Analyses of new artificial surfaces in the catchment area of 12 Hungarian middle-sized towns between 1990 and 2018

Abstract

Although several research studies have been published on post-socialist urban development in Hungary and also in the Central European region from various aspects and in different time frames, an overview about the different categories of new artificial land uses in the case of second-tier towns has not appeared yet. Based on the Corine Land Cover Inventory, Land Use Changes (CLC CHA) database (1990–2018), this paper is to fill this gap by analysing 12 Hungarian Functional Urban Areas (FUA). The first results highlight the importance of structural changes and regional differences of Hungarian urban sprawl, and also identify reasons for the different development patterns and clusters. The study presents the regions affected by the emerging artificial surfaces. It shows the later industrialisation of eastern towns, the intensive growth of urban living areas between 1990 and 2006, the dominance of motorway constructions and the marginal role of new urban green areas in the urban sprawl. The impact of post-socialist policy and regulation (protection, land use plans, housing policy) and of EU funds is also discussed.