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Educational aspects of space perception
Novotná, Kateřina ; Hanus, Martin (advisor) ; Knecht, Petr (referee) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The purpose of this thesis is to focus on the research of space perception. Under the term space perception is understood the widest possible meaning as a process wherein an individual creates ideas about the outside world (Siwek 2011). Space imaginations contains objects with their attributes and relations between each other. In as much as each of us creates ideas about space, then it can be assumed a relatively wide interest in different scientific disciplines, which causes an unclear scientific anchoring of terminology and methodology. Therefore, this thesis first discusses the terminology and methodology regarding the research within a geographical education. Then this thesis proceeds to the definition of key terms: mental map, cognitive map and sketch map. Mental map and cognitive map in this thesis are understood as synonyms that reflects the ideas in the memory of an individual about the outside world, whereas the sketch map is one of the methods how to collect these ideas. Furthermore, this thesis defines the methods of collecting data of subjective characteristics contained in mental maps, which can be subsequently visualised through thematic mental maps. Therefore, the following part of the thesis focuses on the sketch map and thematic mental map as a tool and a subject of geographical...
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Transnationalism and integration: The case of Mongolians in Prague
Šlauerová, Veronika ; Drbohlav, Dušan (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
Mongolian migration to the Czech Republic has had a long tradition, since the beginning of a former political regime. Nowadays, there are more than six thousand Mongolian immigrants living on the Czech territory, nonetheless, we lack more valuable research done on integration of this minority. At the same time the Czech society is not very well aware of this number of foreigners of Mongolian origin and they are more often assumed to be Vietnamese or Chinese. Since the early 1990s, studies on transnationalism have explored the empirical patterns of migrants' transnational practices and observed whether they coexist with indicators of integration. The research on Mongolian integration presented in this master's thesis was carried out as a case study focusing on analysis of transnational behavior of immigrants (sending remittances, mobility and regular contact with family and friends in a country of origin). Based on the results coming out of completed interviews, this thesis tries to find whether this behavior has an impact on immigrants' process of integration. It also seeks to find other potential factors that might have a significant influence. The results of this research reveal quite high rate of transnational practices, yet it does not seem to be the only determinant of a successful or...
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Climate change impacts on population of Sri Lanka and adaptation strategies
Molnárová, Bára ; Stojanov, Robert (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The main aim of the study is to analyse households' adaptation measures to the climate change and its impacts in Sri Lanka such as extreme weather events - especially floods, landslides, heavy rains, droughts or water deficiency. Another objective of this study is to identify how locals perceive climate change impacts, what they think the specific causes are, what the implications and consequences are and what are their impacts on their households in selected regions in Sri Lanka. I also tried to identify which changes of climate they personally observe (if any) and what they think about it. The case study is based on my research, which I realized in July - September 2016 in Sri Lanka. I focused on two neighbour districts: one of them is Anuradhapura district, which is on the northwest of the island and it is in the dry climatic zone of the island. The second district is Matale, which is located in highlands and there is more humidity. I examined the perception of local residents to changes in the climate, which is, whether they realize that changes are caused by the global climate change and that the situation will deteriorate further, or whether they have another explanation. In connection with this, I also examined whether they have any plans or predictions of the future and how they adapt for...
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Representation, process, experience: (post)industrial landscape in anthropological-geographical perspective
Gibas, Petr ; Uherek, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee) ; Szaló, Csaba (referee)
Representation, process, experience: (post)industrial landscape in anthropological-geographical perspective Abstract The main topic of the dissertation is the (post)industrial landscape of what is today the Czech Republic. In particular, the dissertation presents three case studies of three (post)industrial landscapes: that of Ostrava, Kladno and Most. The aim of the dissertation is twofold - thematic as well as theoretical. As far as the thematic focus of the dissertation goes, the author employs the concept of landscape as a prism through which it is possible to explore large societal shifts and changes as they are mirrored in landscape. The question is what has happened to industrial landscape after the fall of socialism and how industrial landscape has turned into what it is now. On the theoretical level, the (post)industrial landscape of contemporary Czechia is used as a means of exploring the complexity of the concept of landscape and developing a conceptualization of landscape that comes to terms with its complexity, ambiguity and elusiveness. In terms of theory, the dissertation engages with three ways of conceptualising landscape prevalent in contemporary anthropology and (new cultural) geography: landscape as representation, process and experience. To explore them in depth and reveal any...
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The concept of regional identity in the research of socially constructed regions: a multiscale perspective
Nikischer, Richard ; Chromý, Pavel (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee) ; Daněk, Petr (referee)
It has been approximately three decades since "new" approaches to studying regions began to appear in the context of socio-cultural turn in geography. From the perspective of the so-called new regional geography, the region does not represent a naturally given spatial unit nor a semantically empty construction of the analysis of the society's spatial organization. The "new" regional geographer perceives regions as dynamic social structures linked to a collective consciousness. In this respect, the research of regions represents a study of the social organization of space. While research of the spatial (geographic) organization of society in Czech geography has a rather long tradition, a similar statement cannot be made regarding the research into the social organization of space (the other side of the relationship between space and society). Despite the fact that even in Czechia the number of academics interested in the process of the institutionalization of regions is gradually growing, i.e. about how and why regions are constructed/deconstructed as a part of social life, domestic research of the social organization of space is still only in its early stages. The present doctoral dissertation represents a relevant contribution to the current debate regarding the issues of the social organization...
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The Importance of Graphical Symbols in the Region Formation Process: the Case of the Liberec Region
Šifta, Miroslav ; Chromý, Pavel (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The Importance of Graphical Symbols in the Region Formation Process: the Case of the Liberec Region The thesis analyzes the role of symbols and graphic symbolism in the process of regional and spatial identity formation in the context of the theory of institutionalization of regions by A. Paasi. The goal of the thesis is to contribute to a scientific discussion of this topic using the example of a specific region - the Liberec Region. In the theoretical part of the thesis, general studies of spatial identities, mainly with regard to creating the symbolic shape of region, are discussed, and the importance of symbolism in forming the region, its spatial identity and power relations is assessed. This section aims to define the key concepts, terms and also types of symbols used in this study. In the research part of thesis, first, the selection of the studied area is justified (region with intensively changed landscape), and, second, its situational analysis is presented, focusing mainly on the social phenomena and elements which could play role of regional symbols. Next, the actual symbolism of the region, as presented in various sources and media, is evaluated. Subsequently, it is compared with the graphic symbols of regional and local institutions, classified and analyzed according to the form...
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Percepcion tourist destinations Špindlerův Mlýn and Rokytnice nad Jizerou by residents
Svobodová, Nikola ; Fialová, Dana (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The purpose of my thesis is the application of the concept of the socio-cultural-carrying capacity of the territory via example of giant tourist destinations Špindlerův Mlýn and Rokytnice nad Jizerou. For these two destinations basic information about locations are discussed in more detail; as a major ski resort, including equipment material and technical bases, and local infrastructure. In the theoretical part, I focus on definitions and explanations of concepts of tolerable capacity of the area, with a focus on socio-cultural carrying capacity. Furthermore, I discuss Doxey's irritant index which describes the relationship between residents and tourists. In the practical part I focus on the perception of tourism with these specific destinations residents. On the basis of results of my investigation to be carried out probable form of questionnaires and direct interviews, I assess the level of socio-cultural carrying capacity. Then conduct a comparison of the results obtained in Špindlerův Mlýn and Rokytnice nad Jizerou. The conclusion gives recomendation and a little reflection with satisfaction of the residents lifestyle in these communities and further development of these destinations from the perspective of residents.
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Cognitive maps as a tool of perception of Czechs living in North America
Pánová, Pavla ; Dzúrová, Dagmar (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The perception of American and Czech reality by long-time members of the Czech community in the USA is the purpose of this diploma thesis. The thesis will focus on the possibilities of using cognitive maps in the study of spatial preferences of two groups of migrants. The year 1989 is one of the most important milestones in Czechoslovakian and Czech history, so it was set as a determining date in this thesis as well. This year divided the respondents into two groups - the incoming migrants to the USA before 1989 (inclusive) and incoming migrants to the USA after 1989. Distribution of respondents into two groups then allowed comparison of preferences using both qualitative methods - assessment of cognitive maps, and quantitative methods - statistical testing of the hypothesis. An important part of the thesis has also become demonstrating possible ways of linking qualitative and quantitative research to achieve a deeper understanding of the issue. Key words: cognitive map, perception, preferences, migration, Czechia, USA
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Perception of Tourist Destinations; Case Study Harrachov
Polanská, Markéta ; Fialová, Dana (advisor) ; Siwek, Tadeusz (referee)
The aim of this diploma thesis is to discuss the perception of the attractive tourist area in general, with examples of the destination tourism Harrachov. How people perceive the environment around them, not long ago only important for them, but themes of perception is reflected today in destination management - tools for making "image" tourist destination. Harrachov can certainly mark a major tourist destination that seeks increasingly to assert and promote the "image" destination. The default pillars of the theoretical part, the three closely related approaches - behavioral geography, humanistic geography and geography of tourism. Behavioral geography is how you can analyze the subjective perception of the environment. Humanistic geography discussion often obscure differences between place and space, closer to the concept of place and sense of place, which is closely related to territorial identity. The theme of identity is a kind of bridge connecting the theoretical part. Keywords: identity, behavioral geography, humanistic geography, tourism, Harrachov
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