Local Resilience to Natural Hazards in Serbia. Case Study: The West Morava River Valley

Abstract

During the past decade, the valley of the West Morava in the central part of the Republic of Serbia experienced several natural hazards that have changed the life of the inhabitants. The aim of this paper is to show how people perceive natural hazards in the areas where they do not have catastrophic consequences for the entire population. The perceptions of natural hazards were examined according to similar studies and collected through surveys and interviews. The obtained stratified sample information was coded, and the results are expressed in the parameters of descriptive statistics, using T-test and ANOVA. The population is partially affected if inhabited locations are in the threatened part of the West Morava River valley and if their activities have direct consequences by natural disasters. They emphasize the importance of the political influences and mass media, but they show the need for additional information on prevention and protection. That is where they see geography as profession that sublimates all knowledge of natural disasters, unlike others that are more narrowly skilled. The results of the research are the starting point for further regional comparisons, which will complement the picture of the people's attitude and resilience to natural hazards in Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula.

Assessment of torrential flood and landslide susceptibility of terrain: Case study - Mlava River Basin (Serbia)

“…Сходно чињеници да повећање учесталости и интензитета природних непогода представља велику опасност по човечанство (Blaikie et al, 2014), припремљеност неке заједнице може утицати на висину очекиваних последица (Lukić et al, 2013(Lukić et al, , 2016(Lukić et al, , 2017(Lukić et al, , 2018a(Lukić et al, , 2018bDurlević et al, 2019).…”

“…Due to the fact that the increase of the frequency and intensity of natural disasters poses a great danger to humanity (Blaikie et al, 2014), the preparedness of a community can affect the level of expected consequences (Lukić et al, 2013(Lukić et al, , 2016(Lukić et al, , 2017(Lukić et al, , 2018a(Lukić et al, , 2018bDurlević et al, 2019). Due to the specific geographical position and natural conditions (diversity of geological, pedological, hydrological, relief and climatological conditions), Serbia often faces different natural disasters.…”

Tourism as a Factor of Regional Development: Community Perceptions and Potential Bank Support in the Kopaonik National Park (Serbia)

“…Settlements in the area of Kopaonik National Park are predominantly rural, in the mountainous altitude zone (at elevations of more than 600 m above sea level) and with unfavorable size and morphological structure. During the 1980s this area was affected by an earthquake, which affected the quality of life of the communities [84]. The region is dominated by small (100-300 inhabitants) and very small (under 100 inhabitants) rural settlements with a population that is existentially dependent on agricultural production.…”

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“…Hence, natural hazards do not pose the greatest threat to humanity (Blaikie et al 2014), but, depending on the magnitude of their impact and consequences, can affect an area to a greater or lesser extent (e.g. Lukić et al 2013Lukić et al , 2016Lukić et al , 2017Lukić et al , 2018aLukić et al 2018b;Durlević et al 2019).…”