable water in Botswana. The MCDA was based on geo-morphometric, hydrologic, landscape and community indicators and criteria which emanated from expert's opinions, intensive field survey and literature review. In addition the AHP has helped to calculate individual criteria weights and to point the degree of suitability zones classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for ecotourism. After performing both processes and establishing broad management zones it has been found that the Sustainable Development Scenario is the most appropriate option as the future ecotourism development proposal. This research provides new methodology that can be incorporated into future tourism policies and management strategies.

Dostupnost urbanih zelenih površina (UZP) sastavni je element zadovoljavajuće kvalitete života. Zbog nagle urbanizacije proučavanje zelenih površina postaje jedan od ključnih elemenata urbanističkog planiranja. Funkcionalna mreža prometnog sustava i optimalan prostorni raspored UZP-a preduvjeti su za održavanje ekološke ravnoteže urbanog krajolika. Analiza dostupnosti UZP-a u naselju Zadar izvršena je u sklopu projekta Urban Green Belts Project (UGB). Analizi je prethodila izrada prostorno-orijentirane baze UZP-a. Podaci su prikupljeni metodom nadzirane klasifikacije multispektralnih LANDSAT snimaka i metodom ručne vektorizacije DOF snimaka. U prvoj fazi istraživanja izvršena je analiza dostupnosti UZP-a prema ANG standardu. Indikator dostupnosti generiran je na temelju sedam objektivnih mjera koji uključuju površinu UZP-a po stanovniku te dostupnost šest funkcionalnih razina UZP-a. Izvedeni indikator dostupnosti uspoređen je sa subjektivnim mjerama koje su izvedene anketnim ispitivanjem 718 ispitanika unutar 41 statističkog kruga. Prikupljeni podaci reflektiraju individualnu procjenu te zadovoljstvo dostupnošću UZP-om. Ovo istraživanje istaknulo je važnost korištenja objektivnih i subjektivnih mjera u procesu razumijevanja dostupnosti UZP-a. Rezultati su pokazali da prilikom vrednovanja dostupnosti stanovnici naglasak stavljaju na uže stambeno okruženje, zanemarujući time više funkcionalne razine UZP-a. Nadalje, velike količine UZP-a unutar grada (114 m² po stanovniku) ne moraju generirati slično zadovoljstvo njihovom dostupnošću. Izlazni rezultati mogu služiti kao smjernice za daljnji razvoj grada u kontekstu planiranja funkcionalne mreže UZP-a.

Pluvial flooding (PF), resulting from intense short-duration rainfall events, is challenging in urban areas amidst climate change and rapid urbanization. Identifying flood-prone zones and implementing collaborative mitigation strategies with the local population are crucial aspects of PF management. This study aims to enhance the understanding of urban PF in Croatia by collecting historical PF data, creating the GIS-MCDA susceptibility model, and conducting a risk perception survey for the study area of Gospić. Susceptibility zones were generated utilizing topographical, environmental, and hydrological criteria using the AHP method. To examine the risk perception, a face-to-face survey was conducted among 5% of the city’s population (N = 64). Five factors were defined: (F1) risk awareness, (F2) anthropogenic and (F3) natural causes of PF, (F4) potential consequences, and (F5) preparedness. The reliability of the questionnaire was very high (>0.71). Most respondents believe they are ill-equipped to defend against flooding independently and express a lack of confidence in the measures taken by local authorities. The highly susceptible zones encompass not only agricultural areas but also residential zones of city. Among all respondents, 36% live in a flood-prone area and half of them have no flood insurance or other mitigation measures. Incorporating locals’ suggestions and problems, mitigation measures were proposed. Results from this research can be a starting point for further research in Croatia and can provide guidelines for decision-makers in implementing a risk mitigation strategy.

Pluvial floods are rain-related floods that occur when water drainage is not fast enough due to heavy rainfall. One of the key components in the management of the urban pluvial flood risk (UPFR) is risk perception (RP). The objective of this paper was to define factors of RP based on the selected variables and to examine their reliability. Emphasis is placed on the contextualization of five factors related to cognition: awareness of the risk of pluvial floods (F1) and situation: anthropogenic causes of pluvial floods (F2), natural causes of pluvial floods (F3), consequences of pluvial floods in the future (F4), and preparedness for pluvial floods (F5). Furthermore, historical pluvial floods data were acquired from multiple sources and used to determine the distance of respondents' homes from frequently flooded places. The results showed that the questionnaire was consistent, i.e., factors are highly reliable. Significant differences were observed in the F2 regarding the gender of the respondents, and in the F4 regarding their age. Preparedness for the danger (F5) is the lowest perceived factor. Results from this study can facilitate communication between experts, decision-makers, and citizens.

The geographic information system (GIS) is, at the global level, recognized as one of the best ICTs for implementation in the subject of geography. The application of GIS in the Republic of Croatia (RH) lags behind developed countries. The main objective of this research was to examine the attitudes of secondary school students and geography teachers regarding the introduction of GIS in the educational system process. In the period from 3 October 2021 to 27 January 2022, a survey questionnaire was conducted in 30 secondary schools in the RH on a sample of 611 students and 96 teachers. The results have showed that both teachers and students have a positive attitude toward the introduction of GIS for the purpose of teaching geography. More than 80% of teachers believe that GIS is not sufficiently represented in the high school and geography curricula which is recognized as one of the most important factors which limit GIS implementation. A majority (77%) of teachers are not using GIS on any teaching level, which is not surprising since both surveyed teachers and students have poor knowledge of GIS, although teachers rated their knowledge a little higher. Teachers perceive students’ interest in GIS exactly as students express it; predominantly indifferent. The most important factors limiting the implementation of GIS are recognized as: a lack of necessary GIS software and licenses; not knowing how to use GIS; and an insufficient number of teaching units dedicated to GIS in the geography curricula. An equal percentage of both teachers and students believe that there are prerequisites for GIS implementation in their schools. One of the basic prerequisites for GIS implementation is that education authorities need to “see” GIS as an important part of geography and include it more in school curricula. In almost all countries where GIS has been implemented in schools, difficulties in its implementation have been documented.

Šume primorskih četinjača, sa svojom ekološkom, ekonomskom, estetskom i društvenom funkcijom, predstavljaju važan dio europskih šumskih zajednica. Osnovni cilj ovoga rada je usporediti najkorištenije GEOBIA (engl. Geographic Object-Based Image Ana...