Professor Aleksandar Valjarević from the University of Belgrade Delivered a Scientific Seminar

On 28 October 2026, the Department of Physical and Economic Geography at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University hosted a scientific seminar featuring Professor Aleksandar Valjarević, PhD, from the Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Serbia.

Professor Valjarević delivered a presentation entitled “From Ecological Equilibrium to Isolated Tourism: A GIS–EEI Framework for Screening Remote Tourism Potential in Serbia.”

The seminar focused on assessing environmental conditions and identifying opportunities for low-impact tourism development using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing data. The professor presented approaches to calculating the Ecological Equilibrium Index (EEI) and spatial analysis methods incorporating land cover, river networks, anthropogenic pressure, and accessibility to tourism infrastructure.

Using examples from Serbia, including the Tara–Drina, Uvac–Zlatar, and Stara Planina regions, the presentation explored approaches to developing sustainable tourism while maintaining ecological balance. Particular attention was given to natural resource protection, managing visitor pressure, and considering the interests of local communities.

The seminar focused on exchanging experience in the application of GIS technologies to geographical research and discussing how environmental assessment results can support spatial planning and sustainable tourism development.