Regionalization as a determinant of spatial development of Republic of Srpska

Предмет истраживања ове докторске дисертације јесте детрминисање просторне и функционалне организације у Републици Српској...The subject matter of this doctoral dissertation was the determination of spatial and functional organization in Republic of Srpska. The specificity of Republic of Srpska space, territorial forms, historical factors, and modern processes decided on the course of the research. Studies were conducted in order to set the level of development of spatial-functional connections and relations within the settlement network in Republic of Srpska, all in order to define the best-suitable model of future territorial development. Having used the principles of functional regionalization and all the relevant theoretical and methodological schemes of modern spatial planning, we set the sustainable model of the future development of Republic of Srpska. The primary goal of the study was the identification of all the significant indicators of space and their intensity and role within the total development process. Having analyzed the historical assumptions, physicalgeographical and social-economic foundations, and validity of settlement network development, we offered a scientific framework for potential future analyses, research, and approach to regionalization. Theoretical-methodological roots of the regional system study were based upon the paradigms of spatial organization focusing on nodal regionalism. The urban settlements are the bearers of development within a space, in which they either integrate or disintegrate one heterogeneous space. Hence, nodal and functional regions are formed. In time, there were four such regions formed completely naturally in Republic of Srpska and they were determined by the population distribution, function of public services, infrastructure, etc. The space targeted in this study is a newly-formed state, which originated under specific circumstances. In addition, it is one of the two entities within a joint state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Apart from the two entities, there is the Brcko District that was given a special status by the Decision of International Court of Arbitration. Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitution defines certain domains but territorial organization is under the jurisdiction of the entities. One such multi-layer jurisdiction division determined the division of BiH Federation into ten cantons and seventy-nine municipalities. On the other hand, Republic of Srpska organization is characterized by both central and local authorities over sixty-four municipalities. The timeline covered by the analyticalstatistical research dates from 1992 onwards. It took twenty-two years to conduct a new official population census in Bosnia and Herzegovina the results of which are still unofficial. Hence, the analyses are based upon the data from the Republic of Srpska Institute of Statistics, i.e. upon our estimations. The following work hypotheses were reached upon the subject matter, goals, and tasks of the study: 1. Regionalization is the foundation of a high-quality spatial planning and a successful regional politics of Republic of Srpska. 2. Regionalization politics is of an utmost relevance for Republic of Srpska due to the country’s specific position of a BiH entity and the fore-coming process of EU accession. 3. The lack of regional organization and development at RS level imposes the necessity of an extensive and thorough study of the process that might offer adequate solutions.. Taking into account the available data and bibliography, our study focused on the analytic and synthetic methods. Firstly, a theoretical-methodological framework was set within which the research was conducted. Having analyzed the diachronic system development, we determined specific patterns of the analyzed space. The regional research was performed via the application of different science-based methods and models and EU-practiced methods and models on regional politics. The whole study targeted a coherent and sustainable regional development, and the total development of Republic of Srpska. This doctoral dissertation comprises several causal parts: the introduction, four chapters, and final reflections. There are personal conclusions and reflections provided after each part, and the following research was based upon the previous hypothesis. The conducted study undoubtedly confirmed the fact that over time there have been four nodal-functional regions formed in Republic of Srpska. In addition, we determined a range of shortcomings of the State-Municipality/City system, especially when it comes to a territory of a specific form. Thus, the development initiated from a single center (Banjaluka) under the given circumstances – especially with reference to bordering and distant municipalities – is virtually impossible. Furthermore, a conclusion was reached that the least developed municipalities were those that inherited the smallest portion of former BiH municipalities’ territory and lost the municipal centers. All the conducted research indicated a constant degradation and negative trends in the east Republic of Srpska, which was not the case with the western part of the country that has far better conditions for future development. To sum up, Republic of Srpska is a space within which there are four nodal-functional regions, i.e. Banjaluka, Doboj-Bijeljina, Sarajevo-Zvornik, and Trebinje-Foca. Banjaluka region is mono-polar with the city of Banjaluka as the dominant center. Other three regions are dominantly bipolar and have their centers in towns of Doboj, Bijeljina, Zvornik, East Sarajevo, Foca, and Trebinje. If the future development of Republic of Srpska is based upon the regional politics included in these four regions, we may expect positive effects within the total area