Problems of Transforming Military Training Areas in a Post-Communist Space: Local Community Perceptions and Policy Implications

Abstract

The integration of socioeconomically marginalized areas into regional systems in the context of post-communist transformation has been an important subject of social science research in general. The military training areas (MTA), as specifi c type of peripheries, have been so far little explored. Based on the results of an extensive questionnaire survey (N = 1,362), the authors of this study analyze local community perceptions of MTA in the Czech Republic, assess positive and negative impacts of MTA on the quality of life, and discuss possible future development scenarios of the areas. The results show that local communities in the hinterland of MTA perceive similar problems as those living in other peripheral and/ or rural areas, particularly unemployment, limited options of obtaining own housing, maintenance of road infrastructure, limited options of leisure activities, etc. Ensuring a harmony between local development and MTA activities is considered a specifi c issue. Problems are perceived more likely by older and highly educated people, and those living in smaller municipalities with higher unemployment and municipalities located closer to MTA. On the other hand, young and less educated people living in larger municipalities with higher unemployment rates, which are located at a greater distance from county seats, perceive more likely positive impacts of MTA.

Depopulation and Extinction of Villages in Moravia and the Czech Part of Silesia since World War II

“…This also enabled the theoretical restoration of permanent settlement. However, this effect on the settlement system has similar problems to the effect on villages in peripheral areas [41].…”

The Geography of Demilitarisation: Do Regional Economic Disparities Affect the Spatial Distribution of Military Base Closures?

“…Our basic empirical results are consistent with the comprehensive study of geographical aspects of demilitarisation in the Czech Republic provided by Hercik (2016). Hercik documented a gradual significant spatial concentration of military bases into the largest cities, an overall reduction of military functions in space, but also the growth of military employment in municipalities with less than 1,000 inhabitants in the military training areas located in highly peripheral areas (Frantál et al, 2020). As he stated:…”

“…Marginal regions of the former military training areas are analysed relatively frequently. Several papers focus on their prospects of development (Seidl and Chromý, 2010), ecological value and land-use patterns (Havlíček et al, 2018), or local community perception (Frantál et al, 2020).…”