Implementation of regional policy has a long tradition in the European economic space. Since the beginning of European integration in the mid-20th century, a common regional policy based on cohesion, solidarity, and redistribution began to take shape. This paper is focused on the examination of the development of regional disparities in EU27 (27 European Union member states). This phenomenon is characterized by its ‘inertial’ nature, despite the implementation of a relatively generous system of instruments, particularly financial ones, in less developed countries and regions. However, it cannot be unequivocally proven that this is caused by inefficient, inappropriate, or misdirected redistribution within the EU27. The neoclassical concept of β-convergence and σ-convergence enables the identification of the RD’s (Regional Disparities) tendency within more than 20 years. To prove the results as accurately as possible and compare the development of interregional disparities, the analysis was conducted on the crucial macroeconomic indicator “GDP” (Gross Domestic Product) expressed in PPP (Purchasing Power Parity), not only at the level of EU (European Union) member states, but also at the regional levels. The results of this research reveal that despite the long-term implementation of the common cohesion policy there is a continuous deepening of interregional disparities at all examined NUTS (Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics) levels.

Rapid sprawl in developing cities presents significant challenges to sustainable land-use planning, often neglecting critical ecological objectives. Spatial models that can assist decision-makers with the integration of environmental factors into the planning process are useful. This study aims to develop an environmental suitability model for suburban expansion using GIS techniques, fuzzy logic, and incorporating landslide susceptibility assessment via the maximum entropy method, using the Cluj-Napoca Metropolitan Area in Romania as a case study. To demonstrate the practical application of the suitability model, we constructed a grid-based decision support framework prioritising intuitiveness, simplicity, and transparency to enhance stakeholder accessibility. The results show that a multi-criteria suitability model can inform and facilitate territorial decision-making, especially when integrated with other parameters (social, economic, and infrastructure-related) that influence development opportunities in the metropolitan area. Future directions for this research include validating the model within a multidisciplinary team, exploring diverse visualisation and communication strategies, and testing in applied planning contexts.

There is growing interest in how local communities could become more resilient to the adverse effects of disasters. Identifying baseline indicators and establishing a methodology for evaluating community disaster resilience (DR) at a finer scale (neighborhood) is of utmost importance. This article (1) adapts the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) framework to identify baseline resilience indicators, (2) utilizes the hybrid Factor Analysis and Analytic Network Process (F’ANP) model to assess DR, and (3) uses discriminant analysis to validate the applicability of the proposed methodology at the neighborhood level of the Tehran Metropolis. Guided and inspired by the BRIC framework, 35 baseline DR indicators are chosen from the literature. Using the F’ANP model, the seven extracted DR subdomains are reorganized to align with the BRIC structure. A composite DR index is computed and classified into five categories, using K-Means cluster analysis. The results are validated by discriminant analysis and spatial autocorrelation. Employing the BRIC-F’ANP model allows for the restructuring of identified disaster resilience subdomains to form the necessary resilience structure. The obtained results indicate that higher DR neighborhoods are concentrated in the northern parts of the city, whereas those with lower DR are clustered in the southern parts of the Tehran Metropolis. The adaptation of the BRIC F’ANP model has resulted in the development of a robust methodology for measuring DR at the neighborhood level that could be replicated for assessing the neighborhood DR in other cities.

Coastal cities are increasingly vulnerable to climate-related hazards – storm surges, sea-level rise, and extreme weather – which threaten transportation systems. Recent disasters highlight the urgent need for resilience planning. This study evaluates the vulnerability of İzmir’s transportation network under three storm surge scenarios by integrating high-resolution spatial data, IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) projections, and historical flood records. The analysis applies an indicator-based approach grounded in the IPCC framework, evaluating vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Findings show water intrusion ranging from 330 to 12,000 meters across İzmir Bay, significantly impacting critical infrastructure. Tram lines and ferry piers are most affected, with over 84% and 97% of assets classified as highly or very highly vulnerable. Metro stations (52%) and segments of the İZBAN rail system (34%) are also at risk, particularly in low-lying coastal zones. These disruptions threaten urban mobility, economic stability, and emergency response. The current research provides a spatially explicit vulnerability assessment of İzmir’s transport infrastructure under different storm surge scenarios, identifying the most at-risk assets and locations. By applying an indicator-based framework, it quantifies vulnerability in a systematic way and highlights the urgency of targeted adaptation in central districts like Konak and Karşıyaka. The findings offer actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, emphasizing the need to integrate Nature-based Solutions and engineered protections in areas with low elevation and critical transport functions. The methodological approach can also be adapted to support resilience planning in other coastal cities facing similar climate threats.

Global economic shifts, demographic transition, political, social, and environmental changes, as well as local crises, have led to the emergence of shrinking cities around the world. The present article assesses the dynamics and scale of demographic shrinkage of Belarusian cities for three intercensal periods: 1989–1999, 1999–2009, 2009–2019. The geographical study of shrinking cities in Belarus was carried out using the conceptual foundations of the shaping factors and criteria for identifying shrinking cities, theoretical approaches to assess demographic processes, and a set of methods (mathematical and statistical, demographic trajectories, grouping, classification matrices, balance, geographical systematization, cartographic and GIS-technologies). The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends of dynamics, scale and differentiation of demographic development of shrinking cities by regions in Belarus, over the period of 1989–2019. Based on international experience, the criteria of shrinking cities applied to the territory of Belarus were defined for the first time, thus becoming a subject of scientific research novelty. The main criteria of demographic contraction of the Belarusian cities are: population decrease over the period between 1989 and 2019, negative annual growth of population, and regressive demographic balance. The shrinking cities of Belarus are heterogeneous in demographic development and divided into three types: 1) outpacing shrinkage (since 1989); 2) catching-up shrinkage (from 1999–2009); 3) reversible demographic trend, with the dominance of the cities in the second category (68%). The dominance of shrinking cities in Belarus is typical for three regions, namely Viciebsk, Mahilioŭ and Homieĺ, which reflects the general trend of depopulation in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country. Establishing a typology of shrinking cities in Belarus represents a scientific innovation and provides a corresponding basis for a differentiated approach to setting promising strategies for their future development.

Managing bio-waste in urban areas poses significant challenges for local governments, particularly in countries with underdeveloped waste management systems. However, decentralized composting has emerged as a viable solution in various cities and regions worldwide. This paper examines the potential for implementing decentralized bio-waste management systems in urban areas in Romania, a European Union member state with notably low performance in municipal waste management. We analysed three decentralized composting systems from EU countries, focusing on system design, circularity, and household participation. From these case studies, we identified several transferable best practices, including analysing local waste generation patterns, designing circular models, using modular units for rapid implementation, training composting specialists, tailoring behavioural change tools to local contexts, and ensuring continuous performance monitoring. In addition, we explored local bottom-up initiatives for decentralized composting in urban areas in Romania such as green NGOs, informal composting networks, networks of local food producers and consumers, urban gardening practices rooted in the Communist era, and entrepreneurial initiatives offering household bio-waste collection services. We argue that policymakers should adapt these best practices to local conditions and actively engage with bottom-up initiatives to co-create tailored solutions and support behavioural change. The study concludes with policy recommendations for implementing decentralized composting systems. These findings offer a practical framework to guide the development of context-specific composting solutions in Romania and other Central and Eastern European countries with similar urban characteristics and public attitudes towards waste management.

This paper investigates how inbound tourism influences globalisation dynamics in the Central and Eastern Europe region (CEE) considering digitalisation, trade openness, and economic growth. We applied panel data and regression analysis using indicators from World Bank, United Nations World Tourism Organization, and KOF Index for the period 1995-2023. Given the ongoing issues, particularly those stemming from digitalisation, trade openness and economic growth, we find it imperative to outline key factors influencing both present and future changes related to globalization under the inbound tourism effect. Results indicate that globalisation dynamics depends on inbound tourism without following a uniform pattern. Inbound tourism, trade openness and digitalisation contribute to the global market integration of the region, with statistically significant effects in five of nine countries. Digitalisation and economic expansion are key actors of globalisation. Although trade openness has an overall positive impact, export consolidation and urbanization process can steer the direction towards local market. Developing the incoming tourism provides an extra integration opportunity to the countries from the CEE region in global economy. Nevertheless, each country should work on maximizing their opportunities and enhancing their particular features since there is no such thing as a common regional model.

Political deportation is one instance that defines the memory of violence and trauma in post-socialist Romania. Building on experiences of the deportees to the Soviet Gulag (from Northern Bukovina, in 1941) and to Bărăgan region of Romania (from Banat and Western Oltenia, in 1951), our paper explores the connections between exposure to traumatic events (i.e., deportations) and place attachment (re)construction. Despite a shared sense of their vulnerability during deportation, some deportees survived its horrors and were able to narrate their experiences. Based on deportees’ narratives of fear and survival, we investigate, through a qualitative methodology, the impact of exposure to structural violence and deportees’ positive, negative and mixed emotions about places. The impact of the extreme and dramatic political events of deportations on people’s cognitive and emotional bonds to places includes both the loss of place of residence and the construction of new people-place connections in deportation spaces. Findings show a strong relation between people and several values, together with related activities that are frequently mentioned in deportees’ life histories: faith in God, family, socialising and leisure, freedom, patriotism, and political views. We concluded that valuing all this gives and maintains deportees’ hope, which is a positive emotion that contributed to the (re)construction of people-place bonds during deportation and afterwards.