Volumen 24 (2020): Heft 2 (April 2020)

The objective of this work is to analyze the impact of seasonality on the socio-economic development of rural areas of the southern part of Karelia. This study is based on the field data obtained via semi-structured in-depth interviews with experts from the local community. The results show that the influence of seasonality is rather indirect, being a constituent of other factors: economic, infrastructural, institutional, social, etc. Although seasonality is most often perceived as a negative phenomenon regarding socio-economic development, modern types of economic activity characterized by a peak of activity in different seasons of the year mitigate the effect of seasonality and even benefit from being seasonal. Based on the materials collected, a typology of rural settlements of the southern part of Karelia based on the nature of the effect of seasonality has been developed (with a predominantly positive and predominantly negative effect).

Islands, especially small ones, are commonly studied as microcosms of natural and social processes. In this article, La Digue island (10 km²) in the Seychelles archipelago was treated as such. An attempt was made to analyse the significance of the natural environment for the features of spatial development under conditions of intense globalisation. For this purpose, functional micro-regions were determined, along with their genesis and evolution. Spatial dynamics and individual features of space are presented as chorème (Brunet 1986). The analysis was based on data from a library query and field observation and field studies in July 2018. Twelve functional regions were determined. Analysis of the distribution and evolution of their functions reveals a high dependence on natural environmental features, especially topography, and thus confirms (at the scale in question) a geographical determinism.

This study evaluates sustainability in the Huila Department in southern Colombia following the construction of two hydroelectric plants. This evaluation is based on the Sepúlveda (2008) sustainability analysis model, which is especially suited to Latin American rural territories. The importance of this evaluation of sustainability in the Huila region stems from the environmental crisis that, according to various regional stakeholders, has been caused by the construction of the two hydroelectric plants. The results of this investigation indicate that the sustainability of the region is at risk because of these hydroelectric projects.

The aim of this article is to indicate the features of contemporary urban agriculture present in the contiguously built-up areas of Havana. Using an exploratory and classification approach, the authors draw on fieldwork and a prior analysis of satellite and aerial imagery, first to characterize the spatial distribution of urban gardens and then to point to their main intrinsic features, including the methods and organization of production and the functions performed. The research conducted shows that urban agriculture is distributed across the city in an uneven fashion, with the main concentration in districts of lower-density urban construction, which reflects the availability of land resources intentionally left between buildings by modernist planners. The most common production technique applied is organopónico, or organoponics. However, the material commonly used to construct the bordering walls is asbestos, which may pose a significant threat for both producers and consumers. Two case studies are analyzed to exemplify different approaches to organic food production.

This article presents the special status of Poland, namely as a country that both sends out and takes in large numbers of migrant workers. Drawing on the world systems theory, the role attributed to Poland is that of semi-periphery, which means a specific kind of suspension between the status of an immigration centre, resembling western Europe, and the status of a migration periphery, such as the one constituted by the eastern part of the continent. Poland continues to be viewed as peripheral by its own citizens who decide to emigrate and, at the same time, becomes an immigration sub-centre for migrants coming from less-developed countries. In this article, the distinctive features of the special position of Poland are discussed. The conclusions drawn are supported by empirical evidence, including data on migration flows and interviews both with Poles working abroad and foreigners employed in Poland.

The political destabilization in the Middle East has caused such a significant wave of migration to European countries, that the situation has evolved into a migration crisis. Research on the awareness and opinions on mass migration conducted among a selected group of Polish youth show how differentiated attitudes are – from moderately positive to extremely negative. At the same time, almost everyone signaled that schools’ engagement in providing students with solid knowledge on migration was insufficient. In this context, this paper discusses the importance of taking account of students’ opinions in the planning of educational processes. If schools are to influence the attitudes of the young, they should create a space for dialogue and for students to express their opinions and values. Such activities, together with solid knowledge, will allow educational and pedagogical objectives to be reached.