Perceptions of marginality: The role of administration and other stakeholders in issues of future development of Czech military training areas

Abstract

Serious problems are becoming evident after 20 years of liberalization concerning the development of Czech military training areas (MTAs) and, in particular in their neighbouring zones. An important task is to devise procedures that emphasize essential conditions for me successful spatial and social integration of mese marginal areas in the Czech regional system. The contemporary research presented is based on primary research of an area of special interest in the context of a situation analysis and specification of the role of local inhabitants of the military training area regarding issues of its functional use. The presented article analyzes the regional development intentions of the different hierarchical levels of board/administration (municipal, micro-regional, regional and departmental/governmental), concerning the role of an MTA in the regional system - in the case of MTA Boletice, this study's area of interest. The qualitative research presented is based on the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of primary data, procured through structured interviews and questionnaires carried out with representatives of local administration at various hierarchical levels. The attitudes of the primary stakeholders interested in the decommitment/conversion of MTAs are mainly concerned with investment benefits and project development locations rather than environmental protection legislation.