Founded in 1703, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire. Its historic center and associated monuments are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its components are classified as cultural rather than natural or mixed. We hypothesized that a part of them has an additional ecotourism value. We carried out field observations along with a review of the literature. Our results confirmed the hypothesis: many of these sites retain important elements of biodiversity that can be used for environmental education. Large congregations of birds can be observed in close proximity to Heritage monuments. Wintering bats occupy the interiors of historic fortifications, and in summer, concentrations of feeding bats can be found nearby. Seal haul-out sites have been documented on small islands near the city. The ecotourism and nature-conservation value of these Heritage landscapes is usually linked to the original logic of their selection. The best locations were chosen for palace construction—dry, scenic areas with fertile soils suitable for park creation. Proximity to bodies of water was equally important, both for aesthetic reasons and for sanitation. These same qualities also make such areas highly favorable for biodiversity. Even after centuries of development, many natural features have persisted.

This study looks at how underused metro undercrofts can be repurposed into lively public & community spaces. As Jan Gehl aptly states, "If you invite people to walk more and use public spaces more, you get more life in the city. You get what you invite," highlighting the transformative power of intentional design in transit zones. As cities expand with rising populations and limited land, reusing existing structures offers a strong method for renewal. Metro undercrofts, often unused empty areas beneath elevated metro stations, provides a unique opportunity for creative urban design with respect to community engagement. These areas are often overlooked, but they hold a significant potential for enhancing cityscapes through the creation of public parks, markets, cultural spaces and most importantly, a pedestrian-friendly zone. The research explores how these transit spaces can be transformed to boost local economies, promote social connectivity and support public mobility in the urban areas. The study also investigates the social & economic advantages of these efforts. The paper concludes that well-planned development of the metro undercrofts can be crucial for revitalising cities, creating more liveable, inclusive & interconnected cities.

The garment industry of the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the key and dynamically developing segments of the light industry, making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country, providing employment and strengthening export potential. In recent years, the industry has demonstrated positive dynamics, but the modern external economic environment imposes new, higher requirements on product quality, technological level of production and the ability of enterprises to scale. In the context of increased regional competition from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus and China, as well as changes in the structure of global and regional demand, create conditions in which the Kyrgyz garment industry faces the need for deep modernization and structural transformation. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the key constraints of the industry's development, including the fragmented production structure, high dependence on imported raw materials and accessories, technological backwardness of some enterprises, shortage of qualified personnel, underdevelopment of national brands and limited opportunities to enter premium market segments. The high social importance of the sector, which provides employment for up to 7% of the working-age population, mainly women, is emphasized, which makes the industry an important element of social stability. Promising areas of modernization have been identified: the formation of textile and clothing clusters, the creation of industrial parks, the introduction of digital technologies, the improvement of quality standards and the expansion of export markets. It is concluded that the transition to an innovative, technological and export-oriented production model is a key condition for the long-term competitiveness of the Kyrgyz Republic's garment industry on a regional and global scale.

ABSTRACT Previous work has suggested that protected areas, both in the United States and around the world, have been disproportionately established on lands of low economic potential. As the bulk of protected areas occur in rural settings, the possibility that less valuable lands are more often reserved from development deserves separate examination in cities. Leading late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American pioneers of urban planning explicitly recommended the use of economically marginal lands for city parks, as did decision makers in public discussions. An examination of protected areas in America’s six largest cities today shows them to be unusually concentrated on terrain of high elevation, steep slope, and high flood potential, all factors likely to have discouraged intensive development. The past consequences of such targeted site selection have included the displacement for park creation in a number of cities of economically and racially marginal communities who had settled on such residual lands. The results, in addition, support the claim that land protection has been a lower priority, in urban as well as rural settings, than the extent of protected areas would suggest, and they underline the potential importance of the physical environment in understanding urban geography.

The career of Eugène (Eugenio) Autran (1855–1912) was marked by two profound changes. The first occurred when he transitioned from working in industry to becoming a full-time naturalist, taking-up the position of curator at the Boissier Herbarium in Geneva, Switzerland in 1888, as well as becoming editor of its in-house journal, the Bulletin de l'Herbier Boissier. The second change came twelve years later when he abruptly left and emigrated to Argentina, apparently under something of a cloud. There, he worked at the Pharmacology Museum at the University of Buenos Aires, where his role included editing the Trabajos del Museo de Farmacología and working for the Ministry of Agriculture. Autran also helped establish the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden and was involved in the creation of Argentina's national parks. Although he is mainly remembered as a botanist, his first interest was actually entomology. Before leaving Switzerland, he donated an extensive collection of Hemiptera to the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genève (MHNG). Despite his sudden departure, Autran continued to send specimens (and publications) to the museum from Argentina and apparently enjoyed good relations with Genevan scientists.

The article presents a comprehensive study of the unique phenomenon of modern Russian culture – the Nikola-Lenivets Land Park. Based on a three-level analysis model, the article explores the basic components of the art ensemble’s structure, including the influence of the historical context of the territory on the concept of the art park, the role of the peasant society, which carries the foundations of the deep collective unconscious of the Russian ethnos, in the creation of the land park, and the specific features of Nikolai Polissky’s artistic experiment as a representative of the national level of Russian culture, the rational and individualistic principles of modernity, and their role in the ideology of the land park. The article shows the difference between the Nikola-Lenivets land park and the global trend of land art, which is based on the national characteristics of Russian ethnic and national culture. The article describes the features of a new model of symbolic organization of the land park’s space, which differs from the basic mythological model: its openness, multi-center structure, and the convergence of the subjective-individualistic and ontological aspects.

The article examines the legal regime of industrial parks in the system of urban resilience. It has been established that industrial parks are a key instrument for economic development and ensuring the sustainability of urban systems, especially in the context of geopolitical challenges. The current system of regulatory and legal acts governing the set of relations in the field of industrial parks at the legislative and sub-legislative levels is defined. It is argued that the current legal regime governing ownership of industrial parks is somewhat limited. In particular, the public-private partnership mechanism is not currently used, concessions are not involved, and mechanisms for creating joint industrial parks are underdeveloped. The legal regime of industrial parks in Ukraine, their forms of ownership, their role in strengthening the resilience of cities, as well as the prospects for the development of underground and eco-industrial parks are analyzed. The further development of underground parks requires not only amendments to the legislation on industrial parks, but also to the legislation on subsoil resources. Underground industrial parks of military-industrial significance require a special legal regime. Based on the regulatory framework, statistical data, and global experience, the strategic importance of these facilities for post-war reconstruction and sustainable development has been substantiated. The study is based on an analysis of legislation, park creation dynamics, and regional examples, with an emphasis on integrating sustainability principles. Key findings highlight the need to improve legal mechanisms for attracting investment and adapting to risks. The need for legal support for post-war reconstruction based on the development of industrial parks has been substantiated, which will contribute to economic autonomy, environmental safety, and social stability of Ukraine’s urban systems. To this end, it is proposed to further improve the current economic, land, urban planning, environmental, tax, and customs legislation. Measures are recommended for the full implementation of the legal regime for industrial parks in the urban resilience system.

The aim of the paper is to present Roman Kobendza (1886-1955) and his article “Ruderal vegetation on the ruins of Polish cities (1949). Kobendza was a botanist associated with the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the University of Warsaw. He specialized in dendrology and the biology of woody plants and was also a promoter of nature conservation, contributing to the creation of numerous national parks. In addition to numerous expert studies, Kobendza also published works intended for a broader audience, which was a vital part of his popularizing activities. He also contributed actively to the interwar scholarly life, as a co-founder of the Polish Botanical Society and co-originator of the Polish Dendrology Society. The article entitled “Ruderal vegetation…” lies at the intersection of the researcher’s interests: phytosociology, studies on the vegetation of sandy areas, and nature conservation. Kobendza’s set out with noting the war-induced changes in the landscape—which in that case mainly meant Warsaw and its environs. Simultaneously, in his eyes, the evidently ravaged the city did not spell destruction alone, but rather the emergence of new, unprecedented environmental conditions in the sites he examined, which subsequently gave rise to distinct vegetation.

ABSTRACT The metaverse offers many opportunities for leisure scholars and practitioners to engage with leisure users in research and facilitated experiences. Previous scholarship has examined metaverse platforms and communities in virtual tourism, sport, events and commercially available recreation, but scholars and practitioners are missing opportunities for more action-oriented work in this new space. Instead of solely observing the developments of virtual recreation driven by technology companies, leisure scholars need to be actively contributing to metaverse leisure development (rather than waiting for these possibilities to emerge). Similar to the creation of public parks as a respite from the societal ills of urbanisation and industrialisation in the late 19th century, leisure practitioners and scholars have opportunities to identify and create beneficial and inclusive leisure opportunities within metaverse platforms. Some examples of these opportunities include creation of virtual public recreation spaces in metaverse platforms; using digital twins to better teach recreation facilities management; and increasing cross-cultural education through virtual project-based learning.

Urban greenspaces are essential for the liveability of cities, due to their multi-functionality and the benefits they provide to the residents as ecosystem services. Their potential as nature-based solutions also provides an important opportunity to tackle and mitigate socio-economic and spatial inequalities, at various scales. Therefore, location and quality of greenspaces must be planned considering equity in the access by resident population, regardless of socio-economic context. The purpose of this research is to develop and present a methodology that evaluates such equity in accessibility to quality greenspaces, tested in the Portuguese city of Porto. The methodology crosses the quantity, spatial and social approaches existing in the literature. It considers location of each greenspace, plus a set of indicators that help quantify them in relation to size, opening hours, existing amenities, proximity to schools, and place metrics. Furthermore, it defines areas of proximity, based on walking accessibility up to 15 minutes, considering distinct socio-economic vulnerability groups, based on territorial profiles established through factor analysis of census block level data. The resulting crossing of socio-economic groups with ranges of accessibility to distinct greenspace types show, for example, that the creation of a new park in 2010 significantly helped to augment the accessibility of the most deprived groups, that nonetheless remain farthest from the most centrally located greenery. Conclusions reinforce the importance of urban planning to mitigate environmental injustices, including at the micro-scale in the 15-min city, and the interest of involving the local community, particularly the most vulnerable, to avoid the consequences of green gentrification.

Efforts to restore wildlife populations are increasing worldwide, yet many of these initiatives take place amidst significant ecological change. In altered ecosystems with novel species compositions, returning wildlife may alter their behaviours and interactions with other species. In Patagonia, the extirpation of terrestrial predators following European colonization, including the puma, facilitated the establishment of Magellanic penguin colonies along Argentina's coast. Recently, the creation of a national park in coastal Patagonia has fostered the recovery of pumas and resulted in an unexpected predator-prey relationship between pumas and penguins. Using a suite of animal movement metrics and generalized spatial mark-resight models, we tested how access to penguins affects puma behaviour and abundance. Consistent with the resource dispersion hypothesis, pumas responded to the availability and abundance of penguins by increasing their site fidelity when penguins were present but ranging more widely when the penguins migrated out of the park. This behavioural adaptation led to frequent encounters among pumas, suggesting greater social tolerance. Further, the park now supports the highest density of pumas recorded to date. Our work adds to a rapidly growing body of literature suggesting that the restoration of large carnivores in novel ecosystems can lead to novel interactions that transform their behaviours.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the features of modern university architecture, which is characterized by the specificity of its functions and the interaction between educational and research processes. The purpose of the publication is to identify the main features in the formation of university complexes from the perspective of existing approaches to architectural and functional design, as well as to explore the prospects for their further expansion through the creation of research centers, laboratories, and technology parks. It also aims to define a conceptual framework and ways of its effective implementation in state technical universities of Ukraine. An example of a modern approach to solving this type of task in practice is the design and construction of the research complex of University of Montreal (Canada). When designing university research centers, it is important to take into account not only the current needs but also the long-term development of the institution, as well as contemporary trends in architecture and science. Modern research centers are often designed as modular buildings, allowing flexible spatial configurations that can adapt to evolving needs. Academic buildings with laboratories combine lecture halls, laboratories, conference rooms, and spaces for individual student work. Innovative campuses are designed as integrated complexes of buildings connected by shared spaces and functions. The result of the study is a theoretical justification of the main aspects of architectural design for university research centers, including functional zoning, ergonomics and comfort, aesthetics and branding, sustainability, and environmental integration. Studying the trends in the development of university research center architecture and analyzing innovations in their organization and design will help elevate Ukrainian higher education facilities to a more contemporary level. Improving the architectural and planning structure of university research complexes during post-war reconstruction should be reflected in student diploma projects and design proposals.

The article is devoted to the study of land art as a direction in contemporary art and the analysis of its representation in the Arkaim Museum-Reserve. The philosophical foundations of land art and its key principles are considered: the use of natural materials, integration into the landscape, and gradual degradation under the influence of the elements. Using the example of Arkaim’s art objects (“The Contemplator,” “To the Sun! My Arkaim”), the author analyzes their conformity to the canons of the genre. The work also raises the problem of the institutionalization of land art through the creation of a land park, questioning the formal approach to the selection of works, which violates the original philosophy of the movement. The author concludes that the territory of the Arkaim Museum-Reserve can be interpreted as a land park as a whole.

In the era of 21st century educational transformation, schools are required not only to produce academically intelligent students, but also to have strong character, national values, and skills that are relevant to global challenges. One of the strategic efforts to realize this is through the implementation of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) which is in line with strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile (P5). This study aims to analyze the implementation of the PjBL model in shaping students’ holistic character and developing 21st century skills at Alifya Elementary School Bondowoso in 2025. The approach used is qualitative with a descriptive method. Data was collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews with teachers and students, and document analysis and project documentation. Data analysis is carried out through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and interactive conclusion drawn. The results of the study show that the implementation of PjBL at Alifya Elementary School Bondowoso is carried out systematically through contextual projects such as the creation of miniature villages and mini parks that foster the value of mutual cooperation, responsibility, and creativity. The project activities also strengthen the dimensions of the Pancasila Student Profile, including faith and noble character, independence, cooperation, critical reasoning, and creativity. In addition, 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity are developing significantly through planning activities, teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation of results. These findings confirm that PjBL not only improves cognitive achievement, but also shapes the moral, social, and spiritual character of students as a whole. Thus, the implementation of PjBL is an effective strategy in realizing the goal of national education based on Pancasila values in elementary schools.

This article uses the creation of Atlantic Motorsport Park (AMP), the only purpose-built road racing circuit in Atlantic Canada, as a lens to explain the wider efforts to modernize sports car competition in the region. Those efforts paralleled the contemporaneous regional political attempts to embrace industrial modernity that culminated in the illfated Bricklin sports car. Just as major changes in the auto industry helped to sink the Bricklin project, AMP eventually was overtaken by modernizing changes in Canadian motorsport, specifically commercialized professionalism. The voluntary efforts that built the track limited its ability to host the “big-league” races it was designed to attract. Ironically, while professional racing shifted to city-based circuits, the modest scale and the volunteer character of AMP ensured its survival as a club-operated venue for amateur motorsport.

The article analyzes the necessity and ways of creating a technology park at a higher military educational institution of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the light of the strategic objectives outlined in the Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev «The Economic Course of a Just Kazakhstan» dated September 1, 2023. A detailed algorithm for the step-by-step creation of a technology park is provided, with each stage being described. The main problems of the existing elements of the industrial and innovation infrastructure of the Republic of Kazakhstan are also highlighted, and ways to solve them are proposed. The study was conducted within the framework of program-specific financing of the IRN No.BR249005/0224 «Development of innovative designs for the manufacture and improvement of unmanned special-purpose aircraft systems based on the technological infrastructure of a higher military educational institution» (Funding source: Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

Geographers have long explored the relationship between visual imagery and protected places. In particular, the importance of photographs, landscape paintings, and postcards to the establishment and continued support for national parks is well documented. Despite the current ubiquity of film and video as an advocacy tool for environmental protection, the role that documentary film plays in protecting wild landscapes is not well understood. This article helps to address this knowledge gap through historical analysis of the Sierra Club’s 1958 film Wilderness Alps of Stehekin and its importance to the creation of North Cascades National Park. During the 1950s, the North Cascades faced new development pressure as the U.S. Forest Service increased timber sales and opened additional land to commercial logging. Consequently, David Brower and wilderness advocates within Washington State mobilized to protect the North Cascades from further resource extraction. This article argues that the film Wilderness Alps of Stehekin—a more-than-human entity—served as a central actor in this environmental campaign. Specifically, the film played a leading role not only in garnering statewide and national public support for preserving the North Cascades but also in uniting a fractured group of wilderness advocates around a specific strategy for protecting the area as a national park. Ultimately, this article helps to address how a documentary film can influence environmental politics. In doing so, it brings historical geography and media and communication geography into closer conversation and engagement.

The Paper discusses theoretical recognition of indigenous people’s rights vis-à-vis implementation through a case study of the Batwa. The article relies on secondary data analysis and literature review. The Batwa, who are indigenous peoples under international law, have not been recognized as such under Ugandan law. They were forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands in 1991 for the creation of Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, leaving them landless, dispossessed, and marginalized. The Paper examines international, regional, and domestic laws on indigenous peoples’ rights, highlighting their limitations and the extent to which they are enforced. It addresses the complexity in defining and identifying indigenous peoples in Africa and how this stalls progress in promoting their rights. Many African states have resisted the concept of indigeneity as understood under international law, arguing that all Africans are indigenous. As will be seen, this protracted debate on the applicability of indigeneity has made the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights problematic. The paper concludes that while vibrant laws providing for the protection of indigenous peoples' rights exist, many are unimplemented. For a paradigm shift, legal recognition of indigenous peoples in Uganda’s law is key, and political will to enforce their rights.

Статья направлена на изучение влияния интеграционных объединений, которые представляют собой технопарки, на ускорение инновационного развития предприятий, входящих в их состав. Предполагается, что за счёт эффекта масштаба и внутренней связности участников таких объединений повышаются возможности для инновационной деятельности и растёт их эффективность, что особенно актуально для небольших по размеру предприятий. По этой причине создание технопарков является одним из основных инструментов поддержки малого и среднего предпринимательства, которые, кстати, и являются их основными участниками. Статистический анализ действующих на данный момент в России технопарков показал, что в наибольший вклад в инновационное развитие экономики осуществляют участники технопарков, образованных ранее 2019 г. Другими словами, чем больше возраст технопарка, тем выше его организационный положительный эффект на инновации. С такой точки зрения целесообразен подход развития уже образованных парков в противовес тенденции увеличению их количества за счёт открытия новых. Хотя не стоит упускать из внимания и тот факт, что наиболее возрастные технопарки одновременно являются и самыми большими по числу резидентов и рабочих мест. А именно размер интеграционных объединений определяет их конкурентоспособность и способность к инновационному развитию. The article is aimed at studying the influence of integration associations, which are technology parks, on accelerating the innovative development of enterprises included in them. It is assumed that due to the scale effect and internal connectivity of the participants of such associations, the opportunities for innovative activities increase and their efficiency grows, which is especially important for small enterprises. For this reason, the creation of technology parks is one of the main tools for supporting small and medium-sized businesses, which, by the way, are their main participants. A statistical analysis of technology parks currently operating in Russia showed that the greatest contribution to the innovative development of the economy is made by participants in technology parks created before 2019. In other words, the older the technology park, the higher its organizational positive effect on innovation. From this point of view, the approach to developing already established parks is advisable, as opposed to the trend of increasing their number by opening new ones. Although one should not lose sight of the fact that the oldest technology parks are also the largest in terms of the number of residents and jobs. Namely, the size of integration associations determines their competitiveness and ability for innovative development.

Government regulation is an integral part of the formation of an innovative economy, playing a central role in creating and supporting an innovative environment that promotes sustainable economic growth and increases the country's competitiveness. In the context of globalization and rapid technological progress, government institutions must actively intervene in the development of new technologies, support research and development activities, and stimulate private and public investment in innovative projects. This article discusses key instruments of government regulation, such as tax incentives, subsidies for scientific research and the introduction of innovative technologies, as well as the role of government support for start-ups and small innovative enterprises. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of government agencies with scientific and educational institutions and the private sector, which ensures the effective implementation of innovations in production processes and an improved business climate. The article analyzes the impact of government initiatives on the development of innovative infrastructure, the creation of clusters and technology parks, as well as the formation of human resources necessary for the innovative transformation of the economy. The author concludes that comprehensive and consistent government regulation is the most important factor for the successful transition of the economy to an innovative path of development, which in turn contributes to increasing its global competitiveness and sustainability.