MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE OF ONGA

Abstract

During the investigation of the morphology of Onga it has been proved that the morphology of the settlement has well adapted to the social and economic challenges in the past two centuries. Until the 1950s it hardly showed any difference from similar settlements. The preconditions of the present dual morphology can be found in the rapid changes of the past half-century, as a result both the former agglomeration and the suburbanization processes of the past few decades can be detected. One of the results of the processes is the emergence of significant spatial differences within the settlement, where the main dividing line is marked by the Bársonyos stream and the railway. The Old village of Onga provides better services, infrastructure and public institutions, nevertheless it is characterized by an aging population, the need for social security, lower income levels, and less equipped houses built 50 or 100 years ago. The residents of the New village of Onga work in Miskolc, this part of the village is characterized by almost full employment, higher income levels (in the local slang it is called ‘Rose Hill’), young population structure, and well-equipped, modern houses built 10-30 years ago. Despite the divided morphology, Onga applied for city status successfully, as a result the Hungarian president gave city status (not without merit) to the village on July 15, 2013.