Abstrakt
The article focuses on second home owners and users as significant agents in the research on the transformations of Czech countryside. Secondary data indicate a high number of second homes with a heterogeneous location pattern in the landscape.
Primary data, based on field surveys, in-depth interviews and observations, show the impact of second home tourism on the local environment. The second home tourism is considered to be an element of the lifestyle of predominantly urban population which however has a strong influence on rural life.
Thus, the research on the relations within both urban and rural communities sharing the transforming space seems crucial for future rural development. The models of conflicts, coexistence and cooperation are investigated in selected peripheral areas in Czechia.
The paper also provides theoretical background based on the concept of regional identity as well as detailed empirical results on the second home owners' and users' activities. The conclusion outlines possible future directions of research with focus on social capital, multiple dwelling and heterolocal identities and semi-migration concepts.