Impact of road network on spatial distribution of rural community and process of depopulation in R.Мacedonia

Over the past few decades, more people have moved from rural settlements in urban areas in Republic of Macedonia, as a result from restricted access to vital facilities - the problem of travel poverty. Meanwhile, there are many people in rural areas suffering from limited travel options to access to a range of facilities - a doctor, chemist, bank, shops, post offices, job center. Those households without a car or bus lines have been faced with increased need to travel, because few or limited services are available in the village, and with increasingly included limited bus services. Much of rural settlements (total 1728) are completely depopulated (141 settlements or 8.15% of total number) or have extremely small number of people and soon, because of their unfavorable age structure (old people), it is likely to remain without a single inhabitant. This process is especially stressed in hilly-mountain areas. It is necessary to give local authority the powers and responsibility to implement a strategy for thus areas to improvement road infrastructure and better public transport for better lifestyles. This paper examines the present situation and policy opportunities to help overcoming this negative process and attain better socialization of rural populations. Key words: depopulation, road infrastructure, transport services, hilly-mountain area