Ante Šiljeg

Participatory measurements of sustainable urban development and quality of life in post-socialist Zadar, Croatia

Over the last two decades, there has been an intensive discourse and research about measuring sustainable urban development. Many cities, regions and countries have decided to introduce indicators for monitoring and measuring the progress towards sustainability. Today there is a wide spread perception that information on the environment in general, and urban environment in particular, is the determinant of effective rational decisions and allocation of resources. Such information would enable planners and decision makers to formulate redistributive policies and programmes to address some of the disparities that exist in a post-socialist city. Cities of the post-socialist world characterized by sharp disparities, socio-economic contrasts and environmental degradation provide an excellent laboratory for tracing information on the quality of urban life. The current situation in the emerging Croatian coastal city of Zadar reflects the diversity of the post-socialist urban change in a very fragile Mediterranean landscape. This paper takes a critical look at sustainable development and its measurements. It describes the participatory approach through which different local communities in Zadar were evaluating quality of life based on basic pillars of sustainable development. The identification and collection of their opinions provide valuable data base and community input into urban governance and development planning decision making.

The effect of interpolation methods on the quality of a digital terrain model for geomorphometric analyses

Despite the modern technological advancements, contemporary methods of data gathering still rely on point samples, which means they feature a precise variable info only on specific x, y - coordinates. In order to get a continual representation of a surface necessary for research, it is necessary to approximate various data values on those surfaces which have not been sampled by using various methods of interpolation. The main aim of this research is to evaluate two different methods of interpolation based on the quality of digital terrain models used for geomorphometric analyses. For the purposes of developing and comparing these methods, a set of elevation data was attained by vectorization of contour lines from HOK. Two methods of interpolation were tested: triangulated irregular network (TIN) and ANUDEM (Topo to Raster). In order to get a more appropriate method, the research employed eight statistical parameters, various graphical representations (both two- and three-dimensional) and geomorphometric parameter of slope inclination. The research shows that ANUDEM is a better method for geomorphometric analyses than TIN is. After the analysis of geomorphometric parameters (slope), the conclusion is that there are no significant differences between the digital terrain models developed on the bases of different sets of elevation data.

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE HORIZONTAL LANDSCAPE STRUCTURE OF VRANSKO LAKE NATURE PARK

For the purpose of testing the group of landscape indicators an analysis was performed of the fundamental characteristics of the horizontal landscape structure of Vransko Lake Nature Park. The objectives of this study were (i) to select and analyse the group of landscape indicators at the level of elements and classes as fundamental landscape units that are relevant and useful in improving landscape planning ; (ii) to analyse the horizontal landscape structure of Vransko Lake Nature Park ; and (iii) to analyse changes to the features of the horizontal structure of determined classes due to anthropogenic effects and the identification of dominant/stable and threatened/labile types of classes. The fundamental hypothesis of the paper is that through an analysis of landscape indicators, it is possible to precisely determine the spatial relations between the elements and classes within the landscape, and that it is possible to determine fragmentation and the existence of specific dominant/stable and threatened/labile landscape types. Methods applied in this study were landscape analysis methods based on landscape indicators, GIS and statistical methods. Two extension (Patch Analyst and V- Late) within ArcGIS were used and software Fragstat. The landscape of Vransko Lake Nature Park includes 30 habitat classes. A habitat map was drafted in the scale 1:5000, according to the rules of the National Habitat Classification of the Republic of Croatia. For the purpose of analysing the horizontal structures of elements within Vransko Lake Nature Park, 12 landscape indicators were used. The analysis was conducted at the level of 30 classes representing habitats. Through the analysis of six selected indicators (CA, MPS, Proportion, TE, MNNdist i Proximity) of landscape structure, dominant and threatened classes within the landscapes of Vransko Lake Nature Park were identified. As threatened landscape classes traditional vineyard and thermophilic flood vegetation were recognized. Dominant landscape classes are mixed, less frequently, pure evergreen forests and thorny low vegetation (dracici).

Quantitative analysis of marginalization indicators – example of the peninsula of Pelješac, Croatia

Besides marginalization on the international, national and regional levels, it is possible to speak about marginalization on the local level. It is especially important since its consequences and various aspects are felt in everyday life. This paper presents the results of quantitative analysis of the process of marginalization on the local level on the example of the peninsula of Peljesac in Croatian Littoral. The main aim of the research is to contribute to propose a quantitative approach in the research of marginalization. The authors have defined four indicators which form the basis of the GIS analysis: demographic, socio-economic, educational and an indicator of physical marginalization. In order to see relationship between the indicators, the peninsula has been divided into zones which differ according to the marginalization process. Such differences are expressed quantitatively in form of an index of marginalization.

Morphogenesis of karst poljes on Vis Island, Croatia

Karst poljes are the most characteristic feature of Dinaric karst area. The number of poljes identified on the island of Vis (Croatia) differs according to the various authors who have studied the island. Considering the various existing definitions of polje in previous studies, in this paper we propose a set of criteria for identifying poljes in karst terrain using Geographic Information System. This enabled the identification of six poljes on the Vis Island, whose formation is predetermined by tectonic structures. Moreover, processes are frequently inferred by neotectonic (both uplift and subsidence) according to the analysis of longitudinal and transverse profiles gradients affecting balance of these morphologies. Since they are not hydrologically active in present hydrological conditions, poljes on Vis Island can be considered to be paleo - overflow or structural poljes.

Morphometrical Characteristics of the Broader Area of Duvanjsko Polje, Bosnia and Hercegovina

The objects of this study are the hillslopes in the broader area of Duvanjsko polje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Slopes can be defined as relief surfaces determined by geographical position, slope inclination (related with horizontal surface), aspect, and degree of curvature (profile and planar).Recent slope shapes can be defined as results of series of natural and anthropogenic factors during relief genesis and evolution. It is possible to correlate slope characteristics with geological structure and other natural geographic features (climate, soils, vegetation etc.) using geomorphometrical analysis. The main aims of this study are: a) analysis of morphometric relief indicators, b) analysis of relationships between morphometric indicators, structural and lithological features, and c) synthesis of all analyzed indicators in order to better understand exogeomorphological and morphostructural features of the investigated area. The final intention is to assess the extent and intensity of the dominant geomorphologic processes. Special attention was given to the detailed geomorphometrical analysis of morphostructures in the broader area of Duvanjsko polje in GIS environment based on DMR. The applied geomorphometrical relief analysis included the use of different methods for precise calculation of the investigated area’s numerical relief parameters, which enabled a mutual comparison of specified parameters and comparison with tectonic units and lithology maps. The aim of this approach is a more exact analysis and interpretation of morphometric relief parameters as indicators of the investigated area’s endogenous and exogenous processes’ characteristics.