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Geographies, Volume 5, Issue 4 (December 2025) – 8 articles

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14 pages, 2656 KB  
Article
Strategic Ground Data Planning for Efficient Crop Classification Using Remote Sensing and Mobile-Based Survey Tools
by Ramavenkata Mahesh Nukala, Pranay Panjala, Vazeer Mahammood and Murali Krishna Gumma
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040059 - 15 Oct 2025
Viewed by 63
Abstract
Reliable and representative ground data is fundamental for accurate crop classification using satellite imagery. This study demonstrates a structured approach to ground truth planning in the Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, where wheat is the dominant crop. Pre-season spectral clustering of Sentinel-2 Level-2A NDVI [...] Read more.
Reliable and representative ground data is fundamental for accurate crop classification using satellite imagery. This study demonstrates a structured approach to ground truth planning in the Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, where wheat is the dominant crop. Pre-season spectral clustering of Sentinel-2 Level-2A NDVI time-series data (November–March) was applied to identify ten spectrally distinct zones across the district, capturing phenological and land cover variability. These clusters were used at the village level to guide spatially stratified and optimized field sampling, ensuring coverage of heterogeneous and agriculturally significant areas. A total of 197 ground truth points were collected using the iCrops mobile application, enabling standardized and photo-validated data collection with offline functionality. The collected ground observations formed the basis for random forest supervised classification, enabling clear differentiation between major land use and land cover (LULC) classes with an overall accuracy of 91.6% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.886. The findings highlight that systematic ground data collection significantly enhances the reliability of remote sensing-based crop mapping. The outputs serve as a valuable resource for agricultural planners, policymakers, and local stakeholders by supporting crop monitoring, land use planning, and informed decision-making in the context of sustainable agricultural development. Full article
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27 pages, 7926 KB  
Article
Composite Index of Poverty Based on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Framework: A Case from Manggarai Barat, Indonesia
by Ardiyanto Maksimilianus Gai, Rustiadi Ernan, Baba Barus and Akhmad Fauzi
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040058 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 235
Abstract
Rural poverty in Indonesia remains a complex issue involving various aspects. West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, is a national tourist destination and a significant focus of national development, yet poverty rates remain very high. Therefore, this study developed a Composite Poverty Index (CPI) [...] Read more.
Rural poverty in Indonesia remains a complex issue involving various aspects. West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, is a national tourist destination and a significant focus of national development, yet poverty rates remain very high. Therefore, this study developed a Composite Poverty Index (CPI) using the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Approach (SRLA) to illustrate the complexity of rural deprivation in West Manggarai Regency. The CPI was developed by normalizing eighteen validated indicators across five livelihood capitals—human, social, natural, physical, and financial. These indicators were then classified using a Likert-type scale, and their weights were determined through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to produce village-level CIP scores. The results show that most villages fall into the “Moderate” category (CIP: 0.40–0.60), reflecting chronic but not extreme deprivation. Spatial inequalities are evident, particularly in access to education, infrastructure, clean water, financial services, and ecological resources. Remote villages recorded higher CIP scores. Natural and economic capital were weakest, while human and social capital performed relatively well. Therefore, poverty alleviation in West Manggarai requires an integrated strategy tailored to local spatial conditions and livelihood capital. Full article
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17 pages, 8322 KB  
Article
Housing Affordability in the United States: Price-to-Income Ratio by Pareto Distribution
by Francisco Vergara-Perucich
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040057 - 6 Oct 2025
Viewed by 507
Abstract
This study integrates the price-to-income ratio (PIR) with Pareto distribution characteristics to provide a novel approach for evaluating home affordability across U.S. counties. The methodology offers a new lens for the analysis of home affordability by capturing both the extreme values and central [...] Read more.
This study integrates the price-to-income ratio (PIR) with Pareto distribution characteristics to provide a novel approach for evaluating home affordability across U.S. counties. The methodology offers a new lens for the analysis of home affordability by capturing both the extreme values and central tendencies of PIR. The study normalizes the resulting Pareto parameters to a common scale and integrates data from the Zillow Home Value Index and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SAIPE program to create a single affordability index. The findings point to significant regional differences: coastal and urban regions, such as California and New York, face significant affordability challenges, whereas the Midwest, especially Kansas, has higher affordability. The results highlight the significance of targeted policy interventions and are consistent with the body of research on systemic risk and housing market dynamics. This study also opens new avenues for future research, including the impact of economic factors on affordability and cross-regional comparative studies. The suggested approach encourages more equitable access to housing by providing policymakers with a useful tool to track and manage challenges related to housing affordability. Full article
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22 pages, 2097 KB  
Article
At Risk While on the Move—Mobility Vulnerability of Individuals and Groups in Disaster Risk Situations
by Alexander Fekete
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040056 - 6 Oct 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Vulnerability is often analysed as a static condition of residents at a location, exposed to disaster and other risks. Studies on individual aspects of mobility and vulnerability exist, but comprehensive studies or guiding frameworks are lacking. The paper’s unique contribution compared to existing [...] Read more.
Vulnerability is often analysed as a static condition of residents at a location, exposed to disaster and other risks. Studies on individual aspects of mobility and vulnerability exist, but comprehensive studies or guiding frameworks are lacking. The paper’s unique contribution compared to existing vulnerability models lies in emphasising vulnerability not only at fixed places, but also during transit, movement, and temporary phases. This paper highlights the current state of research on mobility vulnerability within disaster risk contexts. Through a systematic literature review, the study discovers a lack of research analysing specific vulnerabilities during mobility. Additionally, existing vulnerability frameworks are improved by incorporating (i) disaster risk and impact scenarios, (ii) different types of movements and mobilities linked to disaster risk situations, (iii) multiple localities, modalities, and temporalities, as well as multiple risks during sequences of movement and stationary phases, (iv) daily and occasional hazards, and (v) emic and etic perspectives on vulnerability. The findings of this study aim to inform future research on risk and vulnerability, supporting more effective responses amidst the changing dynamics of disaster situations. Full article
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19 pages, 8892 KB  
Article
Territorial Context and Spatial Interactions: A Case Study on the Erasmus K1 Mobility Datasets
by Alexandru Rusu, Octavian Groza, Nicolae Popa and Anita Denisa Caizer
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040055 - 3 Oct 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of different territorial contexts on academic mobility within the framework of the Erasmus Programme, using data on Key Action 1 exchanges between 2015 and 2023. Using official EU datasets and a gravity model framework, the research investigates how [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the impact of different territorial contexts on academic mobility within the framework of the Erasmus Programme, using data on Key Action 1 exchanges between 2015 and 2023. Using official EU datasets and a gravity model framework, the research investigates how economic performance, geographical distance, EU membership, AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) regional affiliation, and state contiguity shape international academic flows. The research developed two gravity models: one aimed to measure the potential barriers to academic flows through a residuals analysis, and the second integrated territorial delineations as predictors. In both models, the core of the explanatory variable is formed by indicators describing the economic performance of states and the distance between countries. When applied, the models converge in emphasizing that the inclusion of states in different territorial configurations has a strong effect on the structuring of academic flows. This suggests that the Erasmus Programme exhibits trends of overconcentration of flows in a limited number of countries, questioning the need for a more polycentric strategy and a reshaping of the funding mechanisms. Even if the gravity models behave well, given the limited number of predictors, further studies may need to incorporate qualitative indicators for a more comprehensive evaluation of the interactions. Full article
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20 pages, 1521 KB  
Article
Moving Down the Urban Hierarchy: Exploring Patterns of Internal Migration Towards Small Towns in Latvia
by Janis Krumins and Maris Berzins
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040054 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 303
Abstract
Europe has experienced a growing divergence in trends of population change across the urban hierarchy. A key driver of this divergence is internal migration, which underpins the efficient functioning of the economy by enhancing labor market flexibility and allowing people to choose the [...] Read more.
Europe has experienced a growing divergence in trends of population change across the urban hierarchy. A key driver of this divergence is internal migration, which underpins the efficient functioning of the economy by enhancing labor market flexibility and allowing people to choose the most desired locations. Internal migration in Latvia is of increasing importance, as the propensity to change residence within national borders has become the primary mechanism of demographic change, shaping population redistribution across regions and the urban hierarchy. We used Latvia as a case study, exemplified by the monocentric urban system with Riga City at its center, as well as a relatively dense network of small towns spread across all regions. Small towns in Latvia, although not characterized by high levels of internal migration, exhibit notable changes in their demographic and socioeconomic composition. Our analysis uses administrative data on registered migration for each year from 2011 to 2021 to characterize migration patterns, as well as data from the 2011 and 2021 census rounds on 1-year migration to analyze the composition of the migrant population. The results showed sociodemographic variations in the characteristics of individuals migrating to small towns. Understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of internal migration patterns and compositional effects is vital for effective local and regional development policies to plan essential services and infrastructure. Full article
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40 pages, 5472 KB  
Article
Geotourism: From Theoretical Definition to Practical Analysis in the Sohodol Gorges Protected Area, Romania
by Amalia Niță, Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa, Emilia Constantinescu and Dorina Bonea
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040053 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
The Sohodol Gorges has become a location of interest for tourists seeking ecological experiences and outdoor activities. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the attitudes of Romanian tourists toward the development of geotourism in this region following the COVID-19 [...] Read more.
The Sohodol Gorges has become a location of interest for tourists seeking ecological experiences and outdoor activities. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the attitudes of Romanian tourists toward the development of geotourism in this region following the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the research questions, hypotheses, variables, and research methodology, the following research objectives were emphasized in this study of the Oltenia region: (1) investigate how certain socio-demographic variables, such as age, gender, level of education, and occupation, influence tourists’ perceptions of the various aspects of geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges; (2) analyze the different dimensions of geotourism, including its economic, ecological, and socio-cultural impacts, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of how geotourism is perceived in the study area in the post-pandemic context. For a qualitative evaluation of the information presented in this study, the authors used a qualitative survey with open questions and closed questions as a data collection method. For data processing and analysis, the EViews version 12.0 software package was used, enabling complex statistical analyses such as multiple regressions and correlation coefficient determination. These techniques were essential for identifying and interpreting the relationships between demographic variables and tourist perceptions. The research results provide a detailed picture of the influence that demographic and behavioral factors have on tourists’ perceptions in the context of post-COVID-19 geotourism development in the Sohodol Gorges of Romania. Education level and age play a significant role in shaping economic and environmental perceptions, indicating that tourists with higher education levels are more aware of the economic and ecological impact of tourism. Full article
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16 pages, 283 KB  
Article
Empowering Youth for Climate Resilience: A Geographical Education Model from Italy and Turkey
by Antonella Senese, Davide Fugazza, Veronica Manara, Emilio Bianco, Laura Brambilla, Sara Settembrini, Elisa Falcini, Daniela Marzano, Michela Panizza, Carmela Torelli, Maurizio Maugeri and Guglielmina Adele Diolaiuti
Geographies 2025, 5(4), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5040052 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 289
Abstract
Climate change poses significant risks to both natural and urban systems, and fostering climate literacy among younger generations is increasingly recognized as a key component of resilience strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of a transnational climate education project involving high school students [...] Read more.
Climate change poses significant risks to both natural and urban systems, and fostering climate literacy among younger generations is increasingly recognized as a key component of resilience strategies. This paper presents the outcomes of a transnational climate education project involving high school students from Cinisello Balsamo (Italy) and Edremit (Turkey), developed under the EU-funded Town Twinning program. The project combined scientific seminars, experiential learning, and digital tools (including carbon footprint calculators and immersive virtual glacier tours) to enhance climate knowledge and civic engagement. Youth Climate Councils were established to co-develop local sustainability proposals and engage with municipal authorities. Quantitative tests and qualitative evaluations confirmed significant learning gains and high satisfaction among participants. A comparative analysis with international initiatives highlights the project’s unique integration of scientific rigor, participatory methods, and cross-border cooperation. The proposed model offers a replicable framework for embedding place-based climate education into urban governance and youth policy. Full article
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