“Defining daily space use patterns in Hungary: identification of functional urban centres with a multidimensional methodology”, a study authored by Gábor Mayer, Kristóf Bertalan Orbán, Judit Berkes, Katalin Mezei, and Tibor Navracsics, has been published.
Some of the literature on catchment areas offers valuable insights into spatial units defined by the various types and functions of urban centres. In addition, a range of functional urban region delineation methodologies contribute significantly to understanding citizens’ commuting habits. However, while the former often lacks a complex, multifunctional perspective, the latter typically focuses on labour market areas linked to global megacities. As a result, smaller centres fulfilling a wide range of everyday functions are frequently omitted from regional maps, and they remain hidden in the catchment area of larger cities. This research aims to address these gaps by proposing a method for identifying urban centres on the basis of multidimensional selection criteria. This approach enables the general mapping of their multifunctional catchment areas and their wider functional urban zones.
The article is available here: https://www.ksh.hu/statszemle_archive/regstat/2026/2026_03/rs160304.pdf
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