David Turnock

Environmental problems in Eastern Europe

Introduction F.W.Carter and D. Turnock 2. Albania D.R. Hall 3. Bulgaria F.W. Carter 4. Czechoslovakia, F.W. Carter 5. Hungary Dr Hinrichsen and I. Lang 6. Poland F.W. Carter 7. Romania D. Turnock 8. Former Yugoslavia B. Jancar-Webster 9. Problems of the Pollution Scenario F.W. Carter and D. Turnock Bibliography Index

Environmental problems of East Central Europe

Part 1: Context 1. Introduction 2. Environmental Politics and Transition 3. Environmental Movements, Nation States and Globalization 4. The Central Importance of the European Union 5. The Soviet Union and the Successor States Part 2: Country Studies - Northern Group 6. Czech Republic 7. East Germany 8. Hungary 9. Poland 10. Slovakia 11. Slovenia Part 3: Country Studies - Southern Group 12. Albania 13. Bosnia and Hercegovina 14. Bulgaria 15. Croatia 16. Macedonia 17. Romania 18. Yugoslavia Part 4: Conclusion 19. Conclusion

Cross‐border cooperation: A major element in regional policy in East Central Europe

Abstract Borders in East Central Europe have become much more permeable over the past ten years as formalities have been simplified and many new crossing points have opened. At the same time cooperation in border regions has increased, thanks mainly to resourcing through EU ‘Inrerreg’ programmes, to include a range of business, cultural and conservation interests. In many cases these arrangements have been formalised through Euroregions which have become an indicator of good international relations. The paper reviews these trends with reference to examples and pays particular attention to environmental projects and the joint planning initiatives being undertaken in a number of the Euroregions. At a time when regional policy has been generally weak, cross‐border cooperation has contributed significantly to cohesion and it is also a good indicator of stability in the region. However, the impact has been greater in the north than in the Balkans and the first round of EU eastern enlargement will have implications for cooperation across the new external borders.

Urban and regional restructuring in Eastern Europe: the role of foreign investment

The annual conference of the Royal Geographical Society/Institute of British Geographers, held in Exeter in January 1997, offered wide coverage of issues relating to urban and regional restructuring in Eastern Europe. This paper attempts to summarise the main arguments to emerge from the seminars and to provide a coherent view of the discussions. In the urban context, there was consideration of ownership change and the growth of the tertiary sector, but with significant tension between planners and local residents. Enterprise in cities showed wide spatial variations according to the quality of the infrastructure and status in the urban hierarchy. Regional restructuring was also shown to be uneven, given the global scale of the competition for investment. But substantial progress was reported in some regions, despite a tendency to exaggerate the impact of foreign investment in the early years of the transition.

Location trends for foreign direct investment in East Central Europe

East European industry is making radical adjustments as a result of the transition to a market economy. After some four decades of centrally planned development geared to large-scale production for a relatively undemanding Comecon network, private domestic entrepreneurs now have access to a global market. But there are major constraints, notably through the difficulty in raising capital at sustainable rates of interest. Consequently foreign direct investment (FD1) is of crucial importance both for the restructuring of old industries and for the development of new projects with export potential. However, FD1 is highly uneven, both within and between countries, and it is important to consider the reasons for this discrimination. The author discusses the location decisions of foreign companies, especially with regard to the large urban centres which are attracting the bulk of the investment. Reference is made to urban entrepreneurialism, industrial estates and special fiscal regimes, infrastructure, and environmental quality. Although some cities are particularly well endowed, most have only limited strengths to highlight as trade-offs against deficiencies. The question therefore arises as to whether all cities and their regions can exploit their strengths—and make positive use of spatial unevenness—to restructure their industrial sectors and provide gateways into the rural areas. Here there are both positive and negative views. Optimists see good prospects over the longer term through overspill and ‘trickling down’ through East Central Europe and indeed the Confederation of Independent States, whereas pessimists doubt whether even the more successful cities can attract sufficient FD1 and generate enough indigenous small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to eliminate unemployment and deliver growing prosperity.

The human geography of East Central Europe

1. Introduction: the Political and Economic Context2. Aspects of Social Geography3. Production: Industry and Agriculture4. Tertiary Sector Geographies: Transport Energy and Tourism5. Urban and Rural Settlement6. The Changing Status of Regions: Communism and Transition7. Conclusion

Environmental protection in the Apuseni Mountains: the role of Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (ENGOs).

The Apuseni Mountains constitute one of the most interesting parts of the Carpathians in terms of landscape, biodiversity and culture. Yet dislocations are now severe and there are development threats which also require a significant response. On the one hand there are some severe pollution problems associated with mining areas developed in the communist period which require remedial action and the cases of Roşia Montana and Zlatna are discussed. On the other hand, there are forest and pasture zones – especially the Padiş Plateau – which are coming under heavy pressure from farmers seeking to enhance their incomes following the decline of mining and manufacturing which has left many households without salaries. At the same time, tourist pressure is growing. Actions are already being taken to limit pollution damage and develop sustainable landuse practices. There is a national park project linked with nature reserves comprising picturesque landscapes, a rare flora and fauna and distinct geological and palaeotological formations (including fossil ice). There are major tourist attractions and with proper management they could become part of a development programme of the countryside. However it is essential that all stakeholders adopt sustainable practices and this means that official programmes – including the future national park authority administrations work in environment protection and tourism management – are backed up by Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (ENGOs). The paper reviews their diverse activities and concludes that they are making a very substantial contribution in ensuring that the potentials of isolated regions can be utilised in a manner consistent with nature conservation.

The human geography of Eastern Europe

Section One: Trade Transport and Energy 1. Trade, Transport and Energy: An Introduction 2. Non-Comecon Trade and Cooperation 3. Transport Services by Rail and Water 4. Electrification and the Prospects for Nuclear Power Section Two: Settlement Patterns 5. Socialist Cities and their Housing Policies 6. Planning the Growth of Large Towns 7. Continuity and Change in the Rural Areas 8. Problems of Pollution and Conservation.

Tourism in Romania: Rural planning in the Carpathians

Abstract Romania has invested heavily in tourism but the spatial distribution has been highly unbalanced with particular emphasis on the Black Sea coast. Elsewhere it is the capital city and the historic towns which have received priority. The rural areas have potential and are in great need of non-agricultural employment at a time of rapid farm mechanization. The scope for a strong tourism component to a rural planning program is discussed with particular reference to the Carpathians. Four localities are singled out for detailed examination to show the range of opportunities available.

Romania's Roma Population: From Marginality to Social Integration

Abstract Among several groups vulnerable to discrimination in 21st century Europe, Roma loom large because the poorer, traditionally-minded elements continue to resist integration and remain on the margins of society. Most of the people involved have become EU citizens as a result of recent accession by East Central European countries where marginalisation has been tolerated, with varying degrees of discrimination, ever since the 19th century abolition of feudalism. In the interest of a more inclusive society, Roma are now being encouraged to strive for living standards comparable with those enjoyed by the mainstream population. This paper concentrates on Romania, which has one of the largest Roma communities in Europe. We profile the situation with some reference to regional geographies and previous policy history. We examine the key concepts relevant to marginality, arguing for an element of self-exclusion, because while many Roma elements have been successfully assimilated over the years, a large residual element insists on preserving elements of ‘identity’, implying separation from the mainstream in terms of the modernising ethos and the rule of law. The main thrust of the paper rests with a comprehensive programme to improve the condition of the Roma community as a major element among a number of other factors which are working towards the same objective. We give particular attention to the education programme that is now making significant progress.