Changes in Space and Time
One of the fundamental tasks of geographers is to document and analyse the complex implications of environmental, territorial, societal, and global changes. Geographers working in a number of specialised sub-fields are able to provide key insights into spatial and temporal processes that have become increasingly global in their scope. Papers presented under the umbrella of this topic will provide a unique opportunity for scholars from diverse background to share their research and gain new perspectives on a definitely relevant topic.
Geography, Politics and Policy-making
Since the early 19th century the interplay between geography and politics, and the contribution of geography to policy-making has been intense. However, this linkage is overshadowed by growing environmental challenges, shifting power relations, mismatches of governance and decreasing levels of political representation in contemporary world. While the relevance of geography in policy-making as well as for understanding the contemporary world has been questioned, there are many possibilities how ‘we geographers’ can contribute to a better world.
GIScience
The common language of our community’s research spectrum is map-based representation, which in the last decades has developed to geoinformatical analysis, spatial data infrastructures and interactive webmap applications. This theme focuses on the
new methods and progressive results of geodata acquisition, storage, interpretation, and visualisation techniques in 2D or 3D software environments.
Hazards, Vulnerability, Risk Mitigation
In recent years, significant advances have been made in the areas of hazards, vulnerability and risk mitigation. Participants will discuss the impact of natural and human hazards on the Euro-Mediterranean region, consider questions about reducing the vulnerability to hazards, economic effects and human risks. Organisers intend to provide a forum for experts to share their opinion about risk mitigation strategies as well.
Landscape and Environment
This wide field embraces a number of classical physical geographical, geomorphological, hidrological, pedological and biogeographical topics. Moreover, we would like to invite presentations on issues of climate change as well, and the consequences of human impact on the topics mentioned above. General environmental studies and ones dealing with land use changes are also welcome, especially those focusing on landscape protection, planning and rehabilitation.
