Significance of functional organization of settlements for development of primary rural settlements in the City of Zaječar

Vladimir Popović

doi:10.5937/zbdght2001070p

Abstract

The aim of this paper is determination of the City of Zajecar settlements' functional organization characteristics significant for development of primary rural settlements on this territory. The paper examines truthfulness of a hypothesis that in conditions of extreme monocentrism, i.e. dominance of urban centre, development of primary rural settlements is in direct negative correlation with isochronous distance from the urban center. Secondary hypothesis is an assertion that primary rural settlements functionally connected to centers of communities of settlements as dispersly located micro-development centers are characterized by significantly more favorable development compared to settlements functionally connected to local rural centers or directly to the urban center. Methodologically, the paper is based on the comparison of development characteristic of primary rural settlements relative to their isochronous distance from the urban center and functional connections to higher rank settlements in the functional hierarchy. Selection of indicators was made in order of comprehensive representation of the most significant demographical and economical processes in these settlements caused by their geographical and functional positions. Perception of the significance of the isochronous distance from the urban center was made using Pearson correlation coefficient, and the method of comparison was used for the functional connections. The significance of this paper is in contribution to the insight of applicability of decentralized concentration concept on local territorial level in conditions of extreme monocentrism, i.e. dichotomy on relation rural-urban.

Highlights

Functional organization of settlements of a particular area implies establishment of their functional hierarchy in accordance with existing or planned concentration of public services in them, as well as defining gravitation areas of central settlements established in that way
Pearson correlation coefficient was applied in order to determine correlation between isochronous distance of the examined settlements from the urban center and values of the development indicators
Functional organization of settlements is an obligatory part of planning solutions in local self-government units spatial plans

Summary

Introduction

Functional organization of settlements of a particular area implies establishment of their functional hierarchy in accordance with existing or planned concentration of public services in them, as well as defining gravitation areas of central settlements established in that way It is based on impossibility of equal and complete equipment of all settlements with necessary public services that enable quality life in them. Centrality of settlements as a measure of their spatial significance is based on these postulates It is determined just by degree of equipment with public services, infrastructural accessibility, concentration of inhabitants and services and volume of daily circulation (Drobnjaković, 2019). He guided himself by a principle that centrality is in the nature of organization of the space and human society He defined it as the significance of one settlement in the development and concentration of functions intendend for population of other settlements (Tošić, 2012). Model of decentralized concentration as a newer term related to functional organization is based right on these principles, i.e. decentralization by polycentric system of settlements organization and creating a hierarchically homogenous system of centers (Tošić, 2011)

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