Historic-geographical and Environmental Elements in the Development of Heritage and Territorial Identities: Examples from Military Areas in Czechia
Abstract
Military areas present spatially significant and, in terms of functional use, a very unique segment of the landscape. At the same time, considering the regional system, they exemplify marginalized areas.
The objective of this article is to draw attention to issues surrounding the territorial development of former and current military areas in the context of research projects concerning the settlement and regional system and landscape changes, especially in connection with research into the mechanisms behind the polarization of space and processes in the formation of heritage and territorial identities. The authors discuss the differentiation of military training areas within Czechia, since the first half of the twentieth century, in terms of their type, the causes and consequences of their establishment and conversion, developments regarding their territorial extent, changing functions and impacts on the landscape as well as on the development of neighbouring areas.
Attention is focused primarily on large territories - military training areas and military proving grounds. (The article is a result of implementation of GAUK no. 58610 and GAČR 403/09/1491 grant projects.)