Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.63.3.4
Isolation of Settlements in Croatia: Demographic and Spatial Aspects
Nikola Šimunić
orcid.org/0009-0008-7331-4365
; Institut za istraživanje migracija, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Isolated settlements are a complex spatial phenomenon that requires an interdisciplinary approach
in order to understand their demographic, social, and economic aspects. The isolation
of settlements in Croatia is conditioned by a remote (peripheral) geographic position in
the core-periphery relation and inadequate transport connectivity (mainly determined by the
quality and development of the road network). Isolation initiates lagging behind in development
(economic, infrastructural), and isolated places are more susceptible to the influence of
intensified negative demographic processes, which pose a particular issue in the context of
demographic revitalization and the balanced development of all parts of Croatia.
This paper develops a unique Settlement Isolation Index (I*) for 6,757 settlements in the
Republic of Croatia, based on a model of travel time by road to local, county, and national
administrative centers. Using a complex database of more than 20,000 entries along with
GIS tools and advanced statistical methods, 738 isolated settlements were identified, with
a special category set aside for island settlements. The results show that isolated settlements
record an extremely unfavorable demographic structure and sparse population density, with a
pronounced old age of the population. The approach combines innovative data sources and
multi-criteria weighting (CRITIC), showing that spatial isolation acts as a crucial factor of
negative demographic trends. The new settlement typology and precise mapping of spatial
isolation offer a clear framework for sustainable development policies and the revitalization of
the most threatened areas in Croatia.
Ključne riječi
CRITIC method; demographic dynamics; GIS; isolation; spatial demography
Hrčak ID:
344931
URI
Datum izdavanja:
27.1.2026.
Posjeta: 490 *