The development of Pécs and Baranya county on the historically changing geographical periphery

Abstract

Pécs' connections already in the Roman period had micro-, meso- and macro-regional aspects. The development of the city was integrated into its geographical environment, the territorial and state and the administrative system. The geographic position of the city changed from period to period as a result of the reorganisation of the power-state-territory, and even before the Hungarian conquest it was a geographic-topographic periphery in its current 'host state'. The establishment of the first significant regional institution in Pécs was the result of a royal decision, which, apart from the period of Turkish occupation, operated continuously. The Baranya County was established as a border county and played an essential role in protecting the southern borders of the country in the early period. Pécs and Baranya were located in the southern part of the country, its peripheral status was 'objectified', and this was by no means always a disadvantage.

After an overview of the historical and geographical background, the study will focus on the developments after 1945, since this 'peripheral centre' was given wide scope for settlement and spatial development in the context of the emerging state socialist political system. The peripheral cities, the designated and planned 'counterpoles' of Budapest, including Pécs, were almost constantly taken into account by both the policy-makers and the politicians. In addition to the historically objective peripheral position within the country, the city's location within the county is emphasised. Due to its topographical location (almost in the centre of the county), Pécs has always been a centre in every respect.