Longitudinalna analiza funkcijske transformacije i demografskih promena u malim gradovima u Srbiji

Glavni sadržaj članka

Vlasta Kokotovic Kanazir
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8730-1150
Marija Drobnjaković
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1766-241X
Milena Panić
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6316-7153

Apstrakt

This paper examines the interrelation between functional transformation and demographic change in small towns in Serbia, focusing on temporal and spatial disparities and uneven development trajectories. Small towns are identified according to Eurostat methodology and its adaptation for Serbia (Degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA) level 2). The analysis adopts a longitudinal perspective spanning four decades, based on the Census data for three selected years: 1981, the peak of industrial development; 2002, marking industrial collapse and transition; and 2022, which illustrates the current state. Functional transformation is explored through thenar diagrams, which capture employment shifts across the main economy’s sectors, harmonized and categorized in line with the official Classification of Activities. Results revealed a significant correlation between functional shifts and demographic trends, as well as the fact that functional transformation does not lead to uniform demographic outcomes across the small towns, but rather produces divergent development trajectories. Negative functional shifts associated with severe demographic decline are common for the small towns with a strong orientation toward the industry sector. Also, some of the small towns that faced a significant shift to the service economy experienced a pronounced demographic decline. Conversely, some towns demonstrate positive adjustment by restructuring their economies towards specific service activities and redefining their roles in the local development and settlements network. The findings challenge the assumption that tertiarization represents a sustainable development path for small towns. By linking long-term demographic change with functional restructuring, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of small-town development in post-socialist contexts.

Puni tekst članka je dostupan za ovaj lokalitet: English.

Detalji članka

Kako citirati
Kokotovic Kanazir, V., Drobnjaković, M., & Panić, M. (2026). Longitudinalna analiza funkcijske transformacije i demografskih promena u malim gradovima u Srbiji. Stanovništvo. https://doi.org/10.59954/stnv.767
Broj časopisa
Sekcija
Tematska sekcija: demografski izazovi i ekonomski razvoj
Biografije autora

Marija Drobnjaković, Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA, Belgrade, Serbia

Marija Drobnjakovic is PhD in Geoscience, Ms Spatial planner,
Expertise is focused on rural studies, geography of settlements, and spatial planning.
She is Senior Research Associate, head of the Spatial Planning Department at the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijić" SASA.

Milena Panić, Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” SASA, Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Milena Panić
Research Associate
Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Djure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Area of interest
spatial planning, regional development, waste management, natural disaster management, social vulnerability to natural hazards, natural disasters and education.

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