Hungarian Geographical Bulletin

Characteristics and observed seasonal changes in Cold Air Outbreaks in Hungary using station data (1901–2020)

Márk Zoltán Mikes — 2024-06-29

In this paper, we investigated Cold Air Outbreaks (CAOs) in Hungary using temperature data from ten weather stations located near populous Hungarian cities. Our main motivation for performing this research was the fact that in this rapidly changing climate, these events continue to represent a threat to infrastructure and human life, such as the outbreaks experienced in early 2021 (e.g., Texas, USA) and late 2022 (Winter Storm Elliott). In addition, no comprehensive study of CAOs in Hungary has been conducted using station data. The definition of CAO used in this paper is that the daily mean temperature had to be in the lower 10th percentile of the daily climatology for five consecutive days, and we allowed a maximum two-day gap between periods matching the criteria above, after which we merged events together. We found that the number of CAOs in Hungary decreased considerably in recent decades (due to increasing mean temperatures), and the climates of the investigated stations became increasingly homogenous. Developing our understanding of CAOs around the world is important because, due to climate change, their seasonal distribution may change in a way that negatively impacts our life and economy.

Effects of recreational and residential functional land use on urban soils

Oleg Gordienko — 2024-06-29

Soils in residential areas of cities are heavily degraded, and the environmentally protective and formative functions are instead realized by the soils in recreational areas (city parks, etc.). The study aimed to analyse the influence of functional land use and the level of anthropogenic impact on the properties of anthropogenic horizons (Au and Aτ) in the city of Volgograd, Russia. In this study, we analysed 50 soil samples from the city’s recreational and residential functional areas under field and laboratory conditions. The study evaluated the morphological aspects (thickness, colour, structure, and presence of artefacts), physical properties (bulk density, texture), and chemical properties (pH_water, salt content, CaCO₃, C_org, SOC_stoc)of the soils. The anthropogenic Au horizons in residential areas exhibited a clumpy structure, numerous artefacts, and significant compaction. Conversely, the soils in recreational zones contained fewer anthropogenic artefacts, with the Aτ horizons characterized by a lumpy structure. The anthropogenic horizons’ median and mean property values in the functional zones showed significant differences. The acid-alkaline properties of the studied horizons were weakly alkaline in recreational areas and alkaline in residential areas. A common feature of all anthropogenic horizons was the variability in chemical, physical, and morphological properties depending on the functional zone and level of anthropogenic load. The indicators of a specific level of anthropogenic impact on urban landscapes included horizon thickness, C_org content, colour, and structure.

Assessment of the landscape identity through participation in the framework of a landscape character research

Péter Csorba — 2024-06-29

The physical and emotional character of the landscape is an increasingly important ecosystem service factor in Hungary, too, and the strong identity of residents with the landscape is part of their well-being. Between 2016 and 2022, we prepared the landscape character map of the entire country. One of the essential elements of the project was that in four study areas – Sopron–Lake Fertő region (containing Sopron Mountains and Basin together with Lake Fertő), Gerecse Mountains, Tápió-vidék region and Tiszazug region – as landscape units, we tried to reveal the feelings of the residents related to the landscape using different methods. One of the most effective tools was surveys organised in workshops (personal or online) when we inquired about how the residents see landscape patterns, land use, and the changes in the surroundings of their settlements. One of the most important lessons learned from the study areas was that the local citizens usually have an indisposition for large-scale alterations of the accustomed environment, which leads to less familiar feelings and weakens the near natural character of the landscape. The results were compared with international experience.

Suburban neighbourhoods versus panel housing estates – An ecological footprint-based assessment of different residential areas in Budapest, seeking for improvement opportunities

Tamás Egedy — 2024-06-29

In this study, the household consumption-related ecological footprint of lifestyles linked to panel housing estates and suburban neighbourhoods were compared in the case of Budapest and its suburbs. Our results show that the biggest parts of the ecological footprint are in both study areas the carbon, the cropland and the forest components, in line with earlier calculations. On the whole, the ecological footprint values are bigger in the suburban study area (2.63 gha/capita) compared to the panel housing estates (2.29 gha/capita), mainly because of the differences between the carbon uptake and the built-up land components. Beyond comparing the ecological footprint values of different residential areas, the study also contributes to the literature by addressing the improvement options of the respective areas through a rough model calculation on the reduction opportunities in both cases, resulting 36 percent in case of panel housing estates, and 47 percent in the suburban areas. Although these values have to be considered cautiously, they show significant opportunities in ecological footprint reduction in both types of residential areas supported by individual motivations, as well as by policy measures.

Socio-economic characterization of Portuguese kiwi growers: Facing current social and sustainability challenges

Fátima Alves — 2024-06-29

This paper reports a socio-economic characterization of the Portuguese kiwifruit sector. A survey was applied between 2019 and 2020 to a sample of 94 kiwifruit farmers (males 76%, females 24%). 72 percent of the participants declare that kiwi cultivation is a complementary occupation characterized by an intergenerational pattern (25.6%). Almost 70 percent of the orchards are under 5 ha, and 26.8 percent declare that their company does not have a positive turnover. The labour force is mainly seasonal. Regarding the challenges, 21.1 percent struggle with disease control in their orchards and 19.0 percent have difficulty in finding workers. The findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the socio-economic dynamics underpinning kiwifruit cultivation in Portugal, offering insights for policy interventions and sectoral development strategies.

Maloutas, T. and Karadimitriou, N. (eds.): Vertical Cities. Micro-segregation, Social Mix and Urban Housing Markets

Barbara Jaczewska — 2024-06-29

Musterd, S.: Advanced Introduction to Urban Segregation

Ramóna Vámos — 2024-06-29