English

GEOGRAPHY OF LEISURE RESEARCH CENTER (GeoVoČ)

Website: http://web.natur.cuni.cz/ksgrrsek/geovoc/

Contact: dana.fialova@natur.cuni.cz, vagner@natur.cuni.cz

 Team leaders: RNDr. Dana Fialová, Ph.D., RNDr. Jiří Vágner, Ph.D.

Team members:  doc. RNDr. Jana Spilková, Ph.D.; RNDr. Tereza Kůsová; Mgr. Veronika Marianovská (Dumbrovská), Mgr. Iveta Čtveráková; Mgr. Anna Čtvrtníková; Mgr. Lukáš Nekolný; Mgr. Tomáš Krajňák

RESEARCH FOCUS OF THE TEAM

The Geography of Leisure Research Center (GeoVoČ) is a working group comprised of scholars, educators, doctoral students and students conducting basic and applied research. Geographical research is focused on tourism, second homes (summer homes and cottages), recreation, leisure time activities and lifestyle. GeoVoČ is a working group of the Department of Social Geography and Regional Development of the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague.

The Center’s aim is to contribute to understanding developments in and the transformation of regional differentiation in tourism. The Center analyzes new supply and demand trends, current forms of tourism and the impact of tourism on geographical environments. Lifestyle research includes examinations of changes in human spatial behavior and the effects and impacts of leisure activities on the land. Second homes are a pivotal research topic, including their development, current changes and trends and predictions.  The Center assesses phenomena associated with second homes, recreation apartments and recreation areas. Functional transformation, commercialization and internationalization have been identified as the most influential processes based on international comparison. At the general level research is focused on the regional identity of rural actors and the perception of tourism space. Applied research is focused on the effects of these phenomena and processes on local and regional development.

SELECTED PROJECTS

Turistifikace a efekt turistické pasti : případová studie gheta v historickém centru Prahy (Charles University Science Foundation, 2016-2017); main investigator:  Mgr. Veronika Dumbrovská

Touristification and effect of tourist trap: the case study of the turist ghetto in the historical centra of Prague

The aim of the project is to analyse poszitive and negative impacts of ghettoization of tourism in the historical centre of Prague and their possible future development implication for the city environment, residents and the tourism inselft.

Geografie alternativních potravinových sítí a udržitelné spotřeby (Czech Science Foundation, 2012-2015); main investigator: RNDr. Jana Spilková, Ph.D.

Geography of alternative food networks and sustainable consumption

The aim of this project is to present basic types of alternative food networks and describe their distribution throughout the Czech Republic. In addition the project is focused on identifying the potential for producing “local” food and analyzing awareness about and interest in this food and the social and spatial context of its consumption.

 

Holandské vesničky v Čechách: nová forma mezinárodního turismu na počátku 21. století (Czech Science Foundation, 2012-2014); main investigator: PaedDr. Hana Horáková Ph.D., Metropolitan University Prague; co-investigator: RNDr. Dana Fialová, Ph.D.

Dutch Villages in the Czech Republic: a New Form of International Tourism in the Early 21 Century

The aim of this project is to comprehensively and comparatively analyze the process of transformation of, as well as development strategies in, five rural Czech communities, in which a unique form of international rural tourism has been developing over the last decade; these communities are known colloquially as Dutch villages, and include second homes and recreational complexes. The project examines the effects of contemporary forms of voluntary mobility and international tourism on local communities. It focuses on socioeconomic, political, cultural and demographic transformations currently underway in the affected rural communities. Research is interdisciplinary. The issues of transformation and development are analyzed from the perspective of the anthropology of tourism (in cooperation with the Metropolitan University Prague) and social geography.

Success factors of success of thermal parks in Visegrad Group countries: exchange of good practices (International Visegrad Fund 2012–2013)

Main investigator: Insitute of Urban Development, Krakow, Polsko, investigator in Czechia: RNDr. Jiří Vágner, Ph.D.

The project analyses development of thermal parks in Centraleuropean countries, assesses process of their construction and localization. At broader level trends in development of health, active and wellness tourism are investigated.

Význam rekreační funkce sídel a obcí v procesu formování regionální identity a identity regionů v ČR (Czech Science Foundation, 2009-2011); main investigator: RNDr. Dana Fialová, Ph.D.

The significance of tourist function of settlements and municipalities in the process of formation of regional identity and identity of regions in CR

On the theoretical level intensive research focused on examining the relationships between tourists, residents, and other actors (e.g. local governments, hoteliers, makers of regional products, etc.) and the formation of regional identity and the identity of regions in select peripheral areas with high recreational use. New trends in second homes were studied (such as the transformation of the second home phenomenon, the transition to amenity migration and the development of new forms of second homes). Applicable results stem from the following hypothesis: Feelings of regional identity among both residents and tourists were practically the same.  Areas where much of the population was non-native were exceptions, as here tourists indentified more strongly with the region. Dominant regional symbols are important components of the identity of regions with which both residents and tourists identify. These symbols are used for destination management when advertising the region outside of its boundaries. The makers of regional products are especially aware of this fact as they are interested in cooperation with other actors. With few exceptions in most municipalities tourists and local residents form one community defining local social life; the local resident-tourist dichotomy is rarely found. Many local residents favor the idea of tourists being involved in local governments, which is a major finding.  Based on the intensity of identification of actors it can be stated that the lower the administrative level, the stronger regional identity was, especially among local residents.

 

Geografie a maloobchod: fenomén nakupování v postkomunistické společnosti a prostoru (Czech Science Foundation, post-doctoral project, 2008-2010); main investigator: RNDr. Jana Spilková, Ph.D.

Geography and retailing: the phenomenon of shopping in a post-communist society and space

This project focused on the issue of public consensus and the planning of large retail units. One of the aims of this project was to analyze consumer behavior and public opinion about (and attitudes towards) the construction boom in large retail units in recent years.  It also touched upon several shopping-related issues and opened up further research questions that should lead to the establishment of new research agendas in social geography as well as in other (social) sciences.

 

MAJOR PUBLICATIONS

Books

FIALOVÁ, D., STEYEROVÁ, M., SEMOTANOVÁ, E. (2015): Vltavské ostrovy v Praze. [Vltava Islands in Prague] Praha, ČGS, 112 s. ISBN 978-80-905642-2-0

As specific places within the confines of the capital, Vltava islands are certainly among the public areas considerably shaping the Prague cityscape. For this reason, they are worth the attention of everyone, irrespective of age and qualification. In order to make professional decisions on their future, one has to know both their past and present. This is why this book brings historical information on both the existing and disappeared Vltava islands within the boundaries of present-day Prague in the form of fitting texts. When it comes to the existing islands, there is a documentation of their current state, to which the views of the public were added. This means the people who visit these places as well as the actors who operate on the islands. For the sake of a better illustration, a use was made of a rich graphic documentation consisting of some engravings capturing the islands in the mid-19^th century, slices of old maps of Prague and photos from 2010-2014. These graphic elements are supplemented with brief notes (in Czech and English) describing the depicted sites in the islands and their closest vicinity. Thanks to this, the book expands the information of the Czech version of the exhibition “Vltava Islands in Prague,” installed for the first time at the turn of 2014 and 2015 at the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague. The book can be borrowed in the Geographic Library of the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague.

BLAŽKOVÁ T., FIALOVÁ, D., MATOUŠEK, V. (eds.) (2014): Individuální a masová rekreace v okolí velkých industriálních měst v 19.–21. století. Praha, Togga, s.r.o., 233 s. ISBN 978-80-7476-063-1 

HORÁKOVÁ, H., FIALOVÁ, D. (2014): Transformace venkova. Turismus jako forma rozvoje. Plzeň: Vydavatelství a nakladatelství Aleš Čeněk, s.r.o., 398 s. ISBN 978-80-7380-537-1

SPILKOVÁ, J. (2012): Geografie maloobchodu a spotřeby: Věda o nakupování. [The Geography of Retail and Consumption: The Science of Shopping]. Praha, Karolinum.

The retail sector has undergone many radical changes over the past twenty years, which involved not only ownership and organizational structures and the physical construction of new retail units, but also changes in the essence of shopping and Czech consumer shopping behavior. One of the most marked features of the current Czech retail sector is the concentration of retail and the changing structure of the retail network in Czechia; small shops have been replaced by larger retail units. Shopping malls have become a new phenomenon in Czech consumer society. They are not only spaces for shopping; they have completely changed shopping preferences, shopping style and consumer’s motivation to shop. The significance of retail geography, a special branch of geography, has increased due to these dynamic changes in the retail sector.

Several relevant topics are presented which are currently the focus of research and analysis: localization, planning, shopping behavior, customer preference, retail environments and free time activities, micro-spatial aspects of shopping environments, consumer culture and society, alternative consumption, etc. Each chapter includes case studies and detailed descriptions using specific examples from Czechia.

Journal publications and chapters in scholarly books

ČTVERÁKOVÁ, I., FIALOVÁ, D., KUČERA, Z., CHROMÝ, P.  (2016): Barriers in functioning of czech geoparks in the context of different circumstances. Acta Universitatis Carolinea Geographica,  51, č. 2, s. 235–246. ISSN 2336-1980 (SCOPUS) zde

SPILKOVÁ, J., VÁGNER, J. (2016): The loss of land devoted to allotment gardening: The context of the contrasting pressures of urban planning, public and private interests in Prague, Czechia. Land Use Policy, 52, s. 232–239.

FIALOVÁ, D., VÁGNER, J. (2014):  The owners of second homes of rural space in Czechia. Acta Universitatis Carolinea Geographica, 46, č.2, s.21-28

DUMBROVSKÁ, V., FIALOVÁ, D. (2014): Tourist Intensity in Capital Cities in Central Europe: Comparative Analysis of Tourism in Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Czech Journal of Tourism, roč.3, č. 1, s. 5–26.

SPILKOVÁ, J., PERLÍN, R. (2013): Farmers´ markets in Czechia: risks and possibilities. Journal of Rural Studies 32(10), 220-229.

SPILKOVÁ J., FENDRYCHOVÁ, L., SYROVÁTKOVÁ, M. (2013): Farmers’ markets in Prague: A new challenge within the urban shoppingscape. Agriculture and Human Values 30(2), 179-191.

SPILKOVÁ, J. (2013): Leisure time preferences and health-risk behavior of teenagers in the post-communist Central European countries. Children’s Geographies,  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14733285.2013.848742#.Um5xzPnX9uA    IF 0,860

SPILKOVÁ, J., FIALOVÁ, D. (2013): Building fertile links with regional brands: The case of Czech regional products. In Figueiredo, E., Raschi, A. (eds.): Fertile Links? Connections between tourism activities, socioeconomic contexts and local development in European rural areas. Firenze, Firenze University Press, s. 215-235,

VÁGNER, J, (2013): General information about emerging thermal parks in the Czech Republic: just in the point of birth. In Dej M., Huculak, M., Jarczewski, V. (2013): Recreational use of geothermal water in Visegrád Group countries. Institut of Urban Development, Kraków, 201 s.

SPILKOVÁ, J., FIALOVÁ, D. (2012): Culinary Tourism Packages and Regional Brands in Czechia.Tourism Geographies: An International Journal of Tourism Space, Place and Environment. Online 04 oct 2012http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14616688.2012.726268

FIALOVÁ, D. (2012): Druhé bydlení v zázemí Prahy. In: Ouředníček, M., Temelová, J. (eds.): Sociální proměny pražských čtvrtí. Academia, Praha.

FIALOVÁ, D., VÁGNER, J. (2012): Regionální identita obyvatel a rekreantů v periferních oblastech Česka. In: Temelová, J., Pospíšilová, L., Ouředníček, M. (eds.): Nové sociálně prostorové nerovnosti, lokální rozvoj a kvalita života. Aleš Čeněk, s.r.o, Praha.

KUBÍN, E.M. (2012): Trips to Poland as part of the offer of Czech travel agencies. Attractiveness of Poland as a tourist destination in the eyes of employess of travel agencies located in Prague. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geographica., 47, č. 1.

FIALOVÁ, D., VÁGNER, J. (2012): Impacts of second home tourism on shaping regional identities in regions with significant recreational function. Encontros Científicos – Tourism & Management Studies, 8, s. 285–294.

SPILKOVÁ, J. (2012): The birth of the Czech mall enthusiast:the transition of shoppinghabits from utilitarian to leisure shopping. Geografie, 117, č.1, s. 21–32.

KADLECOVÁ, V., FIALOVÁ, D. (2012): Timesharing a apartmánové byty. Urbanismus a územní rozvoj, 15, č. 1, s. 20–25.

GELNÁ, T., FIALOVÁ, D. (2011): Zábavní komplexy a jejich využití v cestovním ruchu. Czech Hospitality and Tourism Papers – Hotelnictví, lázeňství, turismus, 7, č. 13, s. 115–135.

GELNÁ, T., FIALOVÁ, D. (2011): Changes in the current Czech and German society and their effects on free time spending. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geographica, 46, č. 2, s. 55–66.

SPILKOVÁ, J., RADOVÁ, L. (2011): The Formation of Identity in Teenage Mall Microculture: A Case Study of Teenagers in Czech Malls. Sociologický časopis, 47, č. 3, s. 565–586.

VÁGNER, J., MüLLER, D., FIALOVÁ, D. (2011): Second Home Tourism in the Central-European and in the Nordic Countries: A Comparison of Czechia and Sweden. Geografie, 116, č. 2, s. 191–210.

KUBÍN, E. M. (2011): Attractiveness of Poland as a tourist destination in the eyes of Czech students of primary schools. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geographica, 46, č. 1, s. 15–22.

GELNÁ, T., FIALOVÁ, D. (2010): Ekonomické dopady zábavních komplexů na regiony. Regionální studia, 4, č. 1, s. 17–23.

KADLECOVÁ V., FIALOVÁ, D. (2010): Recreational housing, a phenomenon significantly affecting rural areas. Moravian Geographical Reports, 18, č. 1, s. 38–44.

FIALOVÁ, D., CHROMÝ, P., KUČERA, Z., SPILKOVÁ, J., ŠTYCH, P., VÁGNER, J. (2010): The importance of settlement recreational function in the process of forming regional identity and identity of regions in Czechia. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geographica, 45, č. 1–2, s. 79–60.

FIALOVÁ, D., KADLECOVÁ, V., NOŽIČKOVÁ, V., VÁGNER, J. (2009): Changes in second housing in the integrating Europe. In: Wilk, W. (ed.): Global Changes: Their Regional and Local Aspects. Proceedings of the 6^th Polish-Czech-Slovak Geographical Seminar. University of Warsaw, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, Warsaw, s. 171–178.

SPILKOVÁ, J., HOCHEL, M. (2009): Toward the Economy of Pedestrian Movement in Czech and Slovak Shopping Malls. Environment and Behavior, 41, č. 3, s. 443–455.

FIALOVÁ, D., VÁGNER, J. (2009): Sociogeografické aspekty druhého bydlení a jejich regionální diferenciace (na příkladu Česka). Geografický časopis, 61, č. 2, s. 107–128.

FIALOVÁ, D. (2009): Hledisko času při výzkumu rekreačního prostoru. Acta Geographica Universitatis Comenianae, 53, s. 105–112.

NOŽIČKOVÁ, V., FIALOVÁ, D., KADLECOVÁ, V., VÁGNER, J. (2008): Recreational areas – a new element in the countryside. In: Majerová, V. (ed.): Sborník příspěvků z mezinárodní vědecké konference Venkov je náš svět, Countryside – Our World. Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, Provozně ekonomická fakulta, Praha, s. 456–467.

SPILKOVÁ, J. (2008): Changing face of the Czech retailing in post-communist transformation: risks of extreme polarisation under globalisation pressures. In: Dostál, P. (ed.): Evolution of Geographical Systems and Risk Processes in the Global Context. Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Přírodovědecká fakulta, P3K, Praha, s. 157–171.

VÁGNER, J. (2007): Tourism Development in the Visegrad Four Countries in the Period of the EU Access. Acta Universitatis Carolinae – Geographica, č. 1–2, s. 75–89.