Old maps, mainly from the period between 1890 and 1940, have been collected in the framework of the project “Old Maps of the Jizera Mountains”. These maps provide us with a complex picture, mainly of tourism, in this currently Czech–Polish territory. The territory of the Jizera Mountains was inhabited mainly by a German-speaking population on both sides of the border until 1945. Yet it is interesting to examine how the border between the two states – in those times Czechoslovakia and Germany, now Czechia and Poland – was illustrated on these old maps. This article argues that the border was not perceived as a barrier as such until later on, mainly due to the ethnic change in the borderlands. It also reveals that the borders on the maps are of manifold nature and cannot be simply limited to the national borders.

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There is no central information system supporting epidemiological surveillance in the case of the Czech Republic. For efficient management of epidemiological data, it is advisable to use a Geographic Information System (GIS), in which data can be managed based on their geographical component. The advantages of GIS are not only all tools for managing an ordinary database but also functions typical for geographic data. Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic) with the support of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic guarantees the design and building of an information system with GIS features designed for the solution of epidemics within the chosen region of the Czech Republic (Regional Hygiene Station of the Liberec Region). The concept of the information system is based on the requirement to use Open Source tools without the need for future license fees. A substantial part of the system is programmed (R language). Data input will be provided by forms and questionnaires (pre-prepared, editable). The database will be based on demographic data along with multiple time and geographical data (useful for the construction of epidemiological curves and data representation in maps). Data input is possible via any platform (desktop, smartphones, mobile GIS for fieldwork). The output console is designed to work with data organized in maps. After the necessary anonymization and aggregation of data, some of the data is designed to be made available to the general public. Emphasis is placed on the communication role of the information system in providing information from and to the public. The research team is multidisciplinary (epidemiologists, geographers, programmers, sociologists). The development of the information system has been started in 2019 on the example of alimentary diseases. A part of it has been used since March 2020 for monitoring COVID-19 within the Liberec Region. Full completion and commissioning are set for 2021. Key messages Geographic Information System is an effective database, analytical and communication tool for epidemilogy. The information system must enable communication with experts and the general public.

The use of methods of geographic information systems and cartography is common in the processes of spatial planning and Health Impact Assessment. As part of the research team of the Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic) and in cooperation with the Liberec City Hall and the Regional Hygiene Authority of the Liberec Region, we propose a procedure for the implementation of HIA in spatial planning. The project aims to propose and verify the methodological procedure of comprehensive assessment of health determinants in the area following the method of HIA in the territory of Liberec and the municipalities of the Liberec region. The main area of research and the applicability of results is in spatial and urban planning and public health protection, where the methodology will contribute to the identification of the main impacts on the health of the population, health inequalities and the proposed measures to eliminate or reduce negative or strengthen positive impacts. Multicriterial analysis with outputs in GIS will be used to define impacts. Project activities: the design of the concept of the data model, data analysis, evaluation of the methodology and proposal of measures supporting health. The project includes the design of the concept and logical structure of the data model of health determinants. This is the basis for multicriterial analyzes of health determinants. Its proposal will use methods of health impact assessment (HIA, especially scoping) and qualitative research methods. GIScience and geoinformatics methods will be used to solve the model structure. Last but not least, the methodology for analytical processing is elaborated: the activity will focus on the design and testing of multi-criteria analysis of health determinants. Key messages Geographic information systems enable efficient creation, analysis and communication of data model of health determinants. Spatial planning is a concrete tool for the implementation of health impact assessment objectives into practice.

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