Vladimir Stojanović

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 requires active engagement of local communities in environmental protection and sustainable urban development. Although residents play a critical role in supporting sustainability initiatives, limited research has examined how community-related factors shape environmental attitudes, environmental engagement, and support for sustainable behaviour in urban tourism destinations. This study investigates the relationships among destination social responsibility, community attachment, community involvement, environmental attitudes, community environmental participation, environmental advocacy and action, perceived environmental benefits, and support for sustainable behaviour among residents of Novi Sad, Serbia. Data were collected from 1038 residents and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that community attachment positively influences environmental attitudes and support for sustainable behaviour, while community involvement enhances community environmental participation and environmental advocacy and action. Environmental attitudes positively affect community environmental participation, environmental advocacy and action, and perceived environmental benefits. Perceived environmental benefits, in turn, strengthen support for sustainable behaviour. Conversely, destination social responsibility does not significantly influence community attachment or community involvement. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening residents’ attachment to their community, encouraging participation in local affairs, and fostering positive environmental attitudes to promote sustainable urban development. The study contributes to sustainable urban tourism research by identifying key social and psychological mechanisms that encourage environmental engagement and support for sustainability-oriented behaviour.

Continuing urbanization, together with climate change manifestations, including the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves, prompts the adoption of various cooling interventions in urban outdoor spaces. Evaporative misting systems have gained popularity as a cost-effective heat mitigation measure, particularly in hospitality venues. However, their effectiveness in moderate climates remains understudied. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these systems in restaurant outdoor seating areas in Novi Sad, Serbia, during hot summer days in 2022 and 2023. Simultaneous micrometeorological measurements were conducted at multiple locations in restaurant outdoor seating areas (sun-exposed, shaded, misted, and non-misted sites), with mean radiant temperature (MRT), Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) being calculated. Additionally, to capture subjective perceptions of microclimatic conditions, questionnaire surveys were conducted with restaurant guests. Results revealed significant location-specific variability in cooling effectiveness. The most favorable thermal conditions occurred in shade; however, in sun-exposed locations, misting systems showed inconsistent performance, sometimes even worsening thermal conditions. Despite these inconsistencies, questionnaire results showed that guests consistently perceived improved thermal comfort under misting systems. Further research should include measurements across different times of day and seasons in moderate climates and across different misting types and intervals to better understand misting systems’ cooling benefits.

Članak ispituje preciznu teorijsko-empirijsku tezu koja se javlja na sjecištu Levinasove fenomenologije lica i biopolitičke realnosti balkanske migrantske rute u periodu 2015-2024. Levinas u Totalité et Infini (1969) i Autrement qu'être (1981) zasniva svoju etiku na susretu s licem Drugog kao događaju koji prethodi svakoj administrativnoj ili konceptualnoj redukciji; lice nameće asimetričnu, hiperbolicnu odgovornost koja odbija kategorizaciju. Ipak, sigurnosniaparatkoji upravlja balkanskom rutom — Frontex, nacionalna policija EU i ne-EU država članica, IOM- vođeni prihvatni centri, sistemi biometrijske registracije — djeluje upravo kroz kategorijalnu redukciju. Originalan doprinos članka je konstrukcija tipologije pet Levinasovskih modova zatvaranja lica, kojima sigurnosno-administrativniaparatsistematski transformiše fenomenološko lice u administrativni entitet. Pet modova su: (1) numerička redukcija (dodjela broja predmeta, brisanje vlastitog imena); (2) biometrijska fragmentacija (otisak prstiju, retina skeniranje, razdvajanje lica u mjerljive parametre); (3) jezička standardizacija (prevod kroz standardizovane forme i ovlaštene interpretere); (4) prostorna izolacija (zatvoreni prihvatni centri, isključene zone, “zamrzavanje” mobilnosti); (5) vremensko zaustavljanje (indefinitno čekanje, frozen status, postponiranje kao tehnika upravljanja). Članak primjenjuje ovu tipologiju empirijski na četiri studije slučaja duž rute — Lipa centar u Bosni i Hercegovini, Adaševci centar u Srbiji, hrvatsko-bosanski push-back režim, te slovensko-italijanski readmissions koridor — i pokazuje da ni jedan mod ne djeluje izolovano; svi formiraju integrisanaparatčiji kumulativni učinak je sistematska konverzija Levinasovskog lica u ono što ja zovem “administrativnim ostatkom”. Članak argumentuje da ova konverzija ne ukida etičku odgovornost — Levinas bi to predvidio — nego otkriva ono što ostaje od njegovog hiperbolicnog zahtjeva nakon što je lice birokratski reducirano: rezidualnu, asimetričnu obavezu koja se javlja upravo kao jaz između formalne procedure i etičkog događaja. Ključne riječi: Levinas, etika Drugog, lice, biopolitika, balkanska migrantska ruta, sigurnosni aparat, Bosna i Hercegovina, push-back, Frontex, fenomenologija, zatvaranje lica, EU granični režim, administrativni ostatak.

Sustainable tourism is a key strategy for nurturing tourists' relationships with the values of protected areas, which is beneficial for conservation. Since tourism activities may potentially harm the environment, maintaining the sustainability of the destination heavily relies on tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviour (TERB). This study aims to investigate TERB in protected areas, which have been identified as exceptional and therefore require preservation and appreciation. To comprehend TERB, the conceptual framework is based on the Knowledge-Belief-Norm (KBN) theory . Data for this research were collected through a survey of tourists visiting ecotourism and geotourism destinations. The structural equation model demonstrates the linear relationship between KBN theory constructs and TERB, while TERB positively influences satisfaction and indirectly affects behavioural intentions. Geotourists and ecotourists were not distinguished from one another. Practical implications provide insights into reducing the environmental impact of tourist activities when creating effective strategies.

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Highland wetlands might be considered as an important aspect of ecosystem functioning, preservation of biodiversity, as well as of sustenance of human livelihoods. Delicate nature of these ecosystems, coupled with the necessity for judicious natural resource utilization, has prompted extensive discourse on strategies for fostering sustainable development within highland wetlands. Perception and involvement of the local community members in sustainable development of tourism within these regions are paramount for effective tourism management and preservation of designated protected areas. This research was conducted in Pestersko polje highland wetlands, designated special nature reserve and Ramsar Site in Serbia. Situated within an isolated border region of Serbia, the Pestersko polje Ramsar Site exemplifies the characteristics typical of highland wetlands. The main aim of this study was to provide better understanding of the local community members? perceptions of sustainable development of tourism and the manner in which their perception is affected by socio-demographic profile. The collected data were analyzed on the basis of using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlations, ANOVA, and independent samples ttest. Findings of this research indicated strong community support for sustainable tourism, coupled with a commitment to nature conservation. However, disparities in attitudes between residents of highland and lowland wetland regions were observed. This underscores the need to account for diverse contextual factors influencing policy formulation and planning for sustainable tourism initiatives, tailored to the specificities of each individual wetland area. Consequently, the study advocates for the adoption of guidelines aimed at fostering sustainable tourism practices within highland wetlands.

Biosphere reserves are protected areas recognized internationally as part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme. Their purpose is to test interdisciplinary approaches to managing interactions between ecological and social systems. Populated areas and communities of local inhabitants, with their customs, culture, and heritage, are integral parts of numerous biosphere reserves worldwide. Several initiatives and documents encourage the promotion of cultural diversity in biosphere reserves. Th e main objective of this study is to offer a fresh perspective on the significance of the cultural heritage of the Croats (Šokci) minority community located in the Serbian part of the cross-border Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) Biosphere Reserve. Th e study makes use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to achieve this goal. Seven experts, who are considered as being connoisseurs of the cultural heritage of the Croats (Šokci) and the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, were interviewed as part of this study. Th e results indicate that factors such as sense of belonging and pride of the local community are crucial for the preservation and management of cultural values in the Biosphere Reserve. Th ese aspects can also play a practical role in tourism development, which is recognized as one of the most significant activities in biosphere reserves across the globe.

Youth migration has significant consequences that lead to depopulation and less sustainability of local business, which is particularly pronounced in rural areas. All of this contributes to the potential devastation of rural communities, an impact that could be highly significant and far-reaching. Entrepreneurship and the innovation it brings with it can be important markers for effective rural development if changes are needed. Therefore, the primary objectives of our research were to determine how socio-demographic factors determine the attitudes of young rural people regarding openness to entrepreneurship, whether young rural people believe they have the ability to engage in entrepreneurship and take actionable steps, and what is the relationship between openness and entrepreneurial capacity. The research was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024 among 299 participants in rural areas of two neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia. The results indicate various factors that influence rural youth’s openness to entrepreneurship, such as unemployment, age and country of origin. Also, the results show a positive correlation between openness to entrepreneurship and the perception of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the study found significant differences between respondents from Serbia and Croatia in the assessment of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. The results of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of how young people perceive and experience life in rural areas, and highlight potential challenges related to their specific needs. This insight enables key stakeholders to design programs that support youth in starting businesses and sustaining entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, the study offers both a theoretical and practical basis for future research, serving as a valuable guide for the improvement of rural communities, that is, guidelines for strategies that focus on inclusive development based on the revitalization of social frameworks.

This study investigated the intersection of healthy and sustainable human settlement, and land use for spa tourism in rural areas. Recognizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the future of tourism, this research aimed to provide an insight into the young local rural community representatives’ perception of sustainable spa tourism development and to identify whether these attitudes are shaped by their socio-demographic characteristics. The applied methodology was the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). A total of 254 respondents took part in this research. Using SPSS 30.0.0, the gathered data were subjected to additional analyses based on factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and the general linear model. The results showed a general positive attitude of local community members towards the further development of spa tourism in their communities. The especially important factors were the following: long-term planning of development, environmental protection, negative attitudes towards spa tourism development, economic benefits, as well as community participation. By providing an empirical analysis based on the use of robust tools for measuring youth attitudes, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and community leaders into how they can design and implement tourism strategies that align with sustainability principles while fostering local economic development and environmental stewardship. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader discussion on developing healthy, sustainable human settlements that balance economic benefits with ecological and social well-being. Synergy/harmony between communities and their natural surroundings is essential for the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of rural human settlements. Mineral springs and spas facilitate sensory experiences for individuals (both tourists and residents) through the utilization of natural resources and the environment.

The interpretation of natural values and the management of visitors in protected areas are related in multiple ways and are an important link in nature protection activities. This paper examines the basic elements of the interpretation and management of visitors in the selected protected areas of the Republic of Croatia. Protected areas are one of the main attributes of the tourist image of Croatia, with significant economic effects in the generated traffic of visitors. However, this can also contribute to the degradation of natural values or, on the other hand, can help protect nature. Due to such challenges, it is necessary to better understand the importance of visitor centres, tourist tours and the way in which codes of ethics are applied in protected areas. In this paper the representation of environmental interpretation techniques and tools in seven protected areas in Croatia were investigated, using information that was obtained mainly through survey research. The basic results indicate that Croatia has made progress in the previous period in the field of interpretation of natural and cultural values in its protected areas. Such progress is not only related to regions where tourism has a mass character and where visits are significant, but has also been made in remote continental parts of the country. Such an approach in the development of protected areas also indicates that these areas are not only massive tourist destinations, but also places for a more complex understanding of the concept of nature protection and sustainable development associated with the use of its potentials.