Spatial organization of the settlement network of the municipality of Cacak and tendencies of its development

Abstract

The balanced and sustainable development of the functional area of Cacak is a precondition for greater integration of geospace. Based on the fact that settlements are the most striking elements of the cultural landscape and they are the holders of the functional organization and spatial transformation of geospace, there will be a special emphasis placed on the networking of these settlements and the analysis of its determinants. Both demographic and socioeconomic indicators were analyzed in order to determine the dominant spatial and functional processes occurring in the area that relate to the development of the municipality. Emphasis is placed on the changes in the type of population movement, functional transformation of the settlements, and changes in the level of social geographic transformation of settlements. Analysis of the demographic and socio-economic indicators showed that the settlement network of Cacak is, to a large extent, incoherent. Socio-geographic and functional transformation of settlements is articulated and directed entirely from the municipal center, and consequently the most affected settlements of periurban zone of Cacak and settlements along major roads. Adjusting to the modern development processes requires new spatial-functional relations at the municipality level in order to strengthen territorial cohesion and equal conditions of life.