Forthcoming papers

Abstract

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of promoting territorial cohesion as an EU Treaty objective after 2027. It identifies emerging challenges that must be addressed and outlines the fundamental components of a new EU cohesion framework. Furthermore, it examines the process by which these elements should be integrated into the EU Multiannual Financial Framework beyond 2027. The paper presents some new and forward-looking proposals, including the establishment of a new coordination mechanism translating overarching EU goals into local and regional implementation efforts. It provides a snapshot in the EU debate on the future of territorial cohesion initiated and promoted by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council and supported by Polish and foreign scientists in 2023-2024. This article is exploratory and reflective in nature and is intended to serve as inspiration for further discussion. It is based on a review of research on the cohesion policy, as well as on the authors' expert knowledge.

Keywords: Territorial Cohesion, EU Cohesion Policy, EU Multiannual Financial Framework beyond 2027, place-based approach, inequalities, European semester, multi-level governance, structural funds

Piotr Żuber [p.zuber2@uw.edu.pl], Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies Warsaw University Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warsaw: Poland; Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy
John Bachtler [john.bachtler@strath.ac.uk], European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde Graham Hills Building 40 George Street, G1 1QE Glasgow: UK
Tomasz Komornicki [t.komorn@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Science Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw Poland; Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland
Radomir Matczak [rmatczak@swps.edu.pl], Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland; Institute of Social Science SWPS University Polna 16/20, 81-745 Sopot: Poland; InnoBaltica Równa 19/21, 80-067 Gdańsk: Poland
Adam Mikołajczyk [a.mikolajczyk@pomorskie.eu], Office of the Marshal of the Pomorskie Region Department for Regional and Spatial Development Okopowa 21/27, 80-810 Gdańsk: Poland
Aleksandra Nowakowska [aleksandra.nowakowska@uni.lodz.pl], Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland; Faculty of Economics and Sociology University of Lodz POW 3/5, 90-255 Łódź: Poland
Paweł Samecki [pawel.samecki@gmail.com], National Bank of Poland Świętokrzyska 11/2100-919 Warsaw: Poland
Jacek Szlachta [j.szlachta90@gmail.com], SGH Warsaw School of Economics Collegium of Socio-Economics al. Niepodległości 162, 02-554 Warsaw: Poland; Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland
Jacek Zaucha [jacek.zaucha@ug.edu.pl], Faculty of Economics University of Gdańsk Armii Krajowej 119/121, 81-824 Sopot: Poland

Abstract

The article focuses on wine tourism in Polish vineyards, which has been developing very dynamically in recent years, and aims to look at this phenomenon from the perspective of winemakers. It seeks to explore the primary motivations of winemakers for initiating enotourism activities and to analyse potential factors that support or hinder the development of tourism functions. The study is based on quantitative and qualitative research which involved direct on-site observations, source analysis, and a diagnostic survey that included questionnaires and interviews with winemakers. The primary reasons for introducing tourism offerings by winemakers, often concurrently with the very inception of the vineyard and the commencement of wine production, are the desire to increase direct sales, promote the brand, and establish and maintain relationships with customers and the local community. Many winemakers plan to expand their tourism activities, particularly in terms of accommodation services. However, current obstacles include high investment costs (especially related to the introduction of accommodation and catering services), shortage of appropriate personnel, lack of time, and difficulties in balancing vineyard work with tourist services. 

Keywords: wine tourism, enotourism, tourism offer, vineyard management, winemakers, benefits, challenges, local development, Poland

Edyta Pijet-Migoń [edyta.migon@wroclaw.merito.pl], Faculty of Finance and Management WSB Merito University in Wroclaw Fabryczna 29-31, 53-609 Wrocław: Poland
Marta Sidorkiewicz [marta.sidorkiewicz@usz.edu.pl], Faculty of Economics Finance and Management, Institute of Management University of Szczecin Cukrowa 8, 71-004 Szczecin: Poland
Karolina Królikowska [karolina.krolikowska@upwr.edu.pl], Institute of Spatial Management Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław: Poland
Anna Dubel [adubel@agh.edu.pl], Faculty of Management AGH University of Krakow al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow: Poland
Berenika Dyczek [berenika.dyczek@uwr.edu.pl], Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Sociology University of Wrocław Koszarowa 3, 51-147, Wroclaw: Poland

Abstract

The research examines how tourists experience the German-Polish maritime border as a symbolic boundary which exists beyond physical separation because of memory, movement, and meaning. The research addresses a gap in border and tourism studies by using a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach to analyse 116 tourist narratives through the lenses of the bordering-debordering-rebordering concept, liminality and emotional geography. Tourists experience the border as an invisible yet tangible presence which serves as a historical reflection zone with fluid identity and ambiguous emotional responses. By theorising concepts like floating thresholds and symbolic permeability, the study reconceptualises maritime borders as dynamic spatial imaginaries in post-Schengen Europe.

Keywords: : maritime border, cross-border tourism, border perception, emotional geography, liminality, bordering processes, German-Polish border, post-Schengen mobility, border tourism

Denis Cerić [d.ceric@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland
Marek Więckowski [marekw@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland

Abstract

Accelerated technological change, particularly the rise of digital platforms, has fundamentally changed everyday activities such as mobility and consumption, with notable spatial implications, especially in urban areas. These platforms have become a prominent force in the transformation of space, giving rise to new academic fields of study, such as the sharing economy and, more recently, platform urbanism. In this paper, we offer an empirical snapshot of platform embeddedness in the urban space through a case study of a shared-use mobility platform in the Hungarian context. Using data from a ridesharing platform, we analyze the main characteristics and spatial distribution of locations that serve as meeting points within settlement borders. Our findings reveal a trend of spatial asymmetry, with meeting points predominantly located near main roads and highways – reflecting the utilitarian preferences of ridesharing participants. Furthermore, concentrations near city centers suggest a balance between functional proximity to major routes and symbolic or practical value tied to landmarks and accessibility. Notably, many of the most popular meeting points are located at hypermarkets, indicating that not only traditional transportation hubs, but also informal, non-transport-specific spaces, are being repurposed through platform use. Based on our results regarding where meeting points tend to emerge, we introduce the concept of ‘platform-attracting urban places’ to contribute to the conceptualization of the spatial impact of digital platforms on urban environments.

Keywords: digital platforms, ridesharing, meeting points, platform data, platform-attracting urban places, Hungarian settlements

Dóra Bálint [dorabalint29@gmail.com], ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies Institute for Regional Studies Papnövelde Street 22, H-7621 Pécs: Hungary
Ildikó Egyed [egyed.ildiko@krtk.elte.hu], ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies Institute for Regional Studies Papnövelde Street 22, H-7621 Pécs: Hungary

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of the variability of the vegetation period (VP) and of the intensive vegetation period (IVP) in Poland in the years 1961-2020. Using average monthly values of air temperature from 55 weather stations in Poland, the VP and IVP onset- and end-dates were determined. A substantial spatial variability was found in the timing of the onset and termination of the VP and IVP in Poland. A statistically significant trend towards a longer vegetation period was also observed. The considerable extension of the VP and IVP affects the environment and human activities. 

Keywords: vegetation period, intensive vegetation period, climate change, Poland

Marek Kejna [makej@umk.pl], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management Nicolaus Copernicus University Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland
Aleksandra Pospieszyńska [opos@umk.pl], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management Nicolaus Copernicus University Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland; Centre for Climate Change Research Nicolaus Copernicus University Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń: Poland

Abstract

Thalli of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. lichen collected in locations featuring different pollutant deposit conditions in the urban space of Kielce, including those with intense vehicle traffic, low emission and alkalization from the nearby cement and limestone plant and the open-pit mine were subject to microscopic analyses. The lichen surface had cellular structures with particles characteristic of respective pollutant sources of identified shape and chemical composition (SEM/EDS). The predominant type of particles in the city includes mineral dusts containing silicon and aluminium (natural mineral weathering) and soot with carbon, sulphur and nitrogen (low emission and transport). Sharp-edged structures exceeding 20 µm made of calcium, magnesium and sulphur (cement and lime particles) accompany much smaller, round particles with ø <5 µm containing iron, aluminium and other heavy metals (industrial fossil fuel combustion). The micrographs taken were used to build a model to create a self-learning pollutant identification system based on the activity of deep neural networks (ResNet). The trained algorithm is able to detect individual items in new micrographs with 71% result. Adding up areas of identified objects (using Euclidean equation) allows identifying their emission sources. 

Keywords: lichen, air pollution, Kielce, SEM/EDS, machine learning

Mirosław Szwed [miroslaw.szwed@ujk.edu.pl], Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce Żeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce: Poland
Dariusz Pasieka [dariusz.pasieka@ujk.edu.pl], Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce Żeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce: Poland