Eötvös Loránd University Doctorate School of Earth

Eötvös Loránd UniversityDoctorate School of Earth Sciences

Geography-Meteorology Doctorate Programme

ZSUZSANNA VÁRADI

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUDAPEST AND ITS AGGLOMERATION – DETERMINING FACTORS AND REGIONAL

CONFLICTS

PhD. Theses

SUPERVISOR:DR. HABIL ÉVA IZSÁK ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

EÖTVÖS LORÁND UNIVERSITY

T he Re la t i on sh ip be twe e n Buda pe s t and i t s Agg lome r a t i on – D e te r min in g f ac tor s a nd re g iona l c on f l i c t s

Budapest, 2012.

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T hese s o f PhD D i s se r t a t i on

1. THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The 20th century brought us the age of dominance of metropolitan

regions and urban areas. One of its manifestations are that they

are the engines of the economic growth, a determinative

participants of a successfully developing region (Enyedi, Gy.

2004; Bordeau-Lepage, L. 2003; Hegedűs, J. 2008; Szigeti, E.

2003, Somlyódyné Pfeil, E. 2008). However, along with their

growth, urban areas’ have to face several challenges as well:

aging and changing structure of society, environment issues,

deteriorating neighbourhoods, changing urbanization processes,

modifying relations with their surrounding settlements, and

existing conflicts (Enyedi, Gy. 2011; Szirmai, V. 2004; Le Galés,

P. – Therborn, G. 2009).

These processes can be detected in Hungary too. The

social-political and economic Transition in 1989-90, the

modernization’s procedures during the decade came along with

society and economic impacts, the urban areas became privilaged

geographical nodes of the economic development and the social

transformation (Faluvégi, A. 2000; Nemes Nagy, J. 2001; Lőcsei,

H. 2004). In addition, new urbanization processes have emerged.

The Budapest Agglomeration was significantly affected by the

changes (Hegedűs, J. 2008; Kocsis, J. B. 2010; Izsák, É. 2003).

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Namely the very close relationship between the Capital and its

agglomeration settlemets surroundings has transformed. The

related question is, what specific factors caused the changes in

this relationship, what types of conflicts have been created

between Budapest and its agglomeration? Based on the analyzed

scientific literature I was able to separate two standpoints. One of

my standpoint is that the relation was detected by the changes

concerning local, municipal level. The Local Government Act in

1990 fragmented the administrative system, designed with a very

high degree of autonomy of municipalities, which created

competition and conflict of interest between them.

According to my other standpoint, where the social

changes, urbanization processes, especially suburbanization also

had a significant impact on the development of relationship. The

historic core-periphery model - based on a hierarchical

relationship transformed (Szirmai, V. 2009), and a new type of

inequalities have emerged between Budapest and its

agglomeration. The social structure has changed, the residents’

territorial consumption have changed, the expansion of

settlements, the urban sprawl phenomenon started to exist

(Csanádi, G. – Csizmady, A. 2002; Dövényi, Z. – Kovács, Z.

1999).

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The changes were realized in social and economic inequalities,

environmental and social problems, conflicts involving more

settlements, and in conflicts of interest. The contradictions

emerged between different groups, municipalities in particular,

and they were detected by the inhabitants. The most visible

contrasts are in connection with transport, commuting, decreasing

of green areas, and increasing of built-up areas. These phenomena

did not help forming the co-operations, and could cause

disadvantages of urban areas: Hungary’s most developed regions,

urban areas can fall behind from others in economic competition

between European metropolitan regions, left out of application

sources from EU, furthermore, the social, economic,

environmental and political tensions between municipalities can

impact the regional competitiveness too.

Concerning to the research problem, my hypothesis’ are

that the relationship and the contradictions and conflicts, the lack

of co-operation between the settlements were not influenced by

the factors separately but built on one to another. In my view

these factors should be taking into account together and after

understanding them in detailed, could help to develop useful

suggestions and practical solutions.

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The problems associated with my research objectives as follows:

My goal is to examine in the last 20 years what kind of

relationships developed between Budapest and its

Agglomeration, and what factors formed the relationship

between settlements.

My additional aim is to explore whether there are specific

regional conflicts, and contraditcitons between Budapest

and their surrounding settlement and how they occur on

the residential side and the decision-making side.

My third goal is to analyze what kind of laws, concepts,

plans, regulations, and organizations have appeared

concerning the Budapest Agglomeration and what role

they could play to improve the relations. My further

objective is to examine what the Budapest Agglomeration

can learn from European metropolitan regions’ examples.

My final goal is to create a model that realizes an ideal co-

operation, which includes all factors and marks for the

Budapest Agglomeration the right co-operation directions.

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2. THE METHODS OF THE RESEARCH

From the several methods I used to examine for the research, it

can be highlighted the scientific literature, former related

researches, legislation analysis of background which ensured

the theoretical framework of the thesis.

To present some co-operation in the European

metropolitan areas, and to introduce guidelines of the European

Union related to urban areas’ relations, I have analyzed

development documents and EU doctrines.

For the examination of social and economic characteristic

and changes of the Budapest Agglomeration and the presentation

of the current situation I performed statistical data analysis, and

comparative investigations, which I represented on thematic

maps.

For the most important part of the research, namely to

reveal the concrete contradictions between Budapest and its

Agglomeration settlements, to reveal the opinion of the decision-

makers, empirical methods were used. It has framed by my

participation in two separate researches, as well as my own

personal empirical analysis.

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My research site, the Centre for Social Siences of the Hungarian

Academy of Sciences, Institute of Sociology insured chance of

participation in two specific empirical researches, that helped me

to analyze the subject1.

Between 2004 and 2007, with the participation of more

institutions, ‘Urban Areas, Socio-spatial Inequalities and Conflicts

– The Socio-spatial Factors of European Competitiveness’

research project was carried out – with the sample area of nine

Hungarian big cities and their surrounding areas – I was involved

in depth interviews, questionnaire survey and press analysis. In

the thesis I analyzed structured in-depth interviews made in

Budapest Agglomeration, twelve in all together, six of them

carried out by me. I have evaluated the survey results concerning

the Budapest Agglomeration whether the inhabitants perceived

conflict on their place of residence.

Another research framework was provided within the

research programme between 2009 and 2011 called ‘Sustainable

consumption, production and communication’, with the sub-

programme called ‘The social mechanisms and interests

determining consumption models. The model of sustainable

territorial consumption’ where the urban sprawl processes of

Budapest Agglomeration, and its socio-spatial effects were

explored.

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During the research 53 interview were made, 10 carried out by

me. My analytical aspects fully differed from the aspects of the

research: the evaluation of the interviews was carried out strictly

along the thesis problem, focusing only the relation between

Budapest and its Agglomeration, and the existing conflicts.

In addition, I carried out own structured in-depth

interviews for the problem of the thesis. For the exploration of

international processes, for the understanding of a developed

metropolitan region I made interviews with three professionals in

Gothenburg: one of the leading project manager of the region as

well as geographic researchers who knew well the processes of

the region. To get to know the processes of Budapest

Agglomeration even more in details, I made structured in-depth

interviews with decision-makers working at the districts as well as

suburban settlements, and with experts and politicians between

January and December 2011. They completed the previously

received information, seven interviews all together.

In overall, the base of the empirical results is provided by

a total of 75 structured depth interviews, in which 26 was

carried out by me evaluated subject-specific and summarized in

SWOT analysis.

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To develop the model, along with evaluating the empirical results,

I analysed planning and development documentations of

Budapest Agglomeration, and also analysed exploration of

creative factors related to European researches.

3. NEW SCIENTIFIC RESULTS

Related to the research hypotheses and objectives, the

dissertation’s new scientific results are:

1. The research in a complex way, several factors taken

together, covering the European samples showed that the

changes in the local government system, the change of legal

background and regulations were built on the socio-economic

former socio-economic inequalities existed between the

settlements. The research is highlighted that the two factors

should not be separated, they complement one another

(synergistically) influenced that current cooperation between

Budapest and the agglomeration is weak, in many cases their

relationship manifests in regional conflicts. After 1990, the

development of local government’s fragmentation, the changes

in the economic situation of the settlements, to survive its

'struggle' worked against the co-operation. Contributed to this

the suburbanization process started earlier, but becoming mass

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phenomenon after the Transition, and the related problems to

the lack of institutional, or infrastructure supply, or with the

transport, and land use in the suburban settlements. So the

question indicated in the research objectives, according to

my answer we can’t say that only the changes in the local

government or the social transformation played more

important role – they are to be treated together.

2. My second set of research objectives was to examine, what

type of territorial conflicts appeared in the Budapest

agglomeration, on both public and decision-making sides.

Based on the analysis of the interviews, numerous of conflicts

have been revealed, along with the most significant, the

transport-related conflicts between the Capital and

surrounding towns and villages. This problem was seen by the

decision-makers as the most current and most urgent. I

examined from the residental side too, what type of social

groups play a role in this problem formulation. According to the

results, the transport-related conflicts can be solved on the

agglomeration level, but with differentiated assets. So not only

the infrastructure development, but, for a different spatial and

social groups different solving tools could be useful to develop.

In addition to the traffic problems, land use and institutions

conflicts also appeared. Furthermore, decision makers clearly

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pointed out that there is very poor communication between the

leaders of the settlements, which effected the relations.

3. To reach the next aim, I analyzed what laws, regulations and

concepts appeared in the Budapest Agglomeration, and whether

these documents could play some role improving the relations

in the area. According to the results, in the past 20 years

numerous documents were prepared, each of which included the

importance and the need of inter-municipal cooperation,

whether it was development concept for the area or national

plan. In my opinion they can provide a good basis and

background to a meaningful cooperation in the future. It’s

antecedents had already appeared during in some work in

former organization in the Agglomeration, but because of its

termination, further continuation was not possible. In the last

year a smaller organization – created with the participation of

suburban settlements – the Local Government Association of

Metropolitan Agglomeration (FAÖT) can provide a good basis

for development cooperation, a bottom-up organization for

determining a common goal. Their activities should be

pursued by all means not to ‘against Budapest’ act, it is obvious

for both sides to live together, so with the appropriate

relationship with the districts and the Municipality, with

ongoing consultation should try to solve the existing conflicts.

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4. I examined what sort of European examples can the Budapest

Agglomeration learn from and what items can be received.

Following the overview of the examples of Europe nearly

everywhere when organizations were formed, they had only one

specific target or problem, initially they worked informally,

and later they received an organizational framework. Most of

them was established to achieve a goal that had a positive

outcome for both parties, so the traffic problems in many

European cities was the motivation to cooperate. From the

examples developed it would be necessary to take over the

culture in co-operation, and the need of thinking in long term.

Additionally, creative tools could be used in the Budapest

Agglomeration in relation to the strengthening of cooperation

such as information flow, determination of metropolitan vision,

communication channels establishment, catalyst projects, all

this combined with a rational decisions. It should be underlined

the importance of participation in tenders, the importance of

joint ownership.

5. Finally, the research’s point of view of practical applicability,

I formulated that most important element builds on a regional

approach, rather than a general cooperative schema. In other

words, to take into account the established socio-economic

differences, the inequality conditions of the Budapest

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Agglomeration. Nevertheless, regulations and concepts are

necessary – a kind of control from ‘above’ – along with the

building coming from the ‘bottom’, and formulating common

goals for both municipalities and the local participants, and this

potential external opportunities exploitation (for example,

participation in tenders), namely taking a multi-factor co-

operation model elements into account together.

The optimal model of co-operation in the Budapest Agglomeration

Source: own edition

RESEARCH UTILIZATION OPPORTUNITIES

It is important in the future that the local governments,

organizations executing transport development, relevant social

groups to take into account the regional, social effects, and like in

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Western European models, through participation in a common

application, gradually start to develop co-operation. So my goal is

to present the outcome of the thesis among the leaders in the

Budapest agglomeration.

Another recommendation of my research is that the

decision-makers might use lobbying activity by the application

system, which prefers the local government cooperation and joint

participation.

The thesis has opened new directions for me, provided a

base to continue for future research goals, which aims to develop

the game theory methods in connection with decisions affecting

major cities, and the using of creative tools in Hungary in a more

detailed way.

REFERENCES

Bordeau-Lepage, L. (2003): Metropolization in Eastern Europe. Unequal Chances. LEG - Document de travail - Economie LEG, Laboratoire d'Economie et de Gestion, Université de Bourgogne. p 22.

Csanádi, G. – Csizmady, A. (2002): Szuburbanizáció és társadalom. ’Suburbanization and society.’ In: Tér és Társadalom ‘Space and Society’16. year 3. sz. pp. 27–55.

Dövényi, Z. – Kovács, Z. (1999): A szuburbanizáció térbeni-társadalmi jellemzői Budapest környékén. ’Suburbanization’s socio-spatial characteristics around Budapest.’ In: Földrajzi Értesítő, ‘Geogrpahical Bulletin’ 48. year 1–2. sz. pp. 33–57.

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Enyedi Gy. (2004): Városi világ – Városfejlődés a globalizáció korában. ’Urban World - Urban Development in the era of globalization.’ Pécsi Tudományegyetem Közgazdaság-tudományi Kara Regionális Politika és Gazdaságtan Doktori Iskola. ‘University of Pécs, Faculty of Economy, Doctorate School of Politics and Economy. Habilitációs előadások Habilitation Presentations 4. 26 p.

Faluvégi, A. (2000): A magyar kistérségek fejlettségi különbségei. ’The Hungarian sub-regions inequalities.’ Területi Statisztika. ‘Regional Statistics’ 3. (40.). 4. pp. 319-346.

Hegedűs J. (2008): A nagyvárosi kormányzatok és az önkormányzati rendszer. ’The metropolitan government and the local government system.’ In: Tér és Társadalom ‘Space and Society’22. year 1. pp. 59-75.

Izsák É. (2003): A városfejlődés természeti és társadalmi tényezői. ’The natural and social factors of the urban development.’ Napvilág Kiadó, 177 p.

Kocsis J. B. (2010): A fővárosi agglomeráció átalakulása. ’The transformation of agglomeration in the capital.’ In: Csanádi G. – Csizmady A. – Kocsis J. B. – Kőszeghy L. – Tomay K. (szerk): Urban – Planning – Society (Város Tervező Társadalom.), Budapest: Sík Kiadó, 2010. pp. 229-324.

Le Galés, P. – Therborn, G. (2009): Cities in Europe. From City-States to State Cities, and into Union and Globalization. Working papers du Programme Villes & territoires, 2009/4, Paris, Sciences Po.http://blogs.sciences-po.fr/recherche-villes/files/2010/05/Le-Gales-Therborn.pdf

Nemes Nagy, J. (1995): A „gazdasági egészség” földrajzi képe Magyarországon. ’The ‘economic health’ geographic image of Hungary.’ „Földrajztanítás” ‘Geography teaching ‘3-4. sz., pp. 4-11.

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Szirmai V. (2004): Globalizáció és a nagyvárosi tér társadalmi szerkezete. ’Globalization and the social structure of urban areas.’ In: Szociológiai Szemle ‘Sociological Bulletin’ 2004/4. pp. 3-24.

Szigeti, E. (2001): A közigazgatási térstruktúra regionalizálásának feltételei és alternatívái ’The conditions and alternatives of administrative regionalization’s spatial structure.’ In: Szigeti, E. (szerk.) (ed): Régió, közigazgatás, önkormányzat. ‘Region, administration, local governments.’ Hungarian Institute of Public Administration, pp. 119-143.

Somlyódyné Pfeil, E. (2008): A városi térségek a közigazgatási struktúra és a „governance keresztmetszetében. ’The urban areas in the cross section of the administrative structure and the governance.’ In: Tér és Társadalom ‘Space and Society’ 22. year 1. No. pp. 27-43.

4. RELATED PUBLICATIONS BY THE AUTHOR

Váradi Zs (2007)Várostérségi konfliktusvizsgálat sajtóelemzés alapján. ’City-regional conflict analysis by press analysis.’ In: Hervainé Sz. Gy. – Szirmai V. (2007): Versenyképesség és Várostérségi Egyenlőtlenségek. Tanulmánykötet, II-III. Kodolányi János Főiskola – MTA Veszprémi Területi Bizottság – MTA Szociológiai Kutatóintézet. Székesfehérvár – Veszprém – Budapest. pp. 197-214.

Csizmadia Z – Molnár B – Váradi Zs (2007)Társadalmi konfliktusok a magyarországi nagyvárosokban. ’Social conflicts in the big cities in Hungary.’ In: Hervainé Sz. Gy. – Szirmai V. (2007): Versenyképesség és Várostérségi Egyenlőtlenségek. Tanulmánykötet, II-III. Kodolányi János Főiskola – MTA Veszprémi Területi Bizottság – MTA Szociológiai Kutatóintézet. Székesfehérvár – Veszprém – Budapest. pp. 177-196.

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Váradi Zs (2007)A magyarországi nagyvárosi és környéki konfliktusok vizsgálata sajtóelemzés alapján. ’Anaysis of conflicts in Hungarian big cities and their surroundong by press analysis.’ In: Balogh, M. (szerk.): Diszciplínák határain innen és túl. Fiatal Kutatók Fóruma 2. MTA Társadalomtudományi Kutatóközpont, Budapest. pp. 2007. 373-397.

Csizmadia Z – Molnár B – Váradi Zs (2009)A nagyvárostérségi elit társadalmi konfliktus-érzékenysége. ’The conflict preception of the urban elite groups.’ In: Szirmai V. (szerk): A várostérségi versenyképesség társadalmi tényezői Hogyan lehetnek a magyar nagyvárostérségek versenyképesebbek?Dialóg Campus Kiadó, Pécs – Budapest. pp. 129-140.

Szirmai V – Váradi Zs (2009)A nagyvárostérségi társadalmak és a konfliktusok. ‘Urban societies and conflicts.’ In: Szirmai V. (szerk): A várostérségi versenyképesség társadalmi tényezői Hogyan lehetnek a magyar nagyvárostérségek versenyképesebbek?Dialóg Campus Kiadó, Pécs – Budapest. pp. 141-150.

Szirmai V. – Váradi Zs (2010)Társadalmi konfl iktusok. ’Social conflicts.’ In: Szirmai V. (szerk): Közép-Dunántúli régió. Dialóg-Campus Kiadó, Pécs-Budapest. pp. 366-377.

Váradi Zs. (2011)Social conflicts and changing consumption patterns related to the suburbanization processes in Hungary. The struggle to belong. Dealing with diversity in 21st century urban settings. Annual RC21 Conference 2011, Conference Paper. http://www.rc21.org/conferences/amsterdam2011/prog-16.php

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Szirmai, V. – Váradi , Zs. – Kovács, Sz. – Schuchmann, J . – Baranyai , N. (2011):Urban Sprawl and its Spatial, Social Consequences in the Budapest Metropolitan Region. In: V. Szirmai (ed): Urban sprawl in Europe. Aula Kiadó, Budapest. pp. 141-186.

Szirmai , V. – Váradi , Zs. – Kovács, Sz. – Schuchmann, J . – Baranyai , N. (2011):A nagyvárosi területfogyasztás térbeli társadalmi problémái: város és környék dichotómiák. ’Spatial and social problems of territorial consumption: urban and suburban dichotomies.’ In: Kerekes Sándor –Szirmai Viktória – Székely Mózes (szerk): A fenntartható fogyasztás környezeti dimenziói. Tanulmánykötet. Aula Kiadó, Budapest. pp. 125-166.

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS

Váradi ZsVárostérségi konfliktusvizsgálat sajtóelemzés alapján ‘Urban-suburban conflict by press analysis.’Konferencia az MTA Társadalomtudományi Kutatóközpont szervezésében „Fiatal kutatók fóruma” címmelBudapest, 2006. május 4-5.

Váradi ZsMagyarországi várostérségi konfliktusok jellemzői. ’Characteristics of urban areas’ conflicts in Hungary.’Konferencia az MTA Veszprémi Területi Bizottság Gazdaság-, Jog- és Társadalomtudományi Szakbizottsága, Komárom Város Önkormányzata és a Magyar Jogászegylet Komárom Esztergom Megyei Szervezete szervezésébenKomárom, 2006. április 28.

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Váradi ZsVáros és környéke közötti konfliktusok a magyarországi nagyvárosi térségekben. ’Conflicts between city and surrounding in metropolitan areas in Hungary.’„Régiók, kommunikáció, vidékfejlesztés” c. konferencia-nyári egyetemen, a Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem Gazdaság- és Társadalomtudományi Kar Szociológia és Kommunikáció Tanszéke, az MTA Veszprémi Területi Bizottságának, a Pannon Egyetem Nagykanizsai Telephelye szervezésébenNagykanizsa, 2007. június 28-30.

Váradi ZsA magyarországi nagyvárostérségek társadalmi konfliktusai: a város és környék ellentmondásai. ’Social conflicts of Hungarian metropolitan areas: contradictions of the city and surrounding.’Projektzáró nemzetközi konferencia az MTA Szociológiai Kutatóintézetének szervezésében „Várostérségek, térbeli társadalmi egyenlőtlenségek és konfliktusok Az európai versenyképesség térségi társadalmi tényezői” címmelBudapest, MTA Székház, 2007. november 19.

Váradi Zs.Város és környéke közötti konfliktusok. ’Conflicts in the urban areas in Hungary.’Kerekasztal beszélgetés az MTA RKK NYUTI Közép dunántúli Kutatócsoportja és Székesfehérvár Megyei Jogú Város Önkormányzata által szervezett „Székesfehérvár a XXI. század elején – Helyzetkép – A továbblépés pillérei. Várostérségek, térbeli társadalmi egyenlőtlenségek és konfliktusok – Az európai versenyképesség térségi társadalmi tényezői” című NKFP kutatás eredményeihez kapcsolódóanHiemer-ház, Székesfehérvár, 2008. december 10.

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Váradi ZsNagyváros és környéke konfliktusai Magyarországon. ‘Conflicts in Hungary in the Hungarian metropolitan areas.’IX. Geográfus Doktoranduszok Konferenciája.Szeged, 2009. március 12-13.

Baráth G. – Váradi Zs. Generációk a nagyvárosi térben: együttélés és konfliktusok. ’Generations in the metropolitan areas: coexistence and conflict.’MTA Szociológiai Kutatóintézet, a Magyar Szociológiai Társaság és az ELTE Szociológia Tanszék által rendezett ’1989-2009. Magyar Generációk” című tudományos konferencián. Budapesti Francia Intézet, 2009. május 28.Váradi ZsChanging processes between the cities and their surroundings. With or without?Vetenskapsfestivalen 2010Göteborg, 2010. április 23.

Váradi ZsChanging Processes between the Cities and their surroundings suburbanization and conflicts.Regional Studies Association Annual ConferencePécs, 2010. május 24-26.

Váradi ZsThe sustainable or unsustainable territorial consumption, suburbanisation problems with the example of social conflicts. Consommations durables - mise en place d'un projet de recherche en sciences sociales. Seminar for the participant French and Hungarian researchers under the CNRS-MTA collaboration15-16 June 2010Budapest, Institute of Sociology of HAS.

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Váradi ZsSustainable consumerism and human communication Human Dimension in Sustainable Development. Conference/Workshop.Budapest, October 13th Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Future Generations.

Szirmai Viktória - Váradi Zsuzsanna Kompakt város-szétszórt város. A térfogyasztás társadalmi fenntarthatósági konfliktusai a budapesti városrégióban. ’Compact city – dispersed city. The social conflicts of the sustainable territorial consumption in Budapest region.’A budapesti városrégió társadalomföldrajzi kihívásai”. Budapest a földrajztudósok szemével. Magyar Tudomány Ünnepe kiemelt rendezvény. MTA Székház, Budapest, 2010. november 8.

Váradi Zs.Urban Sprawl and its Spatial, Social Consequences in the Budapest Metropolitan Region. (presentation of the study by V. Szirmai – Zs. Váradi – Sz, Kovács – N. Baranyai – J. Schuchmann)Urban Sprawl in Europe - International conference and book publishing ceremony.Centre for Social Studies at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 18th November 2011.

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Documents

Eötvös Loránd University Doctorate School of Earth