Hungarian Geographical Bulletin

On the choice of reference database and calibration period of bias-corrected simulations: A case study for Hungary

Csilla Simon — 2025-04-01

The aim of the present study is to investigate the accuracy of bias-adjusted regional climate model (RCM) simulations using various calibration periods, demonstrated for the region of Hungary. High-resolution (0.11°) RCM simulations of daily near-surface mean air temperature, daily minimum and maximum air temperature, and daily precipitation provided by the EURO-CORDEX community are analysed. The model ensemble consists of 5 RCM simulations driven by 4 different general circulation models for the historical time period 1976–2005. The publicly available, most accurate, measurement-based and quality-controlled HuClim is used as the reference dataset. The internationally widely used percentile-based quantile mapping method is applied for the bias-correction and it is performed on a monthly level. The novelty of the present study is that we used two different calibration periods to create bias-corrected datasets: an earlier and a more recent 30-year long period, and made these new datasets available in Zenodo. In addition to these HuClim-based bias-corrected databases, another database, containing bias-corrected RCM simulations and produced by the EURO-CORDEX community is also investigated. The assessment is carried out for the period 1993–2005, which is the overlapping time interval of the different calibration periods. According to our results, the accuracy of the bias-correction depends on the chosen calibration period and on the analysed climate index, and the choice of the validation period also affects the results. As next step, we plan to extend our research on projections under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios.

Border between West and East of Europe in the mental maps of European university students

Aleš Nováček — 2025-04-01

The paper addresses the issue of dividing Europe into two sub-regions, West and East, which are monitored and defined through the method of cognitive mapping. The first section reviews basic approaches to this division of Europe, focusing on the concept of duality, analysing its causes, manifestations and perception in the form of the West-East division. The following empirical part presents the results of an international research conducted in the form of a questionnaire survey distributed among university students from nine European countries. Respondents were asked to define the border between the European West and East based on their subjective perceptions. The results were subsequently analysed and aggregated into map outputs using GIS tools. Although the respondents were young, the findings show that the perceived boundary between West and East still largely aligns with the Cold War-era division of Europe, with Central Eastern European countries, except Slovenia and Czechia, often classified as East. The mental maps also showed partial differences in the views of individual nations. The final part of the study is devoted to the interpretation of the results and their reflection in terms of the presented theoretical concepts and assumptions.

Territorial identity of a region: A review of data collection techniques

Martin Bartůněk — 2025-04-01

This scoping review focuses on methodological approaches and, in particular, data collection techniques, for investigating part of the identity of a region – the territorial identity (boundaries) – within the field of new regional geography. The paper builds on a continuously expanding compilation of studies from academic databases and supplementary reference searches in geographically oriented journals. Reviewing 76 articles, it identifies the principal data collection techniques, including the utilisation of secondary sources (e.g. literature and maps or databases of place names) and strategies for obtaining primary data with questioning. These represent two analytical perspectives: indirect (secondary data) and direct (primary data) identification of territorial identity. The techniques are analysed concerning methodological approaches, including the use of territorial identity markers or territorial identity perception, as well as in terms of various scales and research character (single or multiple regions examination). The findings demonstrate that secondary data are predominantly used for delimiting regions through territorial identity markers whereas primary data are employed mainly to delimit regions reflecting territorial identity perception. Furthermore, the choice of data is not inherently dependent on region scale, as even world regions can be studied using questioning. Additionally, the absence of temporal analysis and the under-representation of mixed research designs in the studies suggest avenues for future research. Integrating diverse data collection techniques and methodological approaches might capture the concept of the region better, offering valuable insights for theoretical advancement and practical applications.

Human and demographic capital in peripheral and core municipalities and regions and its development (northwest Bohemia)

Vlastimil Veselý — 2025-04-01

The paper compares the human and demographic capital of central, suburban, semi-peripheral and peripheral municipalities of the Karlovy Vary Region and also the regions of Czechia and neighbouring regions in Germany. Peripheral municipalities are considerably distant from meso- and micro-regional towns in terms of time spent on public transport. The demographic capital of municipalities is assessed according to indicators of population development, natural and migration balance, and age structure. In the evaluation of human capital, indicators of education, unemployment, foreclosures, entrepreneurship, and housing construction are used. The assumption of low human capital in peripheral municipalities compared to more geographically exposed municipalities was not confirmed. Suburban municipalities have the highest human and demographic capital. Although the studied region borders the developed regions of Germany, it has the least favourable values of human and demographic capital of all Czech regions and neighbouring German regions. This is a consequence of the complete population exchanges after World War II, the existence of the Iron Curtain on the region’s borders with the West during the socialist (communist) period, the peripheral location of the region within Czechia, the inappropriate development of industry under socialism, and the problems of this sector and weak cross-border cooperation in the post-socialist period. The paper also presents strategies and measures to support human capital in the types of municipalities of the region and throughout the region.

How to develop the creative milieu and physical resources of the university campus into a sustainable innovation zone – The case of Morasko-Poznań, Poland

Michał Męczyński — 2025-04-01

This article evaluates the development of the Morasko Campus of Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznań, one of Poland’s leading academic centres, in relation to its alignment with the Sustainable Innovation Zone (SIZ) concept. This concept refers to urban districts that concentrate sustainable innovation activities within an attractive, creative milieu. The study draws on model solutions from the literature on creating city innovation districts, focusing on some physical assets considered to be sustainable innovations. The findings indicate that the Morasko Campus has begun to integrate elements of the SIZ concept, particularly in selected public spaces and university building courtyards. Initial pilot projects have been launched to incorporate sustainable innovations, such as green roofs, green walls, and solar energy photovoltaic panels, into the campus buildings. As sustainability becomes a central focus of the University’s development policy, it is anticipated that these initiatives will increase in the near future.

Geographical space and service use in agriculture: The view from the perspective of multilayer networks

László Kovács — 2025-04-01

Location theory has shown that the location of businesses follows specific patterns: primarily, the site of production, transportation costs, markets, and workforce are considered the main factors influencing business location. However, less research focuses on the spatial distribution of service use of actual businesses. Based on empirical data collected in the Hungarian counties Vas and Zala, the paper shows how the service use of agricultural producers is distributed in space. Using a questionnaire, we show that services are primarily used in nearby towns, although in some exceptional cases, small villages can also function as service providers to agribusinesses. Based on the results, we argue that agricultural producers’ business connections are best described as multilayer networks in which layers are interconnected. We assume, based on a shift towards more intensive service use of agricultural producers due to the advances in agriculture 4.0, that on these layers, physical roads will maintain their importance; parallel, however, the weight of digital connections will increase.

Belete, M.D. (ed.): Ecohydrology-Based Landscape Restoration. Theory and Practice

Szilvia Simon — 2025-04-01

Yarwood, R.: Rural Geographies: People, Place and the Countryside

Melinda Mihály — 2025-04-01

Manuscript reviewers 2022–2024

Ferenc Gyuris — 2025-04-01