Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.51650/ezrvs.19.3-4.1
Comparison of Local and Regional Self-Government Units in Croatia by the Number of Completed Residential and Non-Residential Buildings within NUTS 2 Regions
Marin Maras
orcid.org/0009-0004-8574-5753
; Karlovac University of Applied Sciences, Karlovac, Croatia
*
Renajil Abdić
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between residential and non-residential construction (predominantly new construction) in the Croatian NUTS 2 regions, with a focus on the local self-government units (JLS) within those regions. JLS, as components of NUTS 2 regions, reflect regional heterogeneity. The period under study is 2011–2022. For statistical analysis, variance-based methods (ANOVA, MANOVA) and appropriate post hoc tests were applied to compare regions. The aim of the study is to investigate whether differences exist across regions for the set of variables, then to assess differences for individual variables, and finally to identify overall patterns of variable behavior across regions. The analysis revealed that differences are absent only for the variable of non-residential construction per capita, while in all other cases the disparities originate from the Adriatic Croatia region, with no significant differences observed between Pannonian and Northern Croatia. Adriatic Croatia dominates in residential construction but slightly lags behind in non-residential construction. Regional differentiation is less pronounced for non-residential variables. Outliers have a more pronounced effect when construction is measured as a share of total building activity than when expressed per capita. The City of Zagreb was excluded from the analysis, as it does not correspond to a typical JLS within a NUTS 2 region, although it remains predominant in both residential and non-residential construction shares. Excessive residential construction raises issues of housing affordability for local populations, often leading to migration toward peripheral JLS. Non-residential construction, in contrast, represents an opportunity to improve the quality of life through investments in public infrastructure and economic facilities, thereby supporting economic growth. Consequently, it is essential to account for local specificities both at the NUTS 2 level and at the level of individual JLS.
Keywords
residential buildings; non-residential buildings; NUTS 2; municipalities and towns; ANOVA.
Hrčak ID:
340984
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2025.
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