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Authors: Dajana Bjelajac, Minučer Mesaroš, Randall J. Schaetzl, Dragoslav Pavić, Tanja Micić,
Rastko S. Marković, Milivoj B. Gavrilov, Zoran Perić, Slobodan B. Marković

Abstract: In this paper we introduce the term “loess pyramid” for an unusual form of relief in thick loess deposits. From a distance, the loess pyramid resembles a haystack; this is why it is known as “the haystack” by the local residents. Its erosional origin is conditional, occurring only where loess deposits are thick and gully erosion changes direction signifcantly. We describe a loess pyramid on a thick loess section near the Tisa (Tisza) River in Titel province, Serbia. The pyramid has a maximum altitude of 111.6 m, a width of 82 m and a length of 52 m. It is framed by two smaller gullies that belong to one hydrological system, but each has different morphological properties. The gullies output directly to the floodplain of the Tisa River, which cut the escarpment that the pyramid is set within. Given the relatively small number of references from the international and geomorphological literature on such landforms, this study represents an interesting contribution to the geomorphology of loess landscapes.

Keywords: loess, pyramid, geomorphology, erosion, Titel

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.01-01

Article info: 1-7

Received: August 24, 2015 | Revised: January 03, 2016 | Accepted: March 07, 2016

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Authors: Vu Van Trung, Nguyen Anh Thu

Abstract: This paper examines the trade potential of climate smart goods (CSG) of Vietnam. In particular, the study employs gravity model with panel data for bilateral trade between Vietnam and its 45 partners from 2002 to 2013 with an objective of identifying the determinants explaining Vietnam’s trade of climate smart products. The estimation results reveal that economic size, market size, distance, real exchange rate, border, and the quality of infrastructure of both Vietnam and its trading partners play a major role in bilateral trade of CSG. Additionally, the paper applies the method using speed of convergence and the estimated gravity equation to answer whether Vietnam has fully realized the potential trade of CSG. Accordingly, Vietnam has strong opportunity for trade expansion with 19 out of 45 countries in the scope of this paper.

Keywords: climate smart goods (CSG), gravity model, trade potential, Vietnam

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.01-02

Article info: 8-18

Received: June 28, 2015 | Revised: September 22, 2015 | Accepted: March 16, 2016

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Authors: Victor Ongoma, Pamela Kalondu Muange, Zablon Weku Shilenje

Abstract: This study reviews the effect of urbanization on human thermal comfort over Nairobi city in Kenya. Urbanization alters urban centre’s land use and land cover, modifying the climate of the urban setting. The modifcation in climate affects human comfort and the environment at large. This study focuses on the recent studies conducted in Nairobi city and many other cities globally to examine modifcation of wind, temperature and humidity over Nairobi. There was observed reduction in wind speed and relative humidity over the city, posing threat to human and animal comfort and the environment at large. The city of Nairobi, just like other cities globally is observed to experience urban heat island (UHI). The observed increase in minimum temperature as compared to maximum temperature signifes overall warming. A combination of all these changes reduces human comfort. Borrowing lessons from developed cities, increasing the urban forest cover is thus suggested as one of the practical and effective measures that can help prevent further modifcation of weather and urban climates. The study recommends further research involving multi-sectoral urban stake holders, on forcing driving urban thermal comfort. In the short term, design and construction of appropriate structures can help minimize energy consumption and emissions, thus enhancing comfort.

Keywords: thermal comfort, urban heat island, urbanization, Nairobi City

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.01-03

Article info: 19-31

Received: May 31, 2015 | Revised: December 09, 2015 | Accepted: March 13, 2016

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Authors: Ágnes Takács, Márton Kiss, Ágnes Gulyás, Eszter Tanács, Noémi Kántor

Abstract: The heat stress modifcation capacity of urban trees is widely acknowledged and makes these natural landscape elements very important in the feld of climate conscious urban planning. Many studies proved that shading, i.e. the reduction of direct solar radiation is the most effective way to moderate summer heat stress under Central European climatic conditions. The investigation aims at determining the transmissivity of four tree species that occur frequently in Hungarian cities: Sophora japonica, Tilia cordata, Celtis occidentalis and Aesculus hippocastanum. In order to accomplish that, a systematic radiation measurement campaign was carried out in the South-Hungarian city of Szeged, from early summer (foliated condition of trees) to late autumn (nearly leafless condition). Short-wave radiation from the upper hemisphere was measured with Kipp & Zonen pyranometers under carefully selected tree specimens (transmitted radiation), as well as on a roof station free from sky obstruction (actual value of global radiation). The calculated transmissivity values varied greatly with the seasonal status of the canopy (the median value of transmissivity increased from 0.03 to 0.47 in case of A. hippocastanum), and we found considerable inter-species differences too, evidencing that solar permeability depends on the amount of leaves, leaf density and other tree crown-related characteristics.

Keywords: shading potential, transmissivity, urban trees, Szeged, Hungary

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.01-04

Article info: 32-41

Received: October 11, 2015 | Revised: January 25, 2016 | Accepted: March 15, 2016

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Authors: Tijana Đorđević

Abstract: As a conventional non-renewable fossil energy sources have a leading role in energy production, constant price increase and lack of resources are the key problem for the whole world. Fossil fuels are the major polluters of the environment which leads to global issues such as global warming, greenhouse effect, acid rain, etc., therefore the growing need and importance of substitution of non-renewable to renewable energy sources is evident. Wind energy as a renewable source of energy has been recognized as one of the cleanest and economically viable substitution of fossil energy sources. Because of this, most countries of the world started to increase their use of wind energy to generate electricity. The Republic of Serbia, which has a remarkable wind potential, is still in the early stages of development in the feld of wind energy. Numerous studies confrm that the territory of Vojvodina has the largest wind energy potencial in Serbia. The main objective of this paper is to extract the areas that are most suitable for the construction of wind farms on the basis of defned criteria and with the help of GIS technology in the territory of Vojvodina.

Keywords: Renewable energy, wind energy, windmill farms, spatial planning, Vojvodina

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.01-05

Article info: 42-50

Received: November 16, 2015 | Revised: February 9, 2016 | Accepted: March 3, 2016