Peripheral areas and their distinctive characteristics: The case of Hungary

Abstract

The delimitation and classification of peripheral settlements using multivariate statistical methods is presented in this article, with a case study of Hungary. A combination of four different methods provided the basis for the delimitation of settlements defined as peripheral. As significant overlapping was detected between the results of the different methods, peripheries – more than one-fifth of the Hungarian settlements – were identified in a common set of the results. The independence of the results from the applied methods points to the fact that peripherisation is multi-faceted, and the peripheries of Hungary are stable and well-discernible from other regions. After the identification of peripheral areas, we classified these settlements into groups based on their specific features. Multiple steps specifying the relevant variables resulted in selecting the most appropriate 10 indicators and these served as the basis for a hierarchical cluster analysis, through which 7 clusters (types of peripheries) were identified. Five of them comprised enough cases to detect the most important dimensions and specific features of the backwardness of these groups. These clusters demonstrated a spatial pattern and their socioeconomic and infrastructural features highlighted considerable disparities. These differences should be taken into consideration when development policies are applied at regional levels or below.

Regeneration of Post-Agricultural Brownfield for Social Care Needs in Rural Community: Is There Any Transferable Experience?

“…[ 34 ] ascertained that in rural regions of the Czech Republic post-agricultural brownfields have been mostly regenerated for housing, but it is clearly visible that in peripheral rural locations regenerations for farming are more frequent. This finding is in line with the effects of the ongoing urban housing crisis [ 35 ] that affects the willingness of the population to move to the rural [ 36 ]. We know that municipalities tend to actively influence the re-use of brownfields in their territories [ 10 ] to ensure that the local needs are covered.…”

Szétfejlődés vagy útfüggőség? Trianon hatásai a fejlettség földrajzi különbségeire a történeti Esztergom és Komárom vármegyék területén.

“…Az olyan sokdimenziós jellemzők, mint a fejlettség mérése a területi kutatások módszertani eszköztárában kiemelt helyet foglal el (Nemes Nagy 2005). A sokdimenziós fejlettségi mutatókat a földrajzosok olyan kérdések tárgyalásában is segítségül hívták, mint amilyen az alacsony fejlettségű, periferikus területek lehatárolása, illetve a módszer használhatósága a fejlesztéspolitikában (Jeney, Varga 2016;Pénzes, Demeter 2021). A fejlettséget kifejező komplex muta tók közül komolyabb gyelmet kapott az emberi jólét dimenzióit tömörítő HDI (Human Development Index, amely az egészség, a műveltség, valamint a jövedelem mérésére fókuszál), és az ennek mintájára létrehozott mutatószámok használata.…”

Efforts and Barriers Shifting a City Region Towards Circular Transition – Lessons from a Living Lab from Pécs, Hungary

“…Pécs and its peri-urban area are situated in the southwestern part of Hungary in Baranya County, one of the most peripheral regions in the country (Pénzes & Demeter, 2021). With a population of around 150,000, the city is the fifth largest in Hungary.…”