Address: Assoc. Prof. Pavel Chromý
Dept. of Social Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Science
Charles University in Prague
Albertov 6
128 43 Prague 2 CZECHIA
The article addresses denominations of specific regions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), in Czechia, ... more The article addresses denominations of specific regions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), in Czechia, and contributes to the academic debate regarding: relationships between formation of regions, their symbolic shape and regional identity; formation of regions by means of regional development. A set of 179 LAG names registered in the database of the National Network of Local Action Groups in the Czech Republic as of March 2014 are examined. LAG names are first analyzed in terms of the phenomena that constitute their essence, and subsequently their territorial differentiation is discussed. The analysis affirms the importance of territorial approach towards regional denomination. It has equally been affirmed that region naming strategies are spatially fragmented. Nevertheless, the territorial differentiation of names of LAG regions mirrors the elementary spatial patterns traditionally reproduced in the Czech context, namely west-east gradient of development level, distinctions between historical lands and differences between inland and borderland resettled after WWII.
Geografie. Sborník České geografické společnosti, 2023
The article examines the effects of the social networks of a range of actors on the local develop... more The article examines the effects of the social networks of a range of actors on the local development of municipalities located in Czech peripheral border regions. Its main goals are to shed light on and understand the role of social interactions in the development activities of individual municipalities in border-region peripheries and reveal the spatial differentiation of these municipalities. The borderland Cheb district (western Bohemia) is affected by the shrinkage process, and the concept of institutional thickness is used as the explanatory framework. One of the key conclusions is that the more disadvantages there are, the more important institutional thickness is as a development factor. The research data are drawn from 24 semi-structured interviews with the mayors of municipalities that within the system of state administration are municipalities without extended powers. The research also confirmed the diversity of individuals holding the position of mayor and the differences in the specific role mayors play in local development, as well as how important it is for municipalities to be active in microregional associations. It also showed that the internal differentiation of development opportunities and the formation of formal and informal ties are also determined by the quality of horizontal and vertical cooperation.
The article makes a survey of aspects for evaluation of a periphery in geographic sciences. The d... more The article makes a survey of aspects for evaluation of a periphery in geographic sciences. The definition of the terms "periphery" and "marginality" is discussed. An attention is paid to evaluation aspects and types of polarities defining peripheries. A periphery is understood as a consequence of an asymmetry in organization of a territory, a society, etc. The article takes into account the development of the relation core/centre - periphery and, in their delimitation, differentiates the objective and the subjective viewpoints. Determining factors and actors' behaviour in the framework of the development of peripheries, or their individual types, are observed.
The paper aims to analyze the “soft” factors of local development and to understand the nature of... more The paper aims to analyze the “soft” factors of local development and to understand the nature of the socio-economic differences between municipalities in an inner periphery in Bohemia. The partial goals are to explain which internal conditions are conductive to the formation of these ties of cooperation, to reveal which power structures are involved in the ties of cooperation, and to assess the direction of these interactions. The conclusions are formulated and discussed in relation to the concept of institutional thickness. Our research confirmed the key differentiating role of mayors in local interactions and the importance of administrative boundaries – especially boundaries of self-government regions. These boundaries had the effect of constraining the formation of formal and informal relations between actors in territorial development. The research also provides evidence of the continued existence of links between municipalities that were formed during the communist period. Th...
Učebnice je určena především studentům a všem zájemcům i odborníkům z řad sociálních geografů, so... more Učebnice je určena především studentům a všem zájemcům i odborníkům z řad sociálních geografů, sociologů a regionalistů. Podává přehled o sociokulturním, kulturně-historickém a přírodním rozvojovém potenciálu České republiky a o jeho využitelnosti do budoucna. Značná pozornost je věnována jak územnímu rozložení sociálních a kulturně-geografických jevů, tak i územnímu rozložení kulturního dědictví a jeho využívání. Pragmatickou součástí publikace je prezentace výzkumů pohraničních, periferních a venkovských regionů.
The article addresses denominations of specific regions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), in Czechia, ... more The article addresses denominations of specific regions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), in Czechia, and contributes to the academic debate regarding: relationships between formation of regions, their symbolic shape and regional identity; formation of regions by means of regional development. A set of 179 LAG names registered in the database of the National Network of Local Action Groups in the Czech Republic as of March 2014 are examined. LAG names are first analyzed in terms of the phenomena that constitute their essence, and subsequently their territorial differentiation is discussed. The analysis affirms the importance of territorial approach towards regional denomination. It has equally been affirmed that region naming strategies are spatially fragmented. Nevertheless, the territorial differentiation of names of LAG regions mirrors the elementary spatial patterns traditionally reproduced in the Czech context, namely west-east gradient of development level, distinctions between historical lands and differences between inland and borderland resettled after WWII.
Geografie. Sborník České geografické společnosti, 2023
The article examines the effects of the social networks of a range of actors on the local develop... more The article examines the effects of the social networks of a range of actors on the local development of municipalities located in Czech peripheral border regions. Its main goals are to shed light on and understand the role of social interactions in the development activities of individual municipalities in border-region peripheries and reveal the spatial differentiation of these municipalities. The borderland Cheb district (western Bohemia) is affected by the shrinkage process, and the concept of institutional thickness is used as the explanatory framework. One of the key conclusions is that the more disadvantages there are, the more important institutional thickness is as a development factor. The research data are drawn from 24 semi-structured interviews with the mayors of municipalities that within the system of state administration are municipalities without extended powers. The research also confirmed the diversity of individuals holding the position of mayor and the differences in the specific role mayors play in local development, as well as how important it is for municipalities to be active in microregional associations. It also showed that the internal differentiation of development opportunities and the formation of formal and informal ties are also determined by the quality of horizontal and vertical cooperation.
The article makes a survey of aspects for evaluation of a periphery in geographic sciences. The d... more The article makes a survey of aspects for evaluation of a periphery in geographic sciences. The definition of the terms "periphery" and "marginality" is discussed. An attention is paid to evaluation aspects and types of polarities defining peripheries. A periphery is understood as a consequence of an asymmetry in organization of a territory, a society, etc. The article takes into account the development of the relation core/centre - periphery and, in their delimitation, differentiates the objective and the subjective viewpoints. Determining factors and actors' behaviour in the framework of the development of peripheries, or their individual types, are observed.
The paper aims to analyze the “soft” factors of local development and to understand the nature of... more The paper aims to analyze the “soft” factors of local development and to understand the nature of the socio-economic differences between municipalities in an inner periphery in Bohemia. The partial goals are to explain which internal conditions are conductive to the formation of these ties of cooperation, to reveal which power structures are involved in the ties of cooperation, and to assess the direction of these interactions. The conclusions are formulated and discussed in relation to the concept of institutional thickness. Our research confirmed the key differentiating role of mayors in local interactions and the importance of administrative boundaries – especially boundaries of self-government regions. These boundaries had the effect of constraining the formation of formal and informal relations between actors in territorial development. The research also provides evidence of the continued existence of links between municipalities that were formed during the communist period. Th...
Učebnice je určena především studentům a všem zájemcům i odborníkům z řad sociálních geografů, so... more Učebnice je určena především studentům a všem zájemcům i odborníkům z řad sociálních geografů, sociologů a regionalistů. Podává přehled o sociokulturním, kulturně-historickém a přírodním rozvojovém potenciálu České republiky a o jeho využitelnosti do budoucna. Značná pozornost je věnována jak územnímu rozložení sociálních a kulturně-geografických jevů, tak i územnímu rozložení kulturního dědictví a jeho využívání. Pragmatickou součástí publikace je prezentace výzkumů pohraničních, periferních a venkovských regionů.
This paper analyses the historical cultural landscapes in Czechia and their preservation and regi... more This paper analyses the historical cultural landscapes in Czechia and their preservation and regional distribution. The regional distribution of existing and proposed landscape conservation zones and natural parks is analysed by division into peripheral, core and neutral zones. The most protected historical cultural landscapes are in the neutral area where land use/land cover changes in past decades were less intensive. In contrast, core area landscapes are affected by intensification and those in peripheral areas are influenced by extensification. While correlations were identified between the spatial distribution of protected landscape distribution and areas with predominantly German speaking inhabitants prior to 1945, more protected historical cultural landscapes are located in the core area where long-term Czech-speaking inhabitants prevailed. Finally, although the proportions of existing landscape conservation zones are almost equal, proposed landscape conservation zones prevail in the core area.
JELEN, J., CHROMÝ, P. (2018): Krušnohoří jako součást světového dědictví UNESCO? [Ore Mountains a... more JELEN, J., CHROMÝ, P. (2018): Krušnohoří jako součást světového dědictví UNESCO? [Ore Mountains as a part of UNESCO World Heritage?] Geografické rozhledy 27(5), 30–33. The most significant area of mining heritage in Czechia are the Ore Mountains. In the local mining landscape, it is possible to find traces of medieval silver mining or remains after mining from the 20th century. The whole complex is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage List due to large number of conserved monuments or still preserved mining traditions.
KAŠKOVÁ, M., KUČERA, Z., CHROMÝ, P. (2016): Místo a značka: place branding a problémy jeho koncep... more KAŠKOVÁ, M., KUČERA, Z., CHROMÝ, P. (2016): Místo a značka: place branding a problémy jeho konceptualizace [Place and brand: place branding and problems of its conceptualisation]. Informace ČGS, 35, 2, 1–16. ISSN 1213-1075 – Place and brand: place branding and problems of its conceptualisation – Along with goods and services, marketing practices are being increasingly applied also to places. By means of one of these techniques (place branding), places are made visible, their images are improved and identities enhanced in order to attract tourists, investors and inhabitants. However, the newly emerging discipline of place branding faces a number of problems, largely related to the nature of a place. After briefly introducing and discussing the concept of place branding, the paper, based on a literature review, focuses on discussing these problems and their potential solution.
DOI: 10.1080/00291951.2014.961540
The article contributes to the ‘new’ European regionalism by... more DOI: 10.1080/00291951.2014.961540
The article contributes to the ‘new’ European regionalism by discussing the role that regional identity can play in regional development. It is based on the concept of ‘regional identity’ as the keystone of the institutionalization of the region and as consisting of two intertwined and complementary components: the regional consciousness of the inhabitants and the identity of a region. Through the heuristic study of relevant scholarly articles, the authors critically discuss six case studies from European countries dealing with the relationship between regional identity and regional development and published in the first decade of the new millennium. To date, research has examined the role of regional identity as both a successful and unsuccessful driver in regional development. From the case studies, a third possible role of regional identity is identified: regional identity as a barrier to regional development. Further, the article discusses the relationship between these three roles and attempts to identify factors causing the differentiation of the effects of regional identity in the context of regional development.
Since 1980s, we can observe a changing paradigm within the approaches towards regions which under... more Since 1980s, we can observe a changing paradigm within the approaches towards regions which understand and deconstruct the “region” as a social process. Instead of understanding the region as an object or a category, this change transforms the region into a subject of interest for scholars. The study of regions is from now on considered a research topic which requires a holistic understanding of geography, broad interdisciplinary approaches as well as local and historical sensitivity. The paper is using a conceptual understanding of a region based on the combination of territorial, symbolic and institutional configurations. Regional identity that permeates through all of these layers is viewed as one of the most important elements of the very existence of the region and its recognition in the regional system. This paper contributes to the discussion on the importance of regional identity in regional development. The case study of the Bohemian Paradise region proves the significant influence of landscape features on the process of regional identity reproduction.
The article addresses the denominations of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Czechia, contributing to... more The article addresses the denominations of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Czechia, contributing to the academic debate about the relationship between the formation of regions and regional identity, and about the forming of regions by means of regional marketing. On the basis of an analysis of appellations of 179 newly emerging regions the paper examine the substance of the symbolic shape of regions. It affirms the importance of territorial approach towards regional appellations and identify four different strategies of the approach held by regional actors to the process of identity formation and institutionalization of regions. It has equally been affirmed that region naming strategies are spatially fragmented. Nevertheless, the territorial differentiation of LAG regions mirrors the elementary spatial patterns traditionally reproduced in the Czech context, namely the west-east gradient of development Ievel, the distinction between historical lands and the difference between areas with continuous development and areas recolonized after WWII.
Always in flux, landscapes are never stabile. Mobilities of various objects and subjects are eith... more Always in flux, landscapes are never stabile. Mobilities of various objects and subjects are either inherent part or directly and indirectly contribute to these continual transformations. During the 20th century Czech landscapes have witnessed several transformations induced by political, cultural, economic and societal development. Thus the aim of the paper is to explore and discuss how changes in the mobilities of objects and subjects have been connected to and influenced transformations of landscapes, its character and functions, and regional identities in Czechia in the mentioned period. Attention will be given to the movements of tangible objects, major population flows as well as to the travelling landscape-objects, i.e. movable landscape representations that contribute to the formation of particular popular landscape and regional images on several scales (from local, over regional to national). The presentation will be based on the utilization of research outcomes of several projects that were conducted recently at The Research Centre for Cultural and Historical Geography, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague.
This year is 25th anniversary of so called “Velvet revolution”, the event when the political disc... more This year is 25th anniversary of so called “Velvet revolution”, the event when the political discourse in Czechia has changed and settled the republic on the thorny way back to Europe. The entering of EU ten years ago, can be seen as very important milestone on this journey. The process of democratization as well as the process of entering the EU has a very strong influence on Czechia including the regional structure. Among other things, new regional initiatives Local Action Groups (LAG) have emerged in relation with these processes. Using their example, the poster is contributing to the discussion about relation between region and regional identity formation on the one hand and on the other hand to the discussion about region formation through the process of regional marketing and branding. The poster is exploring the basis of the symbolic shape of region using the analysis of 179 names of LAG active in Czechia in March 2014. We have proved the territorial approach to the process of the naming of regions and we have distinguished four different strategies of regional actors to the process of regional identity formation and institutionalization of new regional forms. We have also proved the spatial fragmentation of LAGs and their names in Czechia. Nevertheless, we are able to identify several spatial frameworks traditionally reproduced in Czech environment: west-east gradient of development; difference between historical lands and difference between areas with continual development and those affected by recolonization after WWII.
Support for regional production along with its certification and labelling can be understood more... more Support for regional production along with its certification and labelling can be understood more broadly as regional development initiatives. Accordingly, the declared objectives of many certification schemes include environmental, economic, social, and cultural aspects. However, to bring benefits for the region, a certification scheme must be used efficiently. Key actor interviews combined with an assessment of the activities of thirty Czech certification schemes, all members of the Association of Regional Brands, helped us identify positive and negative factors affecting the initiatives’ success and potential for enhancing regional development. In line with current institutional approaches to regional development, the engagement and creativity of actors as well as creating networks, which help them overcome various constraints, were found to be essential.
Awareness about food as well as other products’ quality and origin has grown significantly over t... more Awareness about food as well as other products’ quality and origin has grown significantly over the last two decades accompanied by a rising popularity of initiatives promoting alternative ways of product distribution. Although these trends have developed in Central-Eastern Europe including Czechia over a shorter period then in the western countries, we can find similar forms of these initiatives, reaching from farmers’ markets to urban gardening and indeed, origin certification and regional product labels. However, regional product labelling schemes offer a much more other perspectives beyond being “just” one of the alternatives. Their key element is a strong relation between product and place. This points to the issues of regional identity formation and – more broad – the construction of regions and places. A detailed study of Czech labelling schemes operating at different scales explores the role of regional products and their labels as both a means of and indicator of the region formation process. A closer look at selected schemes’ geneses and profiles of key agents initiating and maintaining these schemes allows us to unravel the significance and meanings attached to regional production and origin labels by various stakeholders driven by different objectives and motivations. Using in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and analysing both texts and images produced by them helps us to trace the ways regional product labelling schemes contribute to – or are used for – constructing regions and regional identities.
regional products – origin certification labels – regional identities – construction of region and place
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The article contributes to the ‘new’ European regionalism by discussing the role that regional identity can play in regional development. It is based on the concept of ‘regional identity’ as the keystone of the institutionalization of the region and as consisting of two intertwined and complementary components: the regional consciousness of the inhabitants and the identity of a region. Through the heuristic study of relevant scholarly articles, the authors critically discuss six case studies from European countries dealing with the relationship between regional identity and regional development and published in the first decade of the new millennium. To date, research has examined the role of regional identity as both a successful and unsuccessful driver in regional development. From the case studies, a third possible role of regional identity is identified: regional identity as a barrier to regional development. Further, the article discusses the relationship between these three roles and attempts to identify factors causing the differentiation of the effects of regional identity in the context of regional development.
regional products – origin certification labels – regional identities – construction of region and place