The function of county seats and transport connections as factors of attractiveness of main urban centres of Croatia

Abstract

This paper analyses changes in the radius of influence of the most important Croatian cities in relation to the situation before 1992 and estimates how it could affect possible change of territorial organization. The decline of the population in most cities in the last twenty years and improvement of their transport accessibility are highlighted as particularly important processes that affect the growth or decline in their attractiveness. For the purpose of determination of the attractive power of cities, changes in the territorial organization of the judicial power, health care and education at university level were analysed, as well as some specific indicators, such as spatial distribution of large shopping malls and multiplex cinemas. Based on research, it is concluded that the existing administrative-territorial structure of Croatia does not need a radical change in spite of certain shortcomings. Instead of that, it is necessary to establish economic and statistical regions without administrative authority, especially in areas around large urban agglomerations.