Socio-geographic transformation of Mostarsko Blato

Abstract

This paper analyzes the process of socio-geographic transformation of rural settlements in Mostarsko Blato, karst polje in the Neretva River drainage area. Many changes in spatial organization and landscape have been determined by deagrarization and deruralization, which had been, on the other hand, influenced by various geographic factors: neighboring towns, inadequate infrastructure, profound changes in job offers related to the problems of economic development at the end of socialist period and in transitional period, and particularly by Serbian aggression on Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite numerous problems, socio-economic development of Mostarsko Blato is possible due to natural and human resources. Its development should be based on organic farming, and on development of different types of tourism (ecologic, rural, camping, fishing and summer tourism).