Publications
Children and overtourism: a cognitive neuroscience experiment to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences
Children, despite preferring sustainable tourism scenarios, show a notable fixation on overtourism imagery, particularly overcrowding, according to a cognitive neuroscience study involving 397 participants. The research revealed that while children exhibit increased physiological arousal when exposed to sustainable tourism images—though less than with overtourism—they predominantly express neutral emotions in both contexts. Gender differences emerged, with girls showing lower place attachment in sustainable scenarios. Inner-city residents displayed diminished nature connectedness, and emotions were indirectly linked to pro-environmental behavior. Older children and inner-city residents showed heightened neutrality toward overtourism concerns, while those outside the city exhibited stronger nature connectedness. The study underscores the need for inclusive, child-empowered approaches to sustainable tourism development.
Evaluation of the Local Site Effects and Their Implication to the Seismic Risk of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
A seismic risk assessment of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik reveals that local geological structures and site effects significantly influence earthquake vulnerability. The study, using non-invasive seismic survey methods, identified areas prone to stronger damage during tremors, particularly in response to historical earthquakes like those in 1667 (M ~ 7) and 1979 (M6.8). These findings provide critical data for mitigating seismic hazards, essential for preserving this cultural heritage site as a testament to its historical significance.
Evaluation of the Local Site Effects of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
The Old City of Dubrovnik exhibits significant variations in local site effects that influence seismic risk. Built on three distinct geomorphological and geological entities—southern bedrock ridge, central filled part (former sea embayment), and northern bedrock ridge—the city's vulnerability to earthquakes is heightened by its complex subsurface conditions. A study funded by the Croatian Science Foundation aimed to map these variations using updated geophysical methods and new geological investigations, building on data from the 1980s. The research highlights the importance of precise microzonation maps for future planning, reconstruction, and seismic risk mitigation, following devastating historical earthquakes such as the 1667 event (M~7) and the 1979 earthquake (M6.8), which caused widespread damage despite its epicentral distance from Dubrovnik.
Seismic Performance Assessment of the 18th Century Jesuit College in Dubrovnik’s Old City
A seismic performance assessment of the 18th-century Jesuit College in Dubrovnik’s Old City reveals significant vulnerabilities to earthquake damage, particularly due to stress concentration and out-of-plane bending in structural components. The study, conducted as part of a broader research project on cultural heritage seismic risk, used field surveys, finite element modeling calibrated with ambient vibration data, and Eurocode 8 guidelines to evaluate the building's response to seismic demand. Findings highlight critical zones requiring retrofitting to mitigate risks, underscoring the fragility of unreinforced masonry structures built before modern seismic design standards.
Smart Solutions for Sustainable Tourism Pearls: How to Live Between Culture and Tourism in Dubrovnik
Overtourism in Dubrovnik, despite not yet severely impacting infrastructure or environmental conditions, significantly affects residents' quality of life. A smart holistic model using 21 indicators from the HERIT-DATA project offers a data-driven approach to managing tourism flows sustainably. This model, applied in Dubrovnik's UNESCO-listed Old City, provides policy makers and destination managers with tools to anticipate and mitigate negative effects while balancing economic benefits. Existing applications for visitor prediction should be leveraged more effectively to optimize tourist distribution and protect cultural heritage.
Flora of the cobbled streets and pavements in the Mediterranean Old City of Dubrovnik during the COVID-19 lockdown
During the COVID-19 lockdown, which significantly reduced human trampling in Dubrovnik's Old City, researchers documented 57 plant species and three subspecies thriving on cobbled streets and pavements. The study, conducted in April 2020, revealed a dominance of therophytes (annual plants), cosmopolitan taxa, and species associated with ruderal habitats such as Papaveretea rhoeadis and Chenopodietea. By analyzing taxonomic composition, life forms, chorotypes, and phytosociological traits across eight sites—including the main street Stradun—the research underscored the resilience of urban flora in historical settings when subjected to minimal disturbance. This unique observation highlights the potential for urban plant communities to flourish under altered environmental conditions, offering insights into the ecological dynamics of Mediterranean World Heritage Sites.
The perception of travellers and the World Heritage Site image
Differences in how tourists and cruise ship visitors perceive the image of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) are driven by distinct cognitive and affective elements. The study, conducted on 1,019 travellers visiting Dubrovnik’s Old City between April and October 2016, revealed that these two groups form their WHS image differently—tourists prioritize emotional connections, while cruise passengers lean toward more practical or sensory-based evaluations. Using advanced statistical methods like exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), researchers identified key attributes shaping these perceptions, offering a framework to explore how information sources, demographics, and motivations influence overall WHS image formation.
(Un)supported Current Tourism Development in UNESCO Protected Site: The Case of Old City of Dubrovnik
Residents' perceptions of tourism's economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts in UNESCO-protected sites directly influence their support for tourism development. A study on the Old City of Dubrovnik (OCD) revealed that residents who view tourism positively tend to support its expansion, while those perceiving negative effects oppose it. The research applied statistical methods, including Cronbach alpha, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM), to test a model linking these perceptions to tourism support. Findings underscore the importance of resident perceptions in shaping sustainable tourism policies, particularly in UNESCO sites where interactions between locals, tourists, and development are intense.
Neki suvremeni sociogeografski procesi u povijesnoj jezgri grada Dubrovnika
The historic center of Dubrovnik has undergone significant transformation due to modern socio-economic pressures, particularly driven by tourism. The study reveals that the population of the old city declined drastically from 5,181 to 1,241 between 1953 and 2006, while the number of jobs tripled, creating a stark contrast between seasonal and off-season economic activity. Daily visitor numbers, reaching up to 40,000 in summer months—with 87.7% being tourists—have further exacerbated this shift. The research highlights how Dubrovnik’s historic core has become a cultural tourist product, with cruising tourism intensifying these trends. The study employs sociogeographical analysis to examine these processes, offering insights into the challenges faced by heritage sites in balancing development and preservation.
Report on Previous and Plan of Future Geodynamic Research in the Historical Centre of Old City of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is located in a highly seismic region, with its historical center experiencing significant deformation due to tectonic movements. A study analyzing geodetic measurements from the 1980s and 1990s revealed critical deformations, particularly following the 1995-1996 earthquake sequence that included over 3000 tremors. The research highlights the urgent need for expanded interdisciplinary geodynamic monitoring, including precise horizontal, GNSS, and gravimetric measurements, to better understand the seismic risks posed by the Adriatic micro-plate's movements. This comprehensive approach aims to inform future research and reconstruction efforts in the vulnerable historical center.
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