Impact of changes in economic structure on the territorial and demographic growth of settlements in the post-socialist period, the example of Ni?avski Administrative District

摘要

This paper analyzes impact of the changed socio-political and economical conditions in post-socialist period, to spatial, demographic and functional transformation of settlements in the case of Ni?avski Administrative District. Based on census data and data from the current planning documents, a comparative analysis of interdependence between land use and demographic trends by the type of settlements is conducted in order to examine the extent to which modern principles of sustainability and urban sprawl control had been implemented. Considering that development takes place under the influence of multitude of factors changes in the economic structure were also analyzed. In the theoretical part of paper, the origin and development of the idea for restriction of urban sprawl was presented, along with an overview of the most important provisions of international conventions.