Discussion Papers 1999.
Spatial Research in Support of the European Integration 11-12. p.
11
PREFACE
It is now 25 years since, thanks to the co-operation of the two Academies of
Sciences, Polish and Hungarian geographers began to regularly meet to present their
research findings and to learn more of one other's countries. The tradition of bilateral
seminars on selected topics was instigated in Hungary by the Geographical Research
Institute (Budapest) and later continued by the Centre for Regional Studies (Pecs),
while Poland is represented by the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization
(Warsaw). On the occasion of this anniversary, it is worth looking back on the years
which saw such successful conferences:
1 Szymbark, Poland (1973)
2 Budapest, Hungary (1975)
3 Bozsok, Hungary (1978): "Rural transformation in Hungary and Poland"
4 Goldap, Poland (1980): "Development of rural areas"
5 Pecs, Hungary (1985): "Environmental control and policy"
6 Stare Pole, Poland (1986): "Spatial organization and regional development"
7 Kecskemet, Hungary (1990): "Spatial research and the social-political
changes"
8 Zielona Gora, Poland (1992): "Some new aspects of regional planning in
Poland and Hungary"
9 Visegrad, Hungary (1994): "Macro- and micro-level processes in regional
development"
10 SupraM, Poland (1996): "Selected problems in transformation of spatial
economy in Hungary and Poland"
The Seminar held in September 1998 was the 11th of its kind. We found a truly
beautiful setting for the conference: the holiday home of the Hungarian Academy of
Sciences in the Matra Mountains, in Northern Hungary. The three days of intensive
sessions, in accordance with the 'genius loci', were followed by wine-tasting in Eger
and a one-day study trip to the nearby Biikk Mountains. Our volume contains the
papers which were presented in Matrahaza.
It is not only the tradition of mutual understanding and affection between these
nations that connect Poland and Hungary, but historical similarities as well. Both
countries occupy a special place in Europe: they are caught between East and West.
These two parts of the continent differ not only in geographical co-ordinates, but also in
their social development. Most of the common characteristics of our countries derive
from the fact that since the establishment of their respective kingdoms, they have been
affected by "eastern" and "western" elements, too. In other words, Poland as well as
Hungary had historical periods when, in a social sense, they belonged to the western
zone of Eastern Europe while at other times they were attached to the eastern belt of
Duró, Annamária : Preface
In: Spatial Research in Support of the European Integration. Pécs, Centre for Regional Studies,
1999. 11-12. p. Discussion Papers. Special
12
Western Europe. Nowadays we have once again arrived at a historical turning-point:
owing to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the "Eastern Bloc" there is no forced
political membership of the East any longer, and the prospect of joining the European
Union in the near future allows us to draw closer to the West. Thus it is the current task
of our researchers in all fields to evaluate the present situation within the context of our
preparation for this integration. This publication highlights the regional aspects.
Though metodology as well as the scope of the next twelve analyses is rather differ-
ent, we have attempted to arrange them so as to facilitate comparison of results. The
key papers focus on the effects of the 1996 Hungarian Regional Development Act and
on the newly-introduced administrative division of Poland. The common problems of
transport and migration link the following two studies, both written by Polish
researchers. On the topic of the elements which differentiate the Hungarian settle-
ment network, the role of the banking system and the first results of a factorial analysis
are presented here. Thanks to our enterprising colleagues, we are subsequently able to
provide an introduction to electoral geography in both countries. Polish agriculture is
analysed from the perspective of the changing spatial and ownership structures, while
Hungarian countryside is represented by studies on second homes and on small region
development strategies.
Though English is our common language, translation not always can retain the
flavour of the original terms. From among the names of great historical regions, as
enclosed within current national boundaries, only those have been translated whose
English versions are widely-known. This applies to names such as Transdanubia
(Duncintal), Northern Hungary (Eszak-Magyarorszag) or the Great Plain (Alfeild) in
Hungary, and Silesia (Slcisk), Pomerania (Pomorze), Mazuria (Maztay) or Mazovia
(Mazowsze) in Poland. Whereas the others, such as Wielkopolska (`Polonia Maior'),
Malopolska (`Polonia Minor') or Kujawy we preferred to write in their original forms.
Concerning the administrative units of our days, the 19 Hungarian counties (megye)
are referred to by their traditional names, while the previous 49 Polish voivodships
(wojewodztwo), the system of which was in force between 1975-1998, were named after
their centres. The new administrative division has changed this situation, since each of
the 16 new voivodships regained the historical name of the given part of the country.
Polish and Hungarian settlements, except for Warsaw and Cracow, are also written in
their original forms.
It was my great pleasure to take part in the preparations for the conference, to
accompany our Polish guests during their stay in Hungary and to take care of this col-
lection of studies. Together with my colleagues we hope that the diverse nature of our
volume will appeal not only to Polish and Hungarian geographers, but also to all those
interested in the present situation and the future perspectives of East-Central Europe.
Kecskemet, 20 April 1999
Annamaria Duro
editor