Classification of Rural Areas in Serbia: Framework and Implications for Spatial Planning

Abstract

The classification of rural and urban areas presents an important topic both in scientific research and in the practice of spatial planning, regional policy making, and territorial governance. Taking into account the multidimensionality of these areas, this paper aims to provide a classification framework design for rural areas in Serbia. After selecting the relevant indicators, which were included to reflect the main demographic, economic, and physio-geographical characteristics of the Serbian rural areas, multivariate analysis (principal component method and factor analysis) was used to determine the main factors in the delimitation and classification of rural and urban areas. The last step of the conducted methodology used cluster analysis (CA) that identified six types of areas with similar characteristics. The results of this study and applied methodology can improve the existing rural–urban classifications and help planners and policy makers in the adaptation of strategic development documents.

Considerations regarding a new settlement typology in Serbia

“…The research design represents an extension of the previous work of Pantić (2016), with the purpose of contextualizing the consideration of a trichotomous settlement typology within a broader theoretical and practical discussion. As Gajić et al (2021) notice, there is a need to introduce additional variables into settlement and area typologies, particularly those related to environmental and life quality. As a result, 32 parameters were analyzed and divided into eight diverse categories containing from one up to nine variables:…”

“…Besides their role in science, typologies have important practical applications, for example in the creation and application of development policies (Isserman, 2005;Drobnjaković, 2019). Scientifically grounded typologies help planners and decisionmakers to create measures that are as suitable as possible (Gajić et al, 2021).…”

“…In the case of Serbia, Živanović (2018) recommends a four-type typology, differentiating urban settlements, suburban settlements, rural centres and rural settlements. Although the analysis by Gajić et al (2018) recognizes five types of areas and Gajić et al (2021) identify six types of settlements, a four-type classification could be the right measure in balancing the actual varieties existing in the settlement system in Serbia and practical statistical reporting. However, this would create the problem of adapting such a typology to EUROSTAT requirements, which is a precondition for the reliable comparison of Serbia with other EU and accession countries.…”

“…If we want to count the world's rural population, we need to apply the same criteria for "rural" in each country. However, Pušić & Pajvančić Cizelj (2014) and Gajić et al (2021) state that villages or rural space in Serbia can only be compared with rural areas in the neighbouring countries, since they are vastly different from rural areas in the wider European context, for example in Germany, the Netherlands or Spain. The previously stated comparison between northern and southern Serbia also shows that when the criteria choice is simplified, it can lead to useless typology, even within the borders of a specific country (one reality).…”

How System of Settlements in Serbia Will Change? Geographic Determinants of Spatial-Functional Relationships of Urban and Rural Areas

“…The dominant areas of growth are the rural areas around Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Other rural areas are exposed to negative demographic tendencies, which are especially present in the mountainous and peripheral parts of eastern, southwestern and southern Serbia [4], [6].…”