Kopanice Region Introduction to the case study

Kopanice Region – Introduction to the case study and the territory : Kopanice Region – Introduction to the case study and the territory Jela Tvrdonova Podkylava, September 2006


The purpose of the case study : The purpose of the case study To learn the real rural area of Slovakia – as the base for the „learning by doing“ strategic planning training To learn to provide rapid rural appraisal exercise To understand the Slovak context for rural development


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description Territorially Kopanice belongs to two administrative districts - Myjava a Nové Mesto nad Váhom. On the North it borders with the Czech Republic Kopanice Region is situated in the west part of Trencin Region. It is rather mountain region, bordered by two hills – Bradlo in the South and Veľká Javorina in the North.


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description The mountains which cover the territory of Kopanice are rather hilly and belong to following mountain chains Myjava Mountains, Biele – White Carpathian Mountains and Malé – Small Carpathian Mountains. They give the region very picturesque character with the fine and attractive natural beauty Mountains are composed out of broad-leaves trees, mainly oak and BUK trees. Beautiful woods are combined with rich pastures and meadows suitable for cattle breeding Among rivers the Myjava river is the most important. Two natural water resources – Dam Stara Myjava and lake Dubnik near Stara Tura are very important water sports places


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description Demography: Population – 93.000 people Sparsely populated settlements spread around the territory Density – 95 inhabitants/km2 Size of the territory 979 km2 Nationality – 95% Slovak Religion – 60% Roma-catholic and 25% Lutheran Aging and depopulation


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description Economically – two different districts – Myjava more agriculture, Nove Mesto nad Vahom – more industrial Entrepreneurial activities – majority in terciary sector, but also secondary sector – in Nove Mesto nad Vahom Tourism potential and services – underutilized Unemployment relatively – low , working opportunities in CR, Austria, Trencin and Bratislava


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description The region has rich history and culture. For Slovakian national culture this area was one of the most important places in the past: Old castles – Branc and Cachticky hrad (Lady Dracula)


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description 1848 - memorials of Slovak national movements French general Stefanik – one of three main founders of the first Czechoslovak Republic Many Slovak writers, actors, painters.... Rich folk traditions – music, clothes, traditional events, festivals


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description The broad geographical diversity of the region together with natural beauty and number of historical monuments create very good conditions for tourism development In the region the potential for rural tourism, agri-tourism, bicyclo-tourism, water sports, fishing, but also winter sports. The main sport centers are Brezová pod Bradlom, Stará Myjava (dam) a Stará Turá-Dubník (lake).


Kopanice region – brief description : Kopanice region – brief description In spite of this potential, the region still does not pay sufficient attention to the promotion, management and infrastructure for tourism development. The exception is the well marked net of bicyclo- trails and tourism paths, horse-riding possibilities, bicycle, water bicycle and boat rental, accessibility to various playgrounds etc.


Travelling workshops : Travelling workshops Participants will be divided into four groups: Number 1:Myjava: Polianka – Stará Myjava – Myjava (museum, amfitheater) – Turá Lúka – Poriadie – memorials of 1848


Travelling workshops : Travelling workshops Number 2: Brezová: Košariská (múzeum, penzión) – Bradlo – Brezová – Podbranč a hrad Branč


Travelling workshops : Travelling workshops Number 3:Stará Turá: Hrašné – Stará Turá – Lubina – Bzince pod Javorinou


Travelling workshops : Travelling workshops Number 4:Čachtice: Podkylava - Krajné - Čachtický Hrad – Čachtice


Rapid rural appraisal methods : Rapid rural appraisal methods The purpose of the Rapid rural appraisal is area resources mapping, which are “visible” at the “first look”. This appraisal does not provide very detailed analysis, but often is a very good starting point for preliminary judgment where such an analysis should carried out in detail. Our participants do not have enough time for deep analysis, but they can cope very well with this method. This method is based on rapid collection of information on various resources. This information can be obtained either via observation, or via discussions with local people.


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts The following groups of resources are: Human, cultural, historical resources Material resources Natural resources Economic resources


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts Human, cultural, historical resources Cultural resources Historical resources Religion institutions, associations, activities, schools services social groups, relations, minorities and their status nationalities and ethnic groups, relations, minorities and their status attitudes, opinions, needs and problems of people


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts Material resources housing memorials and their current shape community and free time facilities including health facilities


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts Natural resources land use protected areas quality of the environment Attractions


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts Economic resources Entrepreneurs? Unemployment Income situation Conditions to set up and develop the business Opinion of current economic utilization of resources?


Travelling handouts : Travelling handouts Participant use for data collection – discussions and their own observations, cameras Results are elaborated into the Power Point Presentation. Have a very nice and enjoyable time!!!