Geographica Pannonica

A Qualitative Approach for Investigating Thermal Discomfort in the Outdoor Environment of a World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Hampi, India

Tanaya Paul, Srinivas Daketi , Kailasa Rao M, Faiz Ahmed Chundeli — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:34:32 +0200

The outdoor thermal environment affects visitors' thermal comfort and overall experience. This study investigates the application of photographic analysis as a qualitative tool for evaluating thermal discomfort in outdoor environments at a World Heritage Site. Thermal discomfort is a key concern in public settings as global temperatures continue to rise. At the same time, traditional approaches rely on microclimate measurements and user feedback. However, this study takes a more subjective, visual approach to capturing and interpreting how visitors experience thermal comfort or discomfort in large-scale archaeological sites. This research uses photographic data to identify and analyze the primary visual signs of thermal discomfort. Results reveal that visitors in the heritage site experience strong heat stress during the winter season. Despite the study area experiencing strong heat stress and visitors feeling hot and warm, the majority of the visitors are satisfied with the thermal conditions of the heritage site. Photographic analysis reports that the most common signs of thermal discomfort are mostly related to intense solar radiation and the absence of shade. The research findings can be used to develop strategies for reducing thermal discomfort while maintaining the cultural and historical integrity of heritage places. The research underscores the importance of visual data in comprehending the interplay between thermal comfort, environmental design, and visitor experiences in culturally significant sites.

Extreme precipitation events in Novi Sad during the period 1961-2020

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:26:01 +0200

Extreme precipitation events (EXPEs) were analyzed based on daily precipitation data from 1961 to 2020 in Novi Sad, Serbia. The temporal characteristics of the following EXPEs were investigated: Heavy precipitation days (R10mm), Very heavy precipitation days (R20mm), Highest 1-day precipitation amount (Rx1day), Highest 3-day precipitation amount (Rx3day), Highest 5-day precipitation amount (Rx5day), Very wet days (R95p), Extremely wet days (R99p), Precipitation fraction due to very wet days (R95pTot) and Precipitation fraction due to extremely wet days (R99pTot). The EXPEs were analyzed on an annual and seasonal basis and for two reference periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2020. Positive trends were found for both annual and seasonal values for all indices, except for R20mm and R99pTot in winter. A significant increase in Rx1day, Rx3day and Rx5day was observed in all seasons (except for Rx1day and Rx5day in winter) and on an annual basis. The high value of Rx1day (116.6 mm) was recorded in the summer of 2018 in Novi Sad, caused by convective precipitation that led to urban flooding. The possible influence of large-scale circulation patterns was investigated. A strong positive and negative influence of the East Atlantic pattern and the East Atlantic Western Russia pattern on the EXPEs was found. The results of this work support the growing evidence that the impact of extreme conditions is likely to become even stronger due to changes in their intensity and frequency.

Urban Stormwater Management with Rain Gardens – A Case Study of Kecskemét, Hungary

Edit Hoyk, György Csomós, Krisztián Szórát, Jenő Zsolt Farkas — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:02:27 +0200

This research explores the potential benefits of rain gardens, a form of nature-based solutions (NbS) for urban stormwater management in Kecskemét, Hungary. An experimental rain garden was established using plants with varying drought tolerances to capture rainwater from a single-family house roof. This garden was monitored for a year to assess its rainwater retention capacity and observe plant development and survival. Concurrently, we identified areas within Kecskemét prone to flash floods from heavy rainfall, demarcating promising locations for rain garden conversion. Our primary goal was to identify applicable plant species and quantify how much rainfall could be retained in rain gardens. Our results show that drought-tolerant plants (e.g. Festuca amethystina, Festuca pallens glauca) perform better in the dry conditions typical of Kecskemét. Based on our calculation, the possible rainwater retention is about 1,500 m³, with 60 planned rain gardens. These findings suggest that the widespread urban application of rain gardens, as a nature-based solution, can significantly contribute to mitigating flash floods and enhancing urban resilience to extreme weather events.

Tourism and Regenerationin World Heritage Urban Areas: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Ehsan Aslani, Jacek Kaczmarek — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:15:19 +0200

Tourism and regeneration are two interrelated factors that have a significant impact on World Heritage urban areas (WHUAs), places of outstanding cultural and historical values. However, the literature on the relationship between tourism and regeneration and their impact on these areas is still scarce and fragmented. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the existing studies on tourism and regeneration in WHUAs and to identify the main research gaps and directions for future research. In this regard, we reviewed English published articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters indexed on Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases until 2023. We analyzed the publication trends, the most influential journals and publishers, the main research topics and methods, and the most applied approaches. The results revealed that in recent years, the Historic Urban Landscape, and culture-led urban regeneration approaches, as well as concepts such as authenticity and sustainability, have received the attention of researchers in this field. However, the literature also shows some limitations, such as a lack of theoretical and review studies, quantitative approaches, and a shortage of multiple-case studies. In addition, the factors for failure, consequences, and procedural solutions extracted as the key themes of the related projects. Based on these findings, this review provides insights valuable to researchers, urban planners, and policymakers involved in the conservation and development of these culturally valuable areas in ways that balance tourism growth with heritage preservation.

Perceptions of Heat Risk Among Street Vendors, Its Associations With Knowledge and Impacts on Adaptive Measures in a Tropical Indian City

Rajashree Kotharkar , Sagar Rajopadhye — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 22:32:02 +0200

There has been a concerning rise in heatwave-related deaths in India over the past few decades, particularly affecting the informal work sector exposed to high outdoor temperatures. This study aimed to understand how outdoor workers and street vendors in the landlocked tropical city of Nagpur perceive heat risks and how this perception relates to their knowledge and adaptive measures. A cross-sectional study using face-to-face surveys was conducted, introducing a novel Heat Risk Perception (HRP) Index to quantify participants' risk perception. The findings revealed that 70% of street vendors had high HRP, with a mean index score of 0.72. Local knowledge and past heat experiences significantly influenced risk perception, despite gaps in scientific knowledge resulting from limited access to training programs. A strong positive relationship was observed between HRP and adjustments in work routines during hot weather, especially when vendors perceived health risks. This suggest that risk perception is crucial for adopting protective behaviours. Demographic factors did not significantly affect heat risk perception. Notably, 69% of vendors perceived themselves as vulnerable to heat's negative effects, and perceived vulnerability emerged as a significant predictor of high HRP. The findings highlight the importance of risk perception in mitigating heat-related risks among vulnerable populations. The study's results can inform the development of targeted interventions to protect street vendors and outdoor workers from heat-related risks.