Hungarian Geographical Bulletin

Seasonal trends in the Early Twentieth Century Warming (ETCW) in a centennial instrumental temperature record from Central Europe

2024-03-30T12:30:21+00:00

The goal of the present paper is to investigate whether any objectively defined and statistically significant changes can be discovered in one of the longest homogenized instrumental temperature records in East-Central Europe. Thus, it is hoped that the present analysis will add to earlier attempts and elucidate the persistence of the warming period observed in the early 20th century. Similar to the global tendency, the Early Twentieth Century Warming (hereinafter, ETCW) period can be identified between 1931 and 1951 in the annual mean temperature time series of Keszthely, a small town in Hungary. The Mann-Kendall trend test was used to determine whether a monotonic trend was present, as it is not possible to regard the residuals of the linear trend as normally distributed. A significant rising trend can be observed in the warming period in spring of the years between 1925 and 1951. In case of summer and autumn, this period cannot be characterized as having any significant identifiable trend. A rise in the mean can, however, be recognized. Overall, the specific regional manifestation of the global ETCW may clearly be illustrated in this study via detailed statistical analysis of the temperature records for Keszthely, a location with one of the longest temperature records in Hungary. However, other regions surrounding Hungary show similar climatic trends, emphasizing the fact that the behaviour presented here is not unique to Central and Eastern Europe.

Disproportionate exposure to urban heat island intensity – The case study of Győr, Hungary

2024-03-30T12:30:24+00:00

Extensive research has shown that urbanisation has a profound effect on the local climate system, leading to the formation of urban heat island. Exposure to urban heat islands poses a major health risk, and there is a growing body of literature recognising that urban population groups with particular demographic characteristics living in specific types of residential environments are disproportionately affected. By combining surface urban heat island data from the Global Surface Urban Heat Island Explorer with neighbourhood-level data on demographics and the type of housing, this study assesses disproportionate exposure to surface urban heat island intensity in the city of Győr, Hungary. Results of the study highlight the importance of targeted interventions for environmental justice, especially in areas characterised by housing estates, high population density and high ageing index.

‘I can hear the wind and feel it touch me on the nose’: The search for agency of the environment in the dialogue between human and nature. The case of Austin, TX

2024-03-30T12:30:25+00:00

This study explores specific relationships between humans and nature and seeks an extended ‘social construction of nature’ in the direction of place agency. The research assumes that place can be in agented action and a reciprocal relationship with human and non-human beings. The study’s main aim is to identify whether, from the perspective of contemporary city users, a partnership with the biotic and geographical environment is possible both within and outside the city. From this aim arises a research question: Does an inhabitant of a large city realize the possibility of a dialogue involving an ‘exchange of meanings’ between two entities of interaction that are often highly different (human and non-human beings)? The research uses a questionnaire survey (to recognize general quantitative opinion) and in-depth interviews with selected respondents (to look for deeper explanations). Results show that some urban respondents can see some environmental elements (in and out of the city) as agents and can describe the relationship human-environment in case of a reciprocal action called dialogue.

Formal urbanisation in East-Central Europe

2024-03-30T12:30:26+00:00

The East-Central European region has undergone a unique urbanisation process during socialist and postsocialist periods. These peculiarities result from social and economic development delays, which the state
has tried to remedy through massive interventions. One such intervention is urban reclassification, where the state promotes certain places it deems crucial, granting them urban status, often without actual development
or urban characteristics. Due to its artificial character, this intervention is called formal urbanisation in our approach being a specific local feature of the urbanisation process. The visible result is the growth of the urban
population, often only by administrative causes, with the reclassification of villages as towns. The emergence of numerous small towns, which we refer to as newest towns, has significantly influenced urbanisation, altered
the concept of towns and cities3, and generated significant debates. In this paper, we compare the formal urbanisation of the socialist and post-socialist eras, trying to estimate the added value of formal urbanisation in
the latter period. We compare the administrative backgrounds of formal urbanisation in selected ECE countries for similarities and differences. Throughout the research, we analyse their formal urbanisation involving
approximately 800 municipalities promoted since 1990 in Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and Romania, trying to identify common and unique features in the processes. Based on historical determination, modernisation, and integration into new spatial processes, considering demographic and functional changes, we developed
types of formal urbanisation. Our research has revealed several common factors in the reclassification process, such as local initiatives, while we have also identified disparities between principles and practices and varying
levels of control from regional and national actors. The study has also led to a deeper understanding of formal urbanisation in the context of the urbanisation process as a whole.

On intra-urban differences in the destinations of emigrants from the Municipality of Malaga (Spain): An approximation based on the municipal register of inhabitants

2024-03-30T12:30:27+00:00

Emigrants who left the Municipality of Malaga in the 2017–2021 period went to multiple destinations, mostly municipalities located in the province of Malaga itself, more specifically in its metropolitan area. Average housing prices in these metropolitan municipalities are highly variable, and, in this context, it is reasonable to assume that there will be a relationship between the income levels of emigrants and their destination. Based on a special processing of the Municipal Register of Inhabitants of the Municipality of Malaga, we show how a relationship can effectively be found between the average household income (AHI) of the census tract of origin of the emigrants and the average price of housing in the destination municipality, both for the whole group of emigrants and for selected age groups – children and young adults. A relationship that points to an overrepresentation of municipalities with high housing prices in the sections with the highest income, and vice versa.

Forces of energy welfare in Central Europe: The Russian war in Ukraine as a game changer

2024-03-30T12:30:28+00:00

The Russian war in Ukraine has changed global geopolitical priorities and the policies of individual countries. The consequences of this ongoing war will be felt for decades to come, including the militarisation of states and the strengthening of political-military alliances. This article explores the effects of this conflict through the lens of energy welfare, which is used as an essential litmus test for the transforming economies of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries in Central Europe. Energy security and the energy transition have become critical topics, and energy security and its impact on social welfare affect the sensitive areas of policy choices that will determine the direction of development in this part of Europe. The V4 countries – Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – illustrate a wide range of domestic and geopolitical orientations that place individual countries in different decision-making situations. The ideological and political forces determine the scope for achieving energy welfare and are, therefore, the subject of this article. Based on macroeconomic and survey data results, the article’s primary research query examines how the V4 countries’ reliance on Russian fossil fuels affects their political attitudes and societal perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine, and the implications for their energy security and welfare in the face of the European Green Deal efforts. The different strategies adopted by the four countries considered translate into energy transition pathways to a low carbon economy described in the European Green Deal and strategies to provide energy at a reasonable price at the expense of a coherent European policy towards Russian aggression.

Gekić, H., Bidžan-Gekić, A., Drešković, N., Mirić, R. and Reményi, P.: The Geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Between East and West

2024-03-30T12:30:28+00:00

Manić, E., Nikitović, V. and Djurović, P. (eds.): The Geography of Serbia: Nature, People, Economy

2024-03-30T12:30:29+00:00

Manuscript reviewers 2021-2023

2024-03-30T12:30:29+00:00