Nature, Tourism and Ethnicity as Drivers of (De)Marginalization

This book considers de-marginalization attesting that marginal regions have the potential for de-marginalization and are anchored in developmental terms on the following core themes: nature; tourism; ethnicity and general factors including migration. Adding to the discussion on marginality and sustainability this book contributes a number of case studies on a diverse selection of topics and regions in which these crucial issues connect. It delivers a reflection of (de)marginalizing processes in today’s globalized world where an increasing number of people, groups, societies and regions are marginalized and vulnerable not only from social and economic factors, but also from natural causes such as natural hazards. This book addresses the unsustainable practices in the past that have often generated difficult conditions for sustainable development in the future. Marginal regions that have not been developed are given much needed consideration as they may now enjoy the benefits of having not been exploited in the past to their present-day developmental advantage. The overview offered by this book is significant in that marginal regions with relatively unspoiled and attractive natural (and cultural) landscapes have a great potential for sustainable tourism. Contributions include the (de)marginalization of ethnic groups, the role of education and migration in the process, and different economic and political perspectives. Considering the topics covered, the book should be appreciated by all those involved in creation of social policies, urban and regional planning – coordinating economic with spatial and social development and by those studying in the fields were competencies for such activities are important part of the study program.

Stanko Pelc: professor of geography, studied at Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy (MSc) at the University of Ljubljana and Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb (PhD). He has been involved in rural development and planning of transportation systems; worked as university teacher at the University of Ljubljana and University of Maribor. At present he teaches at the departments of pre-school and primary education as well as at geography department at the University of Primorska in Koper. His research interests cover many different fields such as demography, transportation geography, local and regional development, marginality and marginalization especially its social dimension and in educational context. He is (co)author of 24 scientific articles, 22 published scientific conference contributions, 29 component parts or chapters in monographs, edited three books; is author of one book and one university textbook (both in Slovenian). He has recently published an online book about Slovenian urban population. Miha Koderman: received his PhD in geography from University of Primorska and is now an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geography, University of Primorska (Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia). His main research fields include tourism and economic geography, as well as geography of migration, where he is especially interested in the phenomenon of roots tourism. He is an author (or a coauthor) of a scientific monograph (in Slovenian) and has published 13 scientific articles, 8 scientific conference contributions, 6 component parts or chapters in monographs and coedited two books. He is also an active member of the editorial board of the Geographic Horizon/Geografski obzornik professional journal.