Renewal, revitalisation, or reconstruction of public spaces is an inevitable part of the urban dynamics process. However, before any decision of future development is made, it is necessary to be acquainted with the given place. Mapping urban spaces is essential for recognizing the specifics of a certain area, while a relevant analysis should be performed on the basis of multiple data sources. Nonetheless, identification of relevant data sources as well as their limits, which need to be considered, represent challenges in the process. The study aims to highlight the importance of socio-spatial analyses as tools which help to familiarize place makers with public space as well as with the small nuances of its everyday functioning. Relevant online data sources for urban space analysis (Instasights, Strava) and their limits were explored, described, and applied to the area of interest - two banks of the Danube riverfront in Bratislava, Slovakia. The method was supplemented by mapping of human movement and behaviour. The combination of the methods is a relatively fast and simple way to get to know the spatial, social, environmental, aesthetic, and other dimensions of the given space. The interpretation of data illustrates possible outcomes that can be gained through mapping of public spaces before changes or development plans are proposed. Hence, the paper contributes to the repertory of the possible sources of online data that can be used for recognizing the specific characteristics of individual public spaces. This contributes to responsible decision-making about the future of the urban environment, built on data-based arguments. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: • Online data represents a valuable source of city-related information as well as a relevant addition to other mapping methods. • Mapping an area of interest is a necessary step of the data-based planning process and should always precede any development of urban spaces. • A combination of data from various data sources which reflect life in public space can support user-oriented planning and contribute to responsible decision making.

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New role of the European regions within the processes of cooperation and competition highlighted their need for unique, highly profiled and strategically managed regional identity. Regional identity is one of the most important assets of any region and might serve as invaluable competitive advantage. Regional identity, its sources, background and consequences for regional development are the main focus of this contribution. Need for unique, original and plausible profile of each region, aspiring to be successful in the process of regional competition has been confirmed to be utterly urgent. Struggling for competitive advantage of the particular region is based on the strategic managerial approach toward city / regional identity. The article refers to the survey of regional identity in the river basins of the Morava river in both the Slovak and the Czech parts of the river basins covering the results of perception of various elements of regional identity: perception of landscape and river, relations to living spaces, values and image, river identity and identification with territory, recent societal development and future perspectives.

Territorial cohesion has been one of the most prominent topics of discourse among spatial planners, urban sociologists, economists and experts from various other fields. Territorial systems with high degree of cohesion are better equipped to withstand the external pressures and situational imbalancies. Recent global crisis exposed these imbalancies and challenged the smooth and balanced spatial development of European countries. Major economic setbacks influenced entire society in Slovakia. Global financial crisis evaporated the ultimate growth of Slovak economics and exposed hidden imbalancies of development policies solely related to GDP growth instead of creating the fundaments for sustainability in the transition economy. Spatial polarization on different levels of society weakened down the overall (mainly social) cohesion and highlighted the problems of marginalized regions and social groups. Social aspects of territorial and spatial processes are more visible than ever before and regional disparities are becoming more prominent issue in political and scientific discourse. Despite the deep profilation of regional identity and place attachment, there are still considerable distinctions and disparities between metropolitan/urban and rural communities in terms of values, consumption patterns, life style, sense of solidarity or wealth distribution. Selected aspects of territorial cohesion in Slovakia, mainly in the field of social cohesion are in the spotlight in this paper. Focus on integrative spatial development balancing the contradictions by effective mixture of general approach and reasonable and sensible differentiation is considered highly essential

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