Revitalising rural spaces: Lessons learnt from brownfield regeneration in a shrinking region

In the post-socialistic space, old, industrialised regions are not only dealing with problems with the regeneration of industrial brownfields but also with the occurrence of post-agricultural brownfields. The main objective of this paper is to identify and interpret how a successful network of cooperating actors was formed that participated in the process of transforming an agricultural brownfield into a successful rural business zone. From a methodological perspective, the article is based on the findings derived from a set of written memories with ten key actors who were involved in the redevelopment process. The studied regeneration project, which was implemented thanks to the successful cooperation of network of actors both from different hierarchical levels (local, regional and central level) and from the different sectors (public, private and non-profit sector), regenerated an area of 10.4 hectares thanks to both public and private investments of approximately CZK 240 million. Regeneration contributed to the creation of approximately 450 new jobs, and thanks to this project, the population in Třanovice also increased significantly in the transition period (1991–2021), which the studied community positively distinguishes from the shrinking urban centres and rural communities in the post-industrial neighbourhoods

Emergence of Centralized (Collective) and Decentralized (Individual) Environmentally Friendly Solutions during the Regeneration of a Residential Building in a Post-Socialist City

Our paper deals with a micro-study of one residential building in the city center of Brno (Czech Republic) where we strived to identify and better understand the main factors behind the successful implementation of environmentally friendly solutions during the regeneration process. We followed the unique, complicated, and often conflictual story of the regeneration (conducted during the years 2010-2020) of the residential building, which was originally built in the 1930s. In total, 18 solutions were discussed-all four solutions on the state level of centralization were realized, only two of six solutions on the building level of centralization were materialized, and six of eight decentralized solutions were realized during the regeneration process. In the field of energy savings requiring high investments, a significant dominance of centralized solutions (on the state level) was identified. Centralized solutions on the building level such as heat pumps or solar panels were not realized. In the area of waste management and care for community greenery (that did not require large investments), we see as the most beneficial the promotion of decentralized solutions in the form of community-funded communal composting or the planting of new greenery. The formation of various regeneration options, which is discussed in detail, appeared as an integral instrument for dealing with conflicts among residents during the planning phase

Exploring spatial patterns of urban brownfields regeneration: the case of Brno, Czech Republic

Previous studies have demonstrated that the location of brownfields is an important factor affecting potential investor decisions and brownfields regeneration. In this study, the spatial patterns of urban redevelopment are explored, using an analysis of variance model for a detailed database of existing and regenerated brownfields in the city of Brno, Czech Republic. Any general pattern of regeneration – such as ‘the closer to the city centre, the better’, which would be valid for all brownfields – has not been found. Rather, regeneration seems to be a function of local development potential, local occupier-demand for specific utilities, and planning regulations. Higher rates of regeneration have been detected in densely built-up areas (inner city zones and housing estates), while lower rates are registered for areas with low population density and with a greater supply of green spaces (garden colonies, open spaces, industrial zones and villa residential districts). The factors of centrality and transport links are positively associated with retail and business development projects, but negatively associated with the projects of housing development and construction of civic amenities, for which population density and the socioeconomic structure of the local population are significant positive factors. Important implications for further research and urban planning are formulated in the conclusions

Auswirkungen aktueller demographischer Veränderungen auf die soziodemographische Binnenstruktur von Brno und Ostrava

Der Beitrag beinhaltet eine Analyse der gegenwärtigen demographischen Veränderungen in den Innenstädten der mährischen Großstädte Brno und Ostrava. Die Untersuchung kleinräumiger soziodemographischer Strukturen erfolgte auf der Ebene der so genannten Basissiedlungseinheiten. Von den Daten der beiden letzten Volks-, Gebäude- und Wohnungszählungen (1991 und 2001) wurden vor allem Daten zur Alters- und Qualifikationsstruktur der Bevölkerung sowie zur Haushaltsstruktur herangezogen. Dem Vergleich demographischer Daten mit der aktuellen physischen Struktur der beiden Städte diente die Analyse des Wohngebäudetyps (Eigenheime oder Mehrfamilienhäuser) sowie deren Baualter. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass die Innenstädte altern, während die jüngste Bevölkerung in Plattenbausiedlungen aus den 1980er Jahren und in den Zuzugsgebieten der Suburbanisierung am Stadtrand wohnt. Die günstigeren demographischen Strukturen in Ostrava – im Vergleich zu Brno – sind auf die massenhafte Zuwanderung von Industriearbeitskräften nach dem Krieg zurückzuführen. Es scheint, dass die Differenzierung der Qualifikationsstruktur (und damit gewissermaßen auch die soziale Differenzierung) nicht entlang der räumlichen Grenzen von innerer Stadt und Vorstädten verläuft. Dies erlaubt die Schlussfolgerung, dass die innere Stadt in Bezug auf die Qualifikations- und Sozialstruktur der Bevölkerung keinen monolithischen Komplex darstellt, sondern selbst stark differenziert ist.This article is an analysis of the present demographic changes in the city centres of the big Moravian cities of Brno and Ostrava. This study of sociodemographic structures in limited spaces was made on the level of what are known as basic settlement units. Data on the age and qualification structure of the population and the household structure were primarily used from the two last censuses of population, buildings and flats (1991 and 2001). Analysing the type of residential building (owner-occupied houses or multiple-family dwellings) and the age of the building were used to compare demographic data with the current physical structure of these two cities. Findings confirm that the city centres are ageing while the youngest population lives in concrete-slab settlements from the 1980’s and the influx areas on the suburbanising fringes of the city. Ostrava has better demographic structures than Brno which may be attributed to the massive immigration of industrial workers after the war. It seems that the differentiation in the qualification structure (and therefore to a certain extent the social differentiation) does not run along the spatial borders of the city centre and suburbs. Therefore, we can draw the conclusion that the inner city is not a monolithic complex in the population in terms of qualification and social structure, but is also substantially differentiated

A New Method to Perform Direct Efficiency Measurement and Power Flow Analysis in Vibration Energy Harvesters

Measuring the efficiency of piezo energy harvesters (PEHs) according to the definition constitutes a challenging task. The power consumption is often established in a simplified manner, by ignoring the mechanical losses and focusing exclusively on the mechanical power of the PEH. Generally, the input power is calculated from the PEH’s parameters. To improve the procedure, we have designed a method exploiting a measurement system that can directly establish the definition-based efficiency for different vibration amplitudes, frequencies, and resistance loads. Importantly, the parameters of the PEH need not be known. The input power is determined from the vibration source; therefore, the method is suitable for comparing different types of PEHs. The novel system exhibits a combined absolute uncertainty of less than 0.5% and allows quantifying the losses. The approach was tested with two commercially available PEHs, namely, a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) MIDE PPA-1011 and a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) TE LDTM-028K. To facilitate comparison with the proposed efficiency, we calculated and measured the quantity also by using one of the standard options (simplified efficiency). The standard concept yields higher values, especially in PVDFs. The difference arises from the device’s low stiffness, which produces high displacement that is proportional to the losses. Simultaneously, the insufficient stiffness markedly reduces the PEH’s mechanical power. This effect cannot be detected via the standard techniques. We identified the main sources of loss in the damping of the movement by the surrounding air and thermal losses. The latter source is caused by internal and interlayer friction

Conversion of post-socialist agricultural premises as a chance for renewable energy production. Photovoltaics or biogas plants?

We aim to contribute to in-depth comprehension of the factors and preferences behind the reuses of large-scale underused or abandoned former collective farms from the 1950s–1980s for biogas plants and solar photovoltaic power plants. As a case study, three regions in the southern part of the Czech Republic have been selected. Our findings signal that the residents’ attitudes towards the mentioned energy sources are rather negative. Similarly, farmers’ interest in photovoltaic power plants is low. More interest has been detected in the case of biogas production; this is especially true for large agricultural companies and farmers, who own underused or abandoned premises. Biogas plants are frequently located in agricultural areas with warmer or just slightly colder climates as a consequence of the potential to process locally grown maize. On the other hand, photovoltaic power plants are found on more fertile plains with high levels of insolation, but, surprisingly, also in mountain regions which typically have low emissions. Both renewable energy solutions were found to be problematic as there is strong opposition to both types of installations among local inhabitants. This indicates the need for “soft” forms of planning. Stakeholder engagement and inclusive participation in all phases of the planning process are essential requirements for arriving at the best possible outcomes for the new renewable energy solutions and their acceptance by the public

Best practice forever? Dynamics behind the perception of farm-fed anaerobic digestion plants in rural peripheries

Anaerobic digestion (AD) plants undoubtedly represent an integral and irreplaceable element in rural energy transition and sustainable waste management. In our study, we focus on an advanced understanding of the dynamics behind the changing perceptions of AD plants in host communities in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The surveyed AD plant case studies were selected to represent best-practice examples of AD plant operations in their countries. By means of a comparative survey in three host communities, we seek to learn more about the shift in perceptions of AD plants between their planning and operational phases. We find that, although our cases are considered best-practice examples of AD plant operations, their overall support in their communities dramatically dropped in the operational phase consequent to real-life experience with living in the neighbourhood of an AD plant. Additionally, our findings indicate that respondents who reported the most severe deterioration of AD plant perceptions were, surprisingly, those who had participated in the planning process more than other respondents. The most frequently mentioned type of participation in the planning phase was reported to be visits to the local administration office to inspect an AD plant's planning documentation. We argue that deteriorating perceptions of best-practice examples of AD plant operations negatively impact the further development and acceptance of the biogas sector in Eastern Europe. The element of acceptance by the locals of AD plant operations urgently requires reflection in the definition of best practices to inspire and upgrade both existing and planned biogas energy projects.Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness; State Research Agency of SpainSpanish Government; Regional Development Fund [CSO2017-86975-R, VEGA 1/0514/21]Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA: 1/0514/21; European Regional Development Fund, ERDF: CSO2017-86975-R; Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital, Gobierno de España, MINEC

Milieu of the small municipalities in term of their powers

The contribution is dealing with issue of the small municipalities and their powers on the territory of the Czech Republic. The geographical analysis of the issue brings theoretical and methodological introduction (including definition of the small municipalities), evaluation of the differences between regions and more detailed characteristics of the situation in three selected regions (South Moravian Region, Vysočina Region, Hradec Králové Region), where was realized the questionnaire survey with some mayors of the small municipalities in August and in September 2007

Percepce reformy územní veřejné správy na území České republiky z pohledu starostů obcí

The paper is dealing with the perception of the current territorial public administration reform in the Czech Republic by mayors. The results of the questionnaire survey from June 2006 are based on opinions from 322 Czech mayors. The questionnaire was especially focused on perception of the reform and its results among Czech mayors – whether they believe that the current territorial public administration reform has fulfilled its main objectives (especially: bringing the execution of the public administration near to the residents, decreasing the number of the officials in the sphere of the public administration) or not. The results of the survey show that the majority of mayors perceive the reform negatively – the main objectives of the reform were not fulfilled according to their opinions