Review article
https://doi.org/10.21861/HGG.2024.87.01.06
Croatian island towns – model of differentiation and population change
Andrija Mišetić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Zagreb, Croatia (PhD student)
Aleksandar Lukić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-5818
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Although Croatian Island towns are often studied individually, they are rarely considered as a distinct group of settlements with specific characteristics resulting from their insularity and urban identity. This article begins with a proposal for a new model for identifying island towns in the Croatian context, based on their size, centrality and building density. Fourteen island cities were identified. Twelve of the fourteen are characterised by a strongly ageing population. With the exception of Novalja, they show negative natural population change. On the other hand, there are different trends in permanent migration, which have influenced the typology based on two main criteria: 1. age structure and natural population potential, and 2. characteristics of permanent migration. The analysis is further deepened by comparing analytical population projections for Novalja and Pag. In Novalja, the recovery of the population via immigration is expected to continue, while in Pag very negative demographic trends are expected to continue, unless there is a significant and sudden change in the characteristics of the factors influencing population dynamics.
Keywords
island towns; model of differentiation of towns; demogeographic characteristics; population typology; population projection
Hrčak ID:
333658
URI
Publication date:
14.7.2025.
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