engleski

The Transformation of the Rural Landscape in Croatia - The Example of a Traditional Rural Region of Hrvatsko zagorje

Urbanization in the last 30 years caused significant changes in the landscapes in Croatia. The process particularly took place in the rural areas in the vicinity of cities, such as the traditional rural area of Hrvatsko zagorje, near Croatia’ s capital Zagreb. Once predominantly rural region, Hrvatsko zagorje lost its primary characteristics and developed more complex economic structure based on non-agricultural activities. One can distinguish several phases of the transformation of rural landscapes in Hrvatsko zagorje. The phases were determined on the basis of some quantitative and qualitative indicators such as the distribution of population and activities, physiognomic and functional transformation of rural settlements as well as land use changes. The emphasis is on the last phase that began during late 1990-es in which the characteristic spatial structures were formed. The most intensive transformation occurred on the agriculturally most unfavourable land due to the betterment of the transport accessibility, low land prices and a lot of space for further expansion. Hence, the hot spots of dynamic landscape development can be recognized as opposed to the agriculturally favourable parts that did not experience such intensive transformation.

Croatia; Hrvatsko zagorje; urbanization; rural landscape transformation

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