The role of a national park in classifying mountain tourism destinations: An exploratory study of the Italian Western Alps

Together with the main aim of preserving nature, national parks are also expected to play an important role for the local communities, driving economic activities toward the lens of sustainable development. This contribution aims to present an exploratory study on the relationship between the presence of a protected mountain area, the Gran Paradiso National Park(GPNP), in the North West of the Italian Alps, and the classification of tourism destinations, according to Weaver model of destination management. Starting from the model,the authors provide a quantitative analysis using a set of variables and indicators to comprehensively assess the differing patterns assumed by the municipalities within the borders of the GPNP and those that are not.The provisional results illustrate that the municipalities within the border of a protected area are more likely to be grouped alongside the sustainable mountain destinations. Meanwhile,research outcomes confirm that a protected area does not necessarily contrast the tourism industry but instead may boost local development by driving it within the borders of the sustainable development,switching from the area's only preservation function to a flywheel for the local communities.     

Coupling mechanism of rural settlements and mountain disasters in the upper reaches of Min River

Human settlements are the place where human beings live,among which the rural settlements can be regarded as a reflection of human-land relationship in mountain areas because their vertical distribution is greatly influenced by the specific geographical environment and ecological conditions of mountains.Based on field investigation,this paper uses physical,geographical,and ecological theories to make a comprehensive study of rural settlements and mountain disasters in the upper Min River,which is an ecologically fragile area with high-frequency disasters（collapse,landslide,debris flow,etc.） and a minority inhabit district.By applying these modern scientific theories,this paper attempts to shed some light on the relationship between rural settlements and mountain disasters.Consequently,an in-depth understanding of this relationship was achieved as follows：（1） Rural settlements and mountain disasters are mainly distributed in the intercepted flows of water and soil; and both quantity and quality of arable lands in mountains are important indicators of these flows.（2） The Small Watershed Management Project is a complex system of rural settlements and mountain disasters that interacts with and constrains the ecological system.By this project,the human survival will be better guaranteed.Being fundamental for the ecological reconstruction,the coupling mechanism of rural settlements and mountain disasters is not only an engine to promote harmonious development between human and nature,but also a bridge to link them.     

The energy identity of mountainous areas: the example of Greece

Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountain societies, efficient and well-targeted energy strategies should be formed. An important step towards this direction is adequate understanding of local conditions and specific features that affect energy sector. This procedure allows the inclusion of "locality" in energy planning and so, decentralized energy production is facilitated. The present study attempts to determine the particular energy identity of mountainous areas. Greece, which is the second most mountainous country in the EU, has been selected as a case study. Essential features of the mountainous space have been selected, namely altitude, inclination, remoteness, lack of productive activities, old buildings/vernacular architecture, in order to explore their interrelation with the energy sector. Based on literature review and research findings the interaction between mountainous character and energy is outlined. Therefore, a framework of the characteristics of mountain energy identity is composed, which can provide support to the formation of specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Some of the main findings of the present study include the significantly increased energy loads of mountainous areas, the abundance of renewable energy potential in high – altitude areas, the vulnerability of mountain societies to energy poverty and the difficulties in sitting energy projects in the restricted usable space of mountains. Since the literature regarding mountains and energy is rather poor the present paper aspires to be a step towards highlighting the importance of energy issues for mountain areas and societies. By determining the features of mountain energy identity energy planning in high – altitude areas and so, helping make energy planning more effective, such research works can be parts of sustainable development strategies for mountainous areas.     

Spatial pattern and regional types of rural settlements in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China

This paper principally focuses on the morphological differences,spatial pattern and regional types of rural settlements in Xuzhou City of Jiangsu Province in China.Using satellite images of Xuzhou City taken in 2007 and 2008 and models of exploratory spatial data analysis(ESDA) and spatial metrics,the paper conducts a quantitative analysis of the morphological pattern of rural settlements,and finds significant characteristics.First,rural settlements in Xuzhou City are significantly agglomerated in terms of their spatial distribution;meanwhile,there is significant variation in the geographical density distribution.Second,the scale of rural settlements in Xuzhou City is larger than the average in Jiangsu Province,and the histogram of the scale data is more even and more like a gamma distribution.There are a significant high-value cluster in the scale distribution,and local negative correlation between the scale and density distribution of rural settlements in Xuzhou City.Third,the morphology of rural settlements in Xuzhou City shows relative regularity with good connection and integrity,but the spatial variation of the morphology is anisotropic.Finally,according to the characteristics of density,scale,and form of rural settlements,the rural settlements of Xuzhou City are divided into three types:A high-density and point-scattered type,a low-density and cluster-like type and a mass-like and sparse type.The research findings could be used as the scientific foundation for rural planning and community rebuilding,particularly in less-developed areas.     

URBAN PLANNING： A TOOL FOR URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN SUDAN

In the past few dacades, urbanization and urban growth have been increasing rapidly in many of the developing countries. It is expected that over 50% of the world population will live in cities in 2005. The growing trend indicates that as many as one fifth of all households still remain with housing tenure problems, which they try to solve through very expensive rentals, insecurity, socially and environmentally-hazardous squatting or unhealthy overcrowding, sometimes ending up with none at all. And hence, proper planning is necessary in urban development policies to improve human settlement managements in a sustainable way. This article has tried to handle urban poverty in the Sudan to a reasonable level of detail. It dealt with selected areas with regard to promotion of sustainable human settlement. The study managed to identity some recent progress in Sudanese human settlements, that is, however, still accompanied by numerous serious instances of decline in the urban environment, especially that of the greater Khartoum.Such instances of environmental deterioration are profiled and analyzed by the study with respect to all human settlement aspects of management, land-use, infrastructure, energy and transport. The paper‘s conclusion emphasized that improving all these aspects is of high priority.     

Sustainable tourism development in mountain areas in ?umadija and Western Serbia

Sustainable tourism, as an integral part of sustainable development, emerged as a logical outcome of preventing the uncontrolled and excessive use of tourism resources and attractions. This study analyzes whether mountain tourism development in Serbia can be sustainable and feasible in the long term. Given the heterogeneity of mountains in Serbia in terms of tourism development, the subject of this research is the achieved level of sustainable tourism development in mountains in the most developed and most visited region in Serbia-?umadija and Western Serbia: Zlatibor, Kopaonik, Tara, Zlatar, Mokra Gora and Go?. The sustainable tourism development level was analyzed by using five groups of the EU's comparative indicators: economic, social, cultural, environmental and tourist satisfaction indicators. The results showed that the development of tourism in the examined mountains is not fully aligned with sustainable development. The tourist satisfaction indicator has the most acceptable values, which is a good basis for further harmonization of tourism development on the principles of sustainability. Economic indicators, especially the ratio of overnight stays and accommodation capacities, show the most unacceptable values, which indicate the need for implementing changes in the process of tourism development in the coming period. The analysis of sustainable tourism in mountain areas in ?umadija and the Western Serbia undoubtfully points out that it is necessary to significantly change the current tourism product portfolio, which implies harmonizing mountain tourism development with global trends. Certainly, a comparative analysis that looks at the degree of sustainability of mountain tourism in some countries of the Alpine region, such as Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, contributes to this. The more intensive development of tourism throughout the year would significantly improve indicators of sustainable tourism in all analyzed mountain areas of ?umadija and Western Serbia. This would improve the value of economic indicators, which are marked as the most unsustainable. The development of tourism in the summer season, especially recreational and adventure tourism, would improve the social and cultural component of sustainable tourism. Environmental dimension of sustainable tourism would be enhanced by the development of ecotourism. By connecting spatially close mountains(Zlatibor, Zlatar, Tara and Mokra Gora) into a unique and integrated tourism destination, synergistic effects would be achieved resulting in international recognition and making the region of ?umadija and Western Serbia competitive on the European market.     

传统聚落景观基因的地理信息特征及其理解

传统聚落是民族传统文化遗产的重要组成部分,对社会经济和文化建设具有重要的价值。针对现有研究缺乏探讨传统聚落景观基因（简称景观基因）蕴藏的地理信息特征及理解方法,论文从以下方面开展了深入分析：① 地理信息包含了语义描述、几何形态、属性特征、维度、时空框架、尺度、要素相互关系（空间关联）、演化过程（存在状态）等属性;② 景观基因是一种特殊的文化因子,蕴含着丰富的哲理,是认识传统聚落特征的分析方法,也是文化符号的集合;③ 景观基因包含了空间定位、载体特征、历史与文化特征等丰富的地理信息。根据前述分析结果,论文从符号化、数据挖掘、谱系分析与空间格局制图等途径系统地探讨了景观基因地理信息特征的理解方法。论文认为：在地理时空大数据与地理服务日益深化发展的背景下,结合GIS原理探讨景观基因的地理信息特征对于延伸地理信息科学的内涵,深化传统聚落的地学认识,促进人文GIS的发展具有积极的意义,今后应该继续加强相关方法探索。     

移动环境中居民地综合算法的应用

手持设备自身的限制及无线网络环境的特点,要求地图在许多方面进行改革以适应新的技术条件。制图综合作为地图生产与制作的重要环节,是当前移动环境下地图应用必须面临的问题。本文以居民地综合算法为例,探讨了部分算法在移动环境中的执行效率,并进行了可用性验证。尝试将移动环境中用户位置以及用户的当前任务等上下文信息用于综合算法中,设计以用户位置及当前任务为中心的实时制图综合算法,最后以案例证明了算法的可用性。     

Optimization of Rural Settlement Distributions Based On the Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study of Da'an City in Jilin Province of China

Following the trends of Chinese rural transformation development, and the sustainable development goals for resources and environment, reasonable arranging the potential development space and the ecological space, so as to optimize the distributions of rural settlement would be the key challenge for rural areas in ecologically fragile regions. From the perspective of maintaining regional ecological security, this paper takes Da'an City, a typical ecological fragile region in Jilin Province, as the case area, constructing the comprehensive ecological security pattern(ESP) on basis of landscape ecology, and applying the landscape pattern indexes to quantitative analysis the spatial distribution characteristics of rural settlements. Then, different optimization directions and management strategies are put forward for rural settlements in each secure zone under the comprehensive ESP. The experimental results showed that 1) the area of the low security zone, the general security zone, the moderate security zone and the extreme security zone was 1570.18 km~2, 1463.36 km~2, 1215.80 km~2 and 629.77 km~2, representing 32.18%, 29.99%, 24.92% and 12.91% of the total area of the target area, respectively. 2) The rural settlements in Da'an City were characterized by a high degree of fragmentation with a large number of small-scale patches. 3) The area of rural settlements in the ecological relocation zone, the in situ remediation zone, the limited development zone and the key development zone was 22.80 km~2, 42.31 km~2, 36.28 km~2 and 19.40 km~2, accounting for 18.88%, 35.03%, 30.04% and 16.06% of the total area of rural settlements, respectively. Then, different measures were proposed for settlements in different optimization zones in order to scientifically plan important ecological space, production space and living space in rural areas. This paper aims to provide fundamental support for rural settlements based on redistribution from the perspective of landscape ecology and provide insights for rural planning and rural habitat environmental improvement.     

Relationship between settlements and topographical factors: An example from Sichuan Province,China

Terrain can influence the spatial distribution of settlements. Studies on the terrain characteristics of settlements can help to understand the effects of the environment on human activities. This paper provides a quantitative analysis of the relationship between settlements and topographical factors. A statistically significant sample of residential locations and ASTER GDEM V2 were used to investigate terrain traits and settlements distributions. We selected eight topographical factors and introduced a practical concept, distributive entropy, into assessing the aggregation extent of the settlements' spatial distribution. The study showed that topography varies within the study area, and distributive entropy indicates that settlements have distinctive distribution tendency in statistic approach. According to the results of this study, mountain inhabitants prefer to settle in valleys. Additionally, with distributive entropy, residential suitability was divided to three levels: suitable, normal, and unsuited. The results showed that suitable area is small in Sichuan Province, accounting for 8.2%～29.9%; however, unsuited area is large, accounting for 33%～63.3%.     

中国陆地1∶100万数字地貌分类体系研究

地貌分类体系是地貌图研制的关键之一,本文在总结国内外地貌及分类研究的基础上,借鉴20世纪80年代的中国1∶100万地貌图制图规范,基于遥感影像、数字高程模型和计算机自动制图等技术条件,归纳总结了数字地貌分类过程中应遵循的几大原则,分析了它们之间的相互关系,讨论了数字地貌分类的各种指标:包括形态、成因、物质组成和年龄等,提出了中国陆地1∶100万数字地貌三等六级七层的数值分类方法,扩展了以多边形图斑反映形态成因类型,以点、线、面图斑共同反映形态结构类型的数字地貌数据组织方式,并详细划分了各成因类型的不同层次、不同级别的地貌类型。中国1∶100万数字地貌分类体系的研究,为遥感等多源数据的陆地地貌解析和制图提供了规范,也为《中华人民共和国地貌图集》的编制奠定了基础,同时为全国大、中比例尺地貌图的分类和编制研究提供了借鉴。     

Spatial pattern of rural settlements in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River

A quantitative analysis of the spatial pattern of rural settlements in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River was made with the major data sources being the relevant ETM image and the national geographical database of China (including contour line, river and road) at the scale of 1:250 000, and using image interpretation and field investigation to obtain spatial information on rural settlements. The results of the spatial analysis technique of GIS and correlation analysis showed that most settlements (78.2 %) were located in the mountain area at 1500 ∼ 2700 m altitude, and almost half in the arid valley area. More than 80.0 % of settlements had their slopes above 15°. Most settlements had good access to water resources, roads and communications, and tended to cluster close to the road network rather than the river. About half of the rural settlements in the study area were relatively concentrated, while the others were decentralized. Those with higher altitude usually had land with steep slope, inconvenient water and road accesses, and were located far apart from each other. In view of such a situation, further research should be done to make reasonable countermeasures on these settlements for better living conditions and ecosystem stability.     

Impacts of tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie,a hill station in the lower Himalayan range of India

Tourism in mountainous regions is a significant source of revenue generation. However, it has also been associated with many adverse environmental consequences. This study aims at assessing the negative impacts of the incessant upsurge in tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie, a well-known mountain tourist destination in India. The impact indicators for the region were identified and assessed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of field observations. The observations indicated the aggravation of traffic congestion, atmospheric pollution, undisposed solid waste, water scarcity and infrastructure unavailability as the prevalent issues, especially during the peak tourist months. The extent of the consequential damage to the environment was evaluated by conducting an assessment of tourism-induced human disturbance on the natural landscape of the town. Slope, slope aspect, vegetation cover, road network and drainage network were incorporated as the determining landscape attributes to prepare thematic maps of landscape quality (perceivable intrinsic properties) and landscape fragility (vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances) using GIS technique. An absorption capacity map was finally prepared to characterize the study area into regions of different conservation needs. The results identified the need for planning appropriate preservation strategies for different tourist places in the town. The study can be used by the policy makers for implementing the regulatory measures against potential disturbances due to mass-tourism.     

Gradient effect on farmers’ income in the mountain areas and its implication for poverty alleviation strategies: Empirical analysis from the upper reach of Minjiang River, China

Using four types of settlements in the upper reach of Minjiang River as case,we establish structural models in farmers’ income of different settlement patterns based on rural household panel data to reveal the gradient effect on farmers’ income and determinants.The results indicate that:(1) except the resettlement area,the incomes for farmers living in river valley,semi-mountain,and high-mountain settlements present a decreasing trend with the elevation increasing;on the contrary,their nonfarm earnings show an increasing trend with the elevation decreasing;(2) from the effect on farmers’ income,there is a common feature that the nonfarm earnings and farming incomes have significant positive effects,and family size and productive expenditure have significant negative effects.One exception to this is the productive expenditure,which becomes insignificant in the model of resettlement area;(3) from the way of increasing farmers’ income and alleviating poverty,there are great differences for four types of settlements in mountain areas,however,the improvement of agricultural product sales,agricultural production subsidies,the expansion for nonfarm employment,and the control of the family’s size are the most effective approaches for poverty alleviation.     

The impact of topography on social factors,a case study of Montenegro

Relationships between environmental and social factors have long been studied by geographers.Nowadays,GIS-aided statistical analysis provides new tools to explore these relationships.In order to detect the impact of topography on social factors,we selected the country of Montenegro as a case example due to its high topographic variability.We compared the spatial pattern of population,settlements and ethnic minorities to physical geographic factors,especially to topography,but lithology and land cover data were also taken into consideration.We found that certain factors are closely correlated,e.g.the settlement density linearly decreases with elevation,while the characteristic settlement area shows an exponential increase upwards.The population density is not related to absolute elevation,but it is in close correlation with height（i.e.elevation relative to the local minimum）.Population change and illiteracy are also topography-related social factors.On the contrary,the variable ethnic pattern of Montenegro is influenced by historical,political and economic effects rather than by environmental factors or topographic features.As a conclusion we state that in the scale of a country or a region,the environment can strongly impact some social factors.     

Protection of architectural heritage: attitudes of local residents and visitors in Sirako,Greece

Architectural heritage comprises one of the most important elements of mountain settlements in Greece. It holds high cultural value, represents the tangible continuation of the past and forms the unique character and identity of each mountain region. Yet, controversy regarding funding for its preservation often arises. In this paper, we used two Contingent Valuation surveys to estimate the social benefit deriving from protecting the traditional architecture in the mountainous village of Sirako and, through it, to examine perceptions and attitudes of local residents and visitors. Research findings revealed a strong social will in favor of the good’s protection followed by high percentages of positive willingness to pay (WTP). However, WTP is significantly higher among residents. Cultural heritage value, of the good, appears to prevail, along with the environmental one. However, both residents and visitors pointed out that local heritage, if well-preserved, will boost tourism development. Residents appeared to better recognize the true level of architectural decay, expressed higher apprehension for its protection and were willing to pay higher amount of money. Tourists, on the other side, expressed high satisfaction for their visit, appreciated the beauty and serenity emerging from local built and natural environment and spent several days visiting the surrounding area. The longer they stayed and got familiar with the village, the more willing they were to contribute to local heritage’s protection. Percentages reflecting indifference for protecting architecture were extremely low. Yet, they were higher among tourists. Traditional architecture is considered as public good; an opinion resulting in an important percentage of visitors stating that national government should provide the necessary funding. In addition, the architecture appears to hold a high level of topicality. Those descending from Sirako or emotionally connected to it, of both social groups, turned out to be more concerned about the good and with a stronger sense of responsibility for it. Use-value of the good holds high economic value, as well, while higher percentages of zero WTP appeared among non-users. Research findings revealed social attitudes and perceptions on what constitutes architectural heritage, in its cultural and economic frame. If taken under consideration, they may form useful drivers for local, heritage-based, sustainable development.     

基于网络的可持续发展指标服务模式研究

中国可持续发展信息共享网经历了“九五”、“十五”国家计划的支持,已经集中了我国多部门、多领域的海量数据,实现了对外提供可持续发展数据信息共享服务模式;然而,系统目前只是针对用户提供数据信息服务,对于大多数非专业用户而言,一般多使用指标作为分析的数据源,难以直接使用系统中的数据进行综合分析,因此如何对数据进行有效的组织管理,实现数据库中数据到分析指标间的映射关系,是系统面临急需解决的问题;针对这一问题,提出了可持续发展数据库组织管理模式,针对可持续发展指标的特点,提出了固定指标与动态自定义指标概念,并根据两种指标的特点分别设计了相应的指标到数据的映射模式与存储方法,实现了系统由基于数据的服务转变为基于指标的服务模式,使用户能够更好地使用该系统进行可持续发展分析并提高系统数据的使用率。     

禹城市农村居民点空间分布模式和景观格局

以禹城市农村居民点为研究对象,基于禹城市2000和2017年遥感影像解译数据,综合运用GIS、景观生态学及统计学理论与方法,分析了2000年与2017年禹城市乡村聚落的景观格局指数和空间演变特征。结果表明:禹城市两个时期农村居民点在空间分布特征上存在显著差异,与2000年相比,2017年禹城市农村居民点分布更加聚集;从聚集程度来看,禹城市农村居民点聚集的态势不够显著,这与禹城市当地的自然环境有密切的关系;禹城市农村居民点总体用地规模和数量虽然在减少,但部分居民点用地规模增加明显,居民点有集聚发展的态势,同时禹城市农村居民点斑块形态由复杂化向规则化转变。     

DEM分辨率对黄土侵蚀沟形态特征表达的不确定性分析

黄土侵蚀沟的地形表达是开展黄土沟谷侵蚀研究的基础工作,利用数字高程模型(DEM)定量描述侵蚀沟特征有助于研究侵蚀沟的形态变化和发育过程。基于DEM数据计算多种指标对黄土侵蚀沟特征进行描述是目前侵蚀沟研究中最为常用的方法。但是,受到格网DEM数据结构的限制,其计算结果会存在一定的不确定性。在侵蚀沟地形表达时,对形态特征的表达会受到DEM数据分辨率的影响,进而造成表达结果的不确定性。尤其在黄土高原地区,地形特征更为破碎,地形要素更为复杂,其表达结果受DEM分辨率的影响更为明显。本文以黄土高原典型样区为例,基于点云数据建立不同分辨率的DEM数据集,通过不同地形因子对侵蚀沟特征进行表达,分析DEM分辨率在黄土侵蚀沟形态特征表达时的不确定性。结果显示,分辨率的降低对主沟支沟比和纵比降等侵蚀沟形态特征因子产生了较大影响,且指标与分辨率多呈现线性变化关系。但是,随着侵蚀沟的横向扩张,DEM分辨率对其特征表达的影响逐渐被削弱。此外,在使用固定分析窗口进行侵蚀沟特征计算时,由于分辨率的降低,格网尺寸增大,其实际分析半径随之增大,使得计算范围内地表形态变化增加,导致沟谷切割深度随着分辨率的降低反而增加。同时,侵蚀沟主沟道区域受分辨率影响较小,沟头区域指标与分辨率的关系较弱。