Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

Rodokanakis, Stavros

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0002-5

Comparing the Probability of Unemployment in Southern Greece Vis-À-Vis the Entire Country The basic aim of this paper is to investigate the impact that educational level of individuals and participation in training programmes (apprenticeship, intra-firm training, continuing vocational training, popular training) have on their job prospects in Southern Greece (namely the regions of Southern Aegean and Crete) during the implementation of the first Community Support Framework (1989-1993). We also research the differences between the two regions under study and the entire country. We try to see whether the educational level itself and participation in training programmes increased the chances of finding a job. More specifically, we research what are the social and demographic characteristics that increase the chances of someone in the examined population finding a job, how those chances change (if they do) after the introduction of training courses and, also, whether University graduates, in contrast to most of the rest of the EU member states, face greater difficulties in finding a job than non-University graduates, as a series of studies for Greece conclude. To the author's knowledge, this is the first attempt to analyse individual anonymised records (micro-data) from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for both employed and unemployed in those two regions at NUTS 2 level.

Rudnicki, Roman

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0003-4

Demographic Determinants of the Activity of Farms in Poland in the Acquisition of European Union Funds in the Years 2004-2006 Out of the several assistance measures of the European Union orientated towards the development of agriculture, there are two in which demographic criteria have been set for the beneficiaries, viz. support for young farmers (applications can be submitted by farmers up to 40 years old) and structural pensions (eligible farmers are of pre-retirement age: from 55 to the start of retirement age). The number of applications processed under those measures in the years 2004-2006 (the actual absorption level) as against the total number of young farmers and those of pre-retirement age (the potential absorption level) was adopted as a basis for a spatial analysis and assessment of the use of the EU funds in those fields. Indices constructed on the basis of the number of applications per 1,000 farm operators, both young and of pre-retirement age, showed there to be wide spatial differences. It was shown that the lowest activity of farms in this respect was characteristic of those in south-eastern Poland. In turn, the measures determined by the demographic structure of farmers were the most popular in the voivodeships of Kujavia-Pomerania and Wielkopolska. Such a spatial distribution contributes to a further deepening of regional disparities in Polish agriculture.

Sutton, Michael

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0004-3

Lowest-Low Fertility in Japan: Consequences For A Once-Great Nation Japan, once a great economic superpower, is currently one of a number of countries experiencing lowest-low fertility, having a total fertility rate of less than 1.5. This demographic figure exists alongside two decades of low economic growth, undermining confidence in national integrity and longevity. The association of low growth and lowest-low fertility has provoked a contest between two visions for national rejuvenation - one an old and increasingly discredited liberalism, and the second, a new demographic conservatism. Japan's debate is not new or unique. Questioning the methods for national replacement and the relationship between fertility and national integrity remains a crucial aspect of nationalism in a globalized world. In the Japanese context, the contest is between two visions for the nation - on the one hand, a cautious nationalism with attendant liberal proclivities; on the other a more conservative vision for the role of women in the family and civic duties. The election of the Democratic Party of Japan (DJP) in 2009 saw fertility issues prominent in the election campaign. Nonetheless, recapturing the lost economic greatness and the role of fertility in definitions of Japanese nationalism remain unresolved and controversial issues.

Szajnowska-Wysocka, Alicja

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0005-2

Theories of Regional and Local Development - Abridged Review

Szymańska, Daniela; Biegańska, Jadwiga; Gil, Anna

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0006-1

Rural Areas in Poland in The Context of Changes in Population Age Structure in 1996, 2001 and 2006 The article presents changes in the rural age structures in Poland as observed in the years 1996, 2001 and 2006. The changes in population numbers are analysed with respect to age groups, the aging index and the old-age rate. Regarding its spatial scope, the article covers rural areas in Poland and the basic territorial units it uses are rural communes and the rural parts of mixed rural-urban communes that altogether amount to 2,171 units (as of 2006). The obtained results are discussed in a broader context of urban as well as countrywide age structures.

Szymańska, Daniela; Środa-Murawska, Stefania; Świderska, Karolina; Adamiak, Czesław

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0007-0

Internal Migration in Germany in 1990 And 2005 The article seeks to answer the questions concerning the possibility of identifying regular patterns within internal migration in the towns and rural areas of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as factors contributing to regional variations in the process. The research involves 439 German counties (Kreise) and compares data on internal migration in the country in the years 1991 and 2005, i.e. from its reunification until the year 2005. The 15-year period of functioning of one reunited state has been assumed sufficient for capturing some regularities and trends.

Zaninetti, Jean-Marc

2009 Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series

doi: 10.2478/v10089-009-0008-z

Is Houston Turning Green? Houston metropolitan area is ranking now the 6th largest in the US, with a growth of 1 million people in 8 years. Despite its success story, Houston suffers from a long-standing environmental bad press. The city is well known for its lack of zoning. However, Houston officials display considerable efforts to "green" their city and improve its reputation. This new policy orientation raises interesting research questions about its effective adaptive capacity to the emerging pattern of sustainable development. This paper aims at assessing the strength and weaknesses of Houston metro area in the framework of the requirements of sustainable development.