4th Joint Congress of the Czech and Slovak Geographical Societies

Scientific Programme

Physical Geography, Landscape Processes and Environmental Modeling

This section focuses on landscape processes, geomorphology, hydrology, biogeography and climate dynamics, as well as on the modeling of environmental systems and landscape dynamics. Contributions addressing landscape variability and change, extreme events, environmental transformations, scenario-based simulations, and predictive modeling are particularly encouraged. Both empirical and modeling-based studies are welcome.

Human Geography, Regional Development and Theoretical Approaches

Dedicated to contemporary issues in human geography, this section explores spatial dimensions of socio-economic transformation, regional disparities, demographic change, mobility, and migration. Special emphasis is placed on post-socialist transformation processes, cross-border cooperation, regional policy, and socio-spatial inequalities in Central and Eastern Europe.In addition to empirical research, the section also welcomes conceptual and methodological reflections in human geography, including contributions engaging with theories of space, region, place and identity, as well as discussions of evolving theoretical approaches within the discipline.

Socio-Spatial Inequalities and Human Capital Dynamics

This section focuses on spatial dimensions of social and economic inequalities across urban, regional, and national scales. It welcomes contributions addressing segregation, polarization, demographic change, migration, labor market disparities, education, and the redistribution of human capital. Particular attention is given to processes shaping uneven development, peripheralization, and social cohesion, as well as policy responses aimed at reducing spatial disparities. Comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives are encouraged.

Urban Studies and Spatial Planning

This section addresses contemporary transformations of urban and metropolitan systems from both urban geography and spatial planning perspectives. It welcomes contributions on urban restructuring, changing retail and service landscapes, housing dynamics, socio-spatial inequalities, and evolving urban morphology and land-use patterns, as well as sustainable mobility, transport systems, smart city initiatives, and digital planning approaches. Particular attention is given to climate-responsive planning, including urban heat stress, green and blue infrastructure, resilience strategies, and governance frameworks supporting environmental sustainability and climate adaptation. Interdisciplinary and policy-oriented contributions bridging physical and human geography are strongly encouraged.

Geoinformatics, Geovisualization and Artificial Intelligence in Geography

Reflecting the growing importance of geospatial technologies, this section addresses theoretical and applied aspects of GIScience, spatial statistics, geospatial data infrastructures, and advanced analytical approaches. Contributions involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, big geospatial data, and spatial modeling are welcome. This section also includes innovative visualization techniques and immersive technologies such as VR/AR.

Remote Sensing and Earth Observation in Environmental Research

This section highlights methodological advances and applications of satellite, airborne, and UAV-based remote sensing in environmental and geographical research. Topics may include land cover change detection, urban climate analysis, ecosystem monitoring, and multi-source data integration.

Health Geography, Environmental Risks and Spatial Epidemiology

This section examines spatial relationships between environmental conditions and human health. Contributions may address heat stress, air pollution, environmental exposure, spatial epidemiology, and public health resilience, reflecting increasing interdisciplinary collaboration between geography and health sciences.

Natural Hazards, Risk Assessment and Resilience

Dedicated to hazard research and risk governance, this section covers natural and anthropogenic hazards, vulnerability assessment, disaster risk reduction, and resilience-building strategies. Geospatial technologies in hazard mapping and crisis management are central themes.

Landscape Ecology, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

This section builds on the long-standing research tradition in landscape studies, focusing on land-use change, landscape fragmentation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem service assessment. Interdisciplinary approaches integrating geography, ecology, and spatial analysis are encouraged.

Participatory GIS, Citizen Science and Community Mapping

This section highlights public engagement in geospatial data production and spatial decision-making. Topics include participatory mapping, crowdsourcing, open data platforms, and ethical dimensions of community-based research.

Political Geography and Geopolitics

This section explores the spatial dimensions of power, territory, borders, and international relations in a rapidly changing world. Contributions are invited on topics such as geopolitical shifts, border dynamics, territorial conflicts, energy security, resource geopolitics, nationalism and identity politics, EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies, as well as the impacts of great-power competition on regional stability. Special emphasis is placed on post-socialist transformations, cross-border regions, hybrid threats, and the geopolitics of Central and Eastern Europe in the broader European and global context. Interdisciplinary approaches combining political geography with international relations, security studies, and critical geopolitics are particularly welcome. Both theoretical and empirical case studies, including those addressing current crises and future scenarios, are encouraged.

Geography Education and Didactics in a Changing World

This section is dedicated to contemporary research and innovation in geography education and the didactics of geography at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Contributions may focus on curriculum transformation in the context of climate change, sustainability, digitalization, and global citizenship education. The section particularly welcomes research on inquiry-based learning, field-based teaching, geospatial technologies in education (GIS, remote sensing, digital mapping), and the integration of spatial thinking into school curricula. Comparative studies of geography education systems, teacher training and professional development, as well as assessment of geographical competencies, are strongly encouraged.