Current Presentations / Posters

4^th Conference of the Adriatic Forum „Geopolitical Issues of the Adriatic −
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow"
from 16.9. to 18.9.2011 in Zadar (HR)

Presentation:
Cross-border Cooperation in the Austrian-Slovenian and Czech-Polish Border Areas: Conditions, Development and Perceptions
(in common with Mgr. Petr Kladivo, RNDr. Pavel Ptáček, Ph.D., Mgr. Pavel Roubinek)

Abstract: The paper would like to present preliminary results of Aktion Austria – Czech Republic project. In the theoretical introduction basic concepts of boundaries, borderlands, permeability of borders as well as cross-border collaboration, cooperation and networks will be visualized. This includes the determinants of the development of cross-border collaboration like historical context, cultural specificities, border regime and its changes, natural barriers and spatial structure which involve the specifics of the cross-border relations. In the second part of the paper a couple of main economic, demographical, social and natural characteristics of the Austrian-Slovenian and Czech-Polish border areas will be illustrated through tables and maps. First results of surveys among citizens of the border area of all four countries and some local elites (especially mayors of border municipalities) will give an insight into the cross-border interaction and collaboration, in particular INTERREG projects, and their perception. Future perspectives, recommendations and suggestions for further research will be presented at the end.

Workshop of the Working Group on Central Europe "Aspects of Central European identity"
from 14.9. to 15.9.2011 in Zadar (HR)

Presentation:
Regional identity in transborder region Lake Neusiedl/Fertö
(in common witth Prof. Dr. Éva Konkoly-Gyuró, Dr. Ágnes Tirászi, Dr. Lajos Puskás)

Abstract: The trans-border region of Neusiedler See/Fertö lies in a flat basin of the Little Hungarian Plain which is dominated by the shallow steppic lake and its broad reed belt. In 1918, after the First World War, the redrawing of political boundaries resulted in a division of the lake and the region into an Austrian and a Hungarian part. The western part is formed by the pronounced slope zone of low mountain ridges. The Seewinkel area, east of the lake, is characterized by a complex of small shallow lakes and dry grassland representing a former vast pasture landscape. The Lake and the Seewinkel area is an important breeding and resting area for several species of birds.The area of Hanság represents remnantsof the large wetlands in the south-eastern part of the region, connected with the lake. Nowadays, the two main economic sectors in the region are an intensive agriculture particularly crop-growing, wine growing and greenhouse-vegetable gardening and especially around the lake tourism and recreation. The landscape is designated as Biosphere Reserve, National Park, Ramsar Site and since 2001 as trans-border UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Within the framework of research projects between the University of Vienna, the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences in Vienna (BOKU) and the University of Western Hungary in Sopron which provided scientific basics for a redesigned and trans-border Biosphere Reserve the regional identity, among others, was explored by means of surveys on both sides of the border. Our central questions focused on the main image factors of the region and the mental maps of different groups – locals, tourists and actors (stakeholder groups). Regarding the surveys in Austria and Hungary it was interesting to find out if a trans-border perception of the Lake Neusiedl/Fertö Region is developed, and which differences are visible between the Austrian and the Hungarian view.