Networks of university students: exploring the links between settlementsusing network research

Abstract

The paper of networks in geography spans over half a century and is increasingly recognized as a valuable method for analyzing spatial structures and their changes. By
applying a network approach, relationships between settlements can be quantified and
described in terms of nodes and their interconnecting links. This research provides an
empirical example of how the network approach can be used to map connections between
settlements: It focuses on university students’ educational choices and consumption-related movements to characterize inter-settlement networks. The study is based on data
from university students in Szombathely, allowing for an analysis of the role of the nearby
Austrian border.
The results show that while the border’s influence is detectable, the connections extend beyond national boundaries. Austrian municipalities are integrated into the network
in terms of education, consumption, and service use. Recreational links, however, are
more focused within the country, with large cities and settlements around Lake Balaton
serving as the primary recreational destinations for students