Convergence or Diverence: the Spatial Processes of Transition from Point of View of a Geographer

Abstract

The paper revised an acut problem of the transition period in Hungary, the result of the spatial processes, the major face of the newly formed regional structure. Using some threories of uneven regional development, the author's hypothesis was a constantly diverging spatial structure with hard, but after 2000, stabilising, moderate emerging inequalities. To point out the real achievement of Hungarian NUTS 3 level territorial units, he use the GDP/capita index in PPS, comparing to the EU15 average, to see the level of convergence in the 1994-2004 period. This index mirroring – more or less – directly the development of economy. On the other side, to see the social effects of the transition, the author made a calculation – improving some previous methods – to measure the regional differences of HDI (Human Development Index). This complex index compressed 14 variables showed quite similar process between 1990 and 2004, as we could see examining the economy, slow, but constant divergency among NUTS 3 units. The groups of winner and loser areas are quite stable, and movement between the two major categories seems unbelievable. To understand the background of the Hungarian processes in the period of transition, the author used some theories to make clear the role of capital in emerging social-economic spatial inequalities.