MICHÁLEK, Anton** – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján. Economic Growth, Inequality and Poverty in the EU. In Social Indicators Research, 2019, vol. 141, no. 2, p. 611-630. (2018: 1.703 – IF, Q2 – JCR, 0.881 – SJR, Q1 – SJR, karentované – CCC). (2019 – Current Contents, WOS, Scopus). ISSN 0303-8300. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-018-1858-7 

The article examines the interplay between economic growth, income inequality, and poverty rates across the 28 European Union member states during 2005–2015. Utilizing the Poverty-Growth-Inequality (PGI) Triangle model and the Growth Incidence Curve, the study finds that while economic growth generally correlates with poverty reduction, rising income inequality can counteract this effect, leading to increased poverty levels. EU countries were classified into four categories based on their economic and social development patterns, with Greece identified as a unique case due to its distinct (negative) economic challenges. The research highlights significant disparities among EU nations in managing global economic challenges, such as the financial crisis, noting that stronger economies are better equipped to mitigate issues related to inequality and poverty during such periods.

MICHÁLEK, Anton – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – BILKOVÁ, Kristína – PODOLÁK, Peter. Príjmové nerovnosti a ich prejavy v regiónoch Slovenska = Income inequality and their effects in regions of Slovakia. Rec. J. Kunc, D. Gerbery, F. Križan. Bratislava : Veda, 2020. 168 s. ISBN 978-80-224-1820-1

This book explores income inequalities across different regions of Slovakia and Europe, discussing regional disparities, socioeconomic impacts, and their relation to other socioeconomic aspects of the society. The regional analysis of income inequalities revealed that Slovakia is heavily dominated by low-income regions, which comprise more than half of the regions surveyed. An important finding is that income can be considered an extremely important determinant of migration. The regional classification of the level of human development confirmed the often-identified significant differentiation between regions in Slovakia's western and eastern (south-eastern) parts.

VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – MICHÁLEK, Anton. Priestorová dimenzia príjmových nerovností: teória, koncepty a metódy = Spatial dimension of income inequality: theories, concepts and methods. In Geografický časopis, 2020, roč. 72, č. 2, s. 107-129. (2019: 0.221 – SJR, Q3 – SJR). (2020 – SCOPUS, WOS). ISSN 0016-7193. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31577/geogrcas.2020.72.2.06 

This article focuses on the spatial aspects of income inequality, discussing theories and concepts to analyse how income disparities vary across geographical regions within Slovakia. The study reviews a wide spectrum of income inequality measuring methods with the help of which the knowledge of the most important aspects of income inequalities might be obtained. A scale of presented methods provides a needed methodological instrument by which one can catch, identify, and obtain knowledge about the current state and level of income inequalities.

VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – ŠTEFKOVIČOVÁ, Pavla. Housing affordability, quality of life, and residential satisfaction in the Austrian cross-border suburban region of Bratislava, Slovakia. In Moravian Geographical Reports, 2023, vol. 31, no. 1, p. 2-13. (2022: 2.5 – IF, Q2 – JCR, 0.52 – SJR, Q2 – SJR). ISSN 2199–6202. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2023-0001

This paper examines housing affordability, quality of life, and residential satisfaction in the cross-border suburban region of Bratislava, focusing on the impact of these factors on residents. We assumed that many of the population had moved to the cross-border suburbs of Bratislava specifically for a higher quality of life (residential satisfaction) and more affordable housing. Indeed, these were among the most common reasons for moving, with many respondents choosing at least one.

ŠVEDA, Martin – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – GURŇÁK, Daniel. Cesta (z) mesta : Atlas suburbanizácie Bratislavy = Way (out) of Town : Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanization. Rec. L. Novotný, V. Bačík. 2. vyd. Bratislava : N Press, s. r. o., 2024. 144 s. ISBN 978-80-8230-248-9

This atlas provides an in-depth analysis and mapping of suburbanisation patterns in the Bratislava hinterland, highlighting trends, demographic shifts, and regional urban expansion. It presents this process from different perspectives through 45 themes treated as maps, graphs and supplementary text. The in-migration of tens of thousands of new residents has brought about a whole series of changes, and the formerly quiet suburban villages are gradually becoming fast-growing "suburbs" with a specific type of development, social structure or patterns of long-term and daily migration. In addition to the original content, the spatial data's innovative visual presentation is particularly noteworthy. 

MICHÁLEK, Anton – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – BILKOVÁ, Kristína – PODOLÁK, Peter. Príjmové nerovnosti a ich prejavy v regiónoch Slovenska = Income inequality and their effects in regions of Slovakia. Rec. J. Kunc, D. Gerbery, F. Križan. Bratislava : Veda, 2020. 168 s. ISBN 978-80-224-1820-1

This book explores income inequalities across different regions of Slovakia and Europe, discussing regional disparities, socioeconomic impacts, and their relation to other socioeconomic aspects of the society. The regional analysis of income inequalities revealed that Slovakia is heavily dominated by low-income regions, which comprise more than half of the regions surveyed. An important finding is that income can be considered an extremely important determinant of migration. The regional classification of the level of human development confirmed the often-identified significant differentiation between regions in Slovakia's western and eastern (south-eastern) parts.

VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – MICHÁLEK, Anton. Priestorová dimenzia príjmových nerovností: teória, koncepty a metódy = Spatial dimension of income inequality: theories, concepts and methods. In Geografický časopis, 2020, roč. 72, č. 2, s. 107-129. (2019: 0.221 – SJR, Q3 – SJR). (2020 – SCOPUS, WOS). ISSN 0016-7193. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31577/geogrcas.2020.72.2.06 

This article focuses on the spatial aspects of income inequality, discussing theories and concepts to analyse how income disparities vary across geographical regions within Slovakia. The study reviews a wide spectrum of income inequality measuring methods with the help of which the knowledge of the most important aspects of income inequalities might be obtained. A scale of presented methods provides a needed methodological instrument by which one can catch, identify, and obtain knowledge about the current state and level of income inequalities.

VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – ŠTEFKOVIČOVÁ, Pavla. Housing affordability, quality of life, and residential satisfaction in the Austrian cross-border suburban region of Bratislava, Slovakia. In Moravian Geographical Reports, 2023, vol. 31, no. 1, p. 2-13. (2022: 2.5 – IF, Q2 – JCR, 0.52 – SJR, Q2 – SJR). ISSN 2199–6202. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2023-0001

This paper examines housing affordability, quality of life, and residential satisfaction in the cross-border suburban region of Bratislava, focusing on the impact of these factors on residents. We assumed that many of the population had moved to the cross-border suburbs of Bratislava specifically for a higher quality of life (residential satisfaction) and more affordable housing. Indeed, these were among the most common reasons for moving, with many respondents choosing at least one.

ŠVEDA, Martin – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján – GURŇÁK, Daniel. Cesta (z) mesta : Atlas suburbanizácie Bratislavy = Way (out) of Town : Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanization. Rec. L. Novotný, V. Bačík. 2. vyd. Bratislava : N Press, s. r. o., 2024. 144 s. ISBN 978-80-8230-248-9

This atlas provides an in-depth analysis and mapping of suburbanisation patterns in the Bratislava hinterland, highlighting trends, demographic shifts, and regional urban expansion. It presents this process from different perspectives through 45 themes treated as maps, graphs and supplementary text. The in-migration of tens of thousands of new residents has brought about a whole series of changes, and the formerly quiet suburban villages are gradually becoming fast-growing "suburbs" with a specific type of development, social structure or patterns of long-term and daily migration. In addition to the original content, the spatial data's innovative visual presentation is particularly noteworthy. 

ŠVEDA, Martin – HURBÁNEK, Pavol – SLÁDEKOVÁ MADAJOVÁ, Michala – ROSINA, Konštantín – FÖRSTL, Filip – ZÁBOJ, Petr – VÝBOŠŤOK, Ján. When spatial interpolation matters: Seeking an appropriate data transformation from the mobile network for population estimates. In Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 2024, vol. 110, art. no. 102106. (2022: 6.8 – JCR, Q1 – JCR). ISSN 0198-9715. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2024.102106 

This article discusses the importance of spatial interpolation techniques in transforming mobile network data into reliable population estimates, addressing methodological challenges and implications for urban planning and analysis. Using an appropriate method of interpolation is crucial in mobile network data analysis. Ten different methods of data transformation from the mobile network topology were tested. The most promising results were obtained using auxiliary information. Dasymetric interpolation utilising building volume proved to be the most accurate method.

The growth and deepening of inequalities in Slovakia and their impact on the polarisation of human development in the regions (VEGA 2/0009/18)

In the analysis of EU countries, it has been confirmed that economic growth positively affects (reduces) the poverty rate, while the growth of income inequality increases it. The results confirmed the existence of common systemic/developmental patterns valid for the identified types of countries. Four regional poverty types were identified in Slovakia. We have developed a generally valid conceptual and methodological framework that can be applied in other countries. Regional analysis of income inequalities revealed that Slovakia is heavily dominated by low-income regions, which comprise more than half of the regions studied. A new finding is that income is one of the most critical factors in the differentiated level of suburbanisation. The most important outcome is the “Income inequality and its effects in regions of Slovakia” monograph; 9 chapters in other monographs and publications in peer-reviewed journals were also published (3x Q1, 2x Q2, 2x Q3).

Suburbanisation - development and impacts on socio-spatial structure in Bratislava hinterland (APVV-16-0462)

As part of the project, we published four thematic scientific monographs, “Suburbanisation: how is Bratislava’s hinterland changing?”, “Suburbanisation 2: probes into the transformations of Bratislava’s hinterland”, “Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanisation”, and “Suburbanization in Slovakia: Developmental Changes and Socio-spatial Impacts”, several working papers, and other publications in peer-reviewed journals (1x Q1, 4x Q2, 4x Q3). By applying a wide range of innovative geospatial research methods, outputs were obtained to identify the main features of Bratislava’s suburbanisation. The complexity of the process under study has been captured unprecedentedly. The analysis of a wide range of specific data layers (from standard statistics to satellite imagery to cell phone location data) and sophisticated procedures for their processing and analyses made it possible to identify the extent of the observed process and its dynamics in time and intensity in space. Impacts on landscape changes, migration characteristics, demographic processes and structures, transport and retail infrastructure, income inequalities, housing affordability, and commuting to work were analysed. Mayors, local politicians, representatives of spatial planning and settlement development institutions, developers, etc., have expressed interest in the research results.

Mapping population distribution and mobility in Slovakia using mobile network data (APVV-20-0586)

Location data is now integral to our daily lives, recorded and stored in various ways. We leave traces online, record purchases in stores, and provide approximate locations through cell phones. This data helps us understand societal functions through spatial patterns, though challenges remain in processing and understanding 'big' data. Geography can advance this field using analytical methods from natural and social sciences and considering physical and social contexts. Two peer-reviewed articles (both in the first decile) and two monographs, "Using Mobile Network Location Data in Spatial Analyses" and a revised "Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanisation". Data acquisition and processing took almost two years for security, management and analysis reasons. The primary achievement is a developed methodology to interpolate data from BTS signalling towers to spatial units, showing a strong correlation with 2021 census data on population size and distribution. This methodology, applicable in any country with adequate signalling towers, was used by project investigators in cooperation with state analysts to propose new administrative regions for Slovakia as part of a public administration reform. However, the new division has not been approved, facing political opposition.

Suburbanisation: community, identity and everydayness (APVV-20-0432)

So far, the most significant output of the project is the monograph Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanisation (updated and extended second edition: Way (out) of Town: Atlas of Bratislava Suburbanisation), publications in peer-reviewed journals were also published (1x Q1, 3x Q2, 4x Q3, 2x Q4). Suburbanisation represents one of the most dynamic socio-spatial transformation processes in Slovakia's modern history. The arrival of tens of thousands of new residents has brought about a whole series of changes, and formerly quiet suburban villages are gradually becoming fast-growing "suburbs" with a specific type of development, social structure or patterns of long-term and daily migration. The Atlas presents this process from different perspectives through 50 thematic areas visualised in maps, graphs and supplementary text. In addition to the original content, the spatial data's innovative visual demonstration is particularly noteworthy. The project investigators were approached by the Bratislava City Museum for cooperation, based on which an exhibition entitled "Way (out) of Town" was created and presented in 2023, focusing on the phenomenon of suburbanisation in the hinterland of Bratislava in the form of interactive and static visuals. The exhibition was not an official part of the project, but the results of the projects APVV-20-0432 and APVV-16-0462 were presented.

Nurseries and kindergartens for everyone? Insights into pre-school education in Slovakia from the perspectives of spatial accessibility and social justice (APVV-21-0286)

The first analyses have been carried out in the form of a retrospective analysis of preschool facilities (for the last 20 years and another article studying the socialist era after World War II until 1989) in Slovakia concerning demographic development, analysis of the development of the legislative framework on compulsory pre-primary education, characterisation of the current situation in the field of pre-primary education, but primarily work on the creation of a database of all preschool facilities in Slovakia, not only those included in the Network of Schools and School Facilities. Another analysis aimed at the preschool attainment rates in Slovak regions and municipalities. The results showed vast regional differences in attainment levels. The investigators conducted other analyses concerning social and spatial justice in daily commutes in peer-reviewed journals. Using cluster and factor analyses on many variables (such as income, public finances, and kindergarten capacities), they have classified Slovak municipalities into several types based on the conditions for kindergarten development.