The regional measurability of culture and the traits of community culture

Abstract

Assessing the economic role of culture and interpreting it in connection with regional development are becoming increasingly important. Cultural economics as a virtually new branch of economics deals with the possible applications of economic analysis to creative and knowledge-based processes, performing arts, cultural traits, cultural heritage and industries. It is concerned with the economic organisation of the cultural sector, too.

In this study the authors aim to reflect on the assessment and possible means of quantification for the cultural economy of regions. While seeking to gain an insight as to how segments of the cultural economy may be examined using information available in statistical databases both foreign (Eurostat, Eurobarometer, Compendium Information System, Urban Audit) and domestic (Hungarian Central Statistical Office), it also provides an empirical analysis of micro-regions in Hungary.

Given that the authors were compelled to restrict the analysis to the segment of cultural traits, attempts were made in investigating the cultural performance of Hungarian microregions using multivariate statistical methods (principal component analysis, non-hierarchical cluster analysis), as well as the numerical correlations between cultural development/distress and the complex development of micro-regions. Through the empirical investigations the authors identify and describe the different spatial structures of cultural traits in Hungary with special regard to these cultural sectors: education and amusement (first principal component), participation in cultural forms (second principal component), supply of museums and public institutions (third principal component) and the infrastructure of culture (fourth principal component). After typifying the Hungarian micro-regions by non-hierarchical clustering the authors conclude that more cultural potentials are concentrated in micro-regions where there are large cities or especially attractive medium-sized towns than can be found in other territories. In addition to these findings, significant differences can be observed regarding the micro-regions of West- and South-Transdanubia and the Great Plain.