Tag: 16(1)

Understanding Seismic Hazard Resilience in Montenegro: A Qualitative Analysis of Community Preparedness and Response Capabilities

Cvetković, V., Grozdanić, G., Milanović, M., Marković, S., Lukić, T. (2024). Understanding Seismic Hazard Resilience in Montenegro: A Qualitative Analysis of Community Preparedness and Response Capabilities. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220729. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Goran Grozdanić, Miško Milanović, Slobodan Marković, and Tin Lukić Understanding seismic hazard resilience in Montenegro: A qualitative analysis of community preparedness and response capabilities https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0729 received May 13, 2024; accepted October 15, 2024 Abstract: Enhancing resilience against seismic hazards in earthquake-prone regions is essential for reducing the devastating impacts of disasters. Seismic resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from earthquake impacts, while preparedness gaps are the areas where current measures are insufficient to effectively respond to or mitigate earthquake damage. This study focuses on Montenegro – a region with frequent seismic activity – aiming to assess resili- ence levels, identify critical gaps in preparedness, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing response strategies. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, the research gathered insights from residents of Montenegro’s most vulner- able cities: Nikšić, Podgorica, Bar, Kotor, Cetinje, Budva, Herceg Novi, and Berane. Participants, chosen for their first-hand experience with significant earthquake impacts, provided valu- able perspectives on various aspects of resilience, from local  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef- Straße 18, 8700, Leoben, Austria; Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs, vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at Goran Grozdanić: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Montenegro, Danila Bojovića bb., 81400, Nikšić, Montenegro, e-mail: gorangr@ucg.ac.me Miško Milanović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 3/III, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: misko.milanovic@gef.bg.ac.rs Slobodan Marković: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University […]

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Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience

Cvetković, V. M., Gole, S., Renner, R., Jakovljević, V., & Lukić, T. (2024). Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220755. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Stefan Gole, Renate Renner, Vladimir Jakovljević, and Tin Lukić Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0755 received November 18, 2024; accepted December 07, 2024 Abstract: This research is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the legal and institutional measures established to safe- guard cultural heritage in the Republic of Serbia against the adverse effects of disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, rockfalls, floods, torrents, storms, hail, and forest fires. The study seeks to identify key challenges and shortcomings within the existing legal and institu- tional framework while also highlighting and analyzing best practices and potential avenues for improvement in the protection system. The research posits a preliminary hypothesis suggesting that significant challenges exist  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at Stefan Gole: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: golestefan@gmail.com Renate Renner: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria, e-mail: renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at Vladimir Jakovljević: Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University […]

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Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia

Cvetković, V. M., Sudar, S., Ivanov, A., Lukić, T., & Grozdanić, G. (2024). Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220669. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Srna Sudar, Aleksandar Ivanov, Tin Lukić, and Goran Grozdanić Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0669 received May 06, 2024; accepted June 14, 2024 Abstract: This comparative study aims to investigate envir- onmental awareness, knowledge, and safety among stu- dents in Montenegro and North Macedonia, considering the unique socio-cultural and environmental contexts of both countries. A mixed-methods approach involving sur- veys and interviews was employed to gather data from students in educational institutions across Montenegro and North Macedonia. The study assessed various factors, including students’ awareness of environmental issues, their perceived level of knowledge, and their attitudes towards safety measures. A comprehensive series of 400 face-to-face interviews was carried out, and these inter- views encompassed 200 students from Montenegro and an equal number from North Macedonia, taking place at two esteemed academic institutions: The University of Montenegro in Podgorica and The University of St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia. Our hypothetical conceptual fra- mework proposes that a combination of variables, including gender (H1), age (H2), year of study (H3), and rate of study (H4), significantly influences the attitudes of students from Montenegro and North Macedonia towards environmental  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disasters and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Scientific- Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Srna Sudar: Project Office, Rectorate, University of Montenegro, Cetinjska 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, e-mail: srna@ucg.ac.me Aleksandar […]

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Understanding seismic hazard resilience in Montenegro: A qualitative analysis of community preparedness and response capabilities

Enhancing resilience against seismic hazards in earthquake-prone regions is essential for reducing the devastating impacts of disasters. Seismic resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from earthquake impacts, while preparedness gaps are the areas where current measures are insufficient to effectively respond to or mitigate earthquake damage. This study focuses on Montenegro – a region with frequent seismic activity – aiming to assess resilience levels, identify critical gaps in preparedness, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing response strategies. Using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, the research gathered insights from residents of Montenegro’s most vulnerable cities: Nikšić, Podgorica, Bar, Kotor, Cetinje, Budva, Herceg Novi, and Berane. Participants, chosen for their first-hand experience with significant earthquake impacts, provided valuable perspectives on various aspects of resilience, from local government response to individual preparedness. This research revealed significant disparities in resilience across communities: for instance, approximately 62.5% of the respondents highlighted inadequate education as a barrier to effective earthquake preparedness, and only 37.5% reported awareness of basic earthquake response procedures. Furthermore, while some communities, such as urban areas with accessible services, reported higher preparedness levels, rural areas showed deficiencies, with 50% of the respondents from these areas identifying a lack of organized drills and limited public awareness initiatives. These findings underscore the urgent need for community-specific preparedness programs and enhancements in both structural resilience and public education to bolster community readiness effectively. Also, findings highlight the need for customized preparedness programs tailored to specific community needs, alongside improvements in structural safety measures and educational outreach. The study underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach involving detailed risk assessments, community-focused preparedness training, and stronger public awareness initiatives. Furthermore, the study calls for enhanced local government capabilities to sustain proactive response measures, including rapid mobilization of emergency resources and regular disaster simulations, to […]

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