A SZUBURBANIZÁCIÓ ÉS A DEZURBANIZÁCIÓ FOLYAMATAI MAGYARORSZÁGON AZ ÉRINTETT TELEPÜLÉSEK ÖNKORMÁNYZATAINAK SZEMSZÖGÉBŐL

Abstract

After 1990 suburbanization has become the most important process in the migration trends of Hungary. As a result of which the population of the large and medium-sized towns began to decline, while villages around Budapest and other large towns have increased their population. Beside suburban regions population growth can be seen in some rural areas (especially in touristic areas, e. g. Lake Balaton), implying the presence of desurban processes. Since 2005 the dynamics of suburbanization and desurbanization have slowed down, in the same time the population of metropolitan regions has been increasing.

The aim of this study is to compare suburban and desurban processes in Hungary. In order to reveal differences between the two phenomena we applied empirical data based on surveys of local governments. All the increasing-population settlements (518) with migration benefit were included in our survey. Our questionnaire contains three main issues: migration trends, deconcentration of investments and services, and the role of the local governments in the coordination of migration.

Our results supported the existence of differences between the abovementioned phenomena. Although in both cases population increases, in the suburban regions the extent of changes concerning investments and services is more significant.

In present study we have also investigated periurban region around Budapest. This transitional area is characterized by features of suburban and desurban regions. As result of its special location it is affected by the spill over of suburbanization and desurban process as well.