3.1. Analysis of the urbanization process, the settlement structure, and the use of energy and energy efficiency in the West-Transdanubium Region

Project manager: Dr. Tamás Csapó
In executing the first stage of our research program we drafted the research strategy defined our goals, set the timetable, and started the acquisition of the necessary resources (reports, articles, monographs and statistical data).
Based on the already available resources we investigated the following problem: Are there any measurable differences between the modern urbanization processes which are effective on the nationwide and on the regional scale regarding the length, the character and intensity of the desurbanisation phase? Our preliminary results indicate that there are regional differences; however these are very small, they provide only minor corrections to the nationwide trends. The reason behind the differences is found in the special settlement conformation of this region (dense small-village conformation), and in the particular location of the research area which is near the Austrian border. Based on these facts our opinion is that the agglomeration processes are more effective in the West-Transdanubium region, especially in the vicinage of Győr and Szombathely. In addition, there are indications that the economic influence of Sopron and Szombathely is getting stronger on Burgenland, it seems that these towns are getting back their pre-Trianon hinterlands in the North- and Middle-Burgenland region.

3.2. The social challenges of the global climate change

Project manager: Dr. Ferenc Jankó
A work group operating under the subprogram at the Faculty of Economics is analyzing the social challenges induced by climate change; their goal is to find political and social answers to the emerging problems. The work group is applying techniques of social science and human geography, in which they are collaborating with the 3.1 subprogram, and their preliminary result indicate that the social dialogue concerning the climate change has been distorted, which makes it more difficult to cope with the challenges of climate change and other global environmental problems.

PhD students supported by the project: Norbert Móricz and Judit Papp Vancsó