Sport in the urban landscape of Zagreb and Split

Abstract

This paper examines sports, cultural, historical, and urban geography to analyse hodonyms (names of streets and squares) and ergonyms (names of hospitality establishments) located in the proximity of sports centres. The research examines whether there is a link between the hodonyms and ergonyms associated with sports and the location of sports facilities. The starting point of this research was the assumption that spatial proximity influences the motivation for naming streets, squares, and hospitality establishments. Accordingly, this paper approaches the concept of sports in the urban landscape from a spatial aspect. Case studies were conducted in the two largest cities of the Republic of Croatia: the capital city Zagreb, and Split. The main methodological approach used in the analysis of data was statistical and interpretative. The research showed that there is a degree of association between hodonyms and ergonyms and the location of sports facilities. Sports transform and shape the urban landscape, not only the sports landscape (in the form of infrastructure), but also other parts of the city.