The former Centre of Regional Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences West Hungarian Research Institute (WHRI) was founded in 1986 in Gy\u0151r (originally called North Transdanubian Institute). The mission of WHRI was to study regional processes in one of the most dynamic areas of Hungary. WHRI established a subsidiary in Sz\u00e9kesfeh\u00e9rv\u00e1r (Central Transdanubian) on September 1, 2000 with support of the city of Sz\u00e9kesfeh\u00e9rv\u00e1r and the local government of Fej\u00e9r County.<\/p>\n
Researches of the Department focus on the spatial aspects of innovations, local and regional economic development and the policy implications of these studies. In this respect we are dealing with:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Diffusion of innovation factors (organisations, products, market processes, social political actions, etc.);<\/p>\n
\u2022 Processes of modernisation across the settlement network (exploration of innovation potential among Hungarian cities)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Complex study of micro regions and settlements (analysis of settlements and micro regions; development studies and strategies; functional changes of settlements networks);<\/p>\n
\u2022 Regional analysis (the development process of larger regions, regional and innovation strategic planning of regions);<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cross-border socio-economic co-operations (the establishment of innovation-oriented collaboration in the Austrian-Slovakian-Hungarian and the Austrian-Slovenian-Hungarian border areas, organisational issues \/e.g. Euregions\/);<\/p>\n
\u2022 Study of Central and Eastern European integrations (multi-regional connections and co-operations, developing plans and programs);<\/p>\n
\u2022 Study of the government sector (local government finance and local economic development, changes of structure and institution system of public administration, changes in public services delivery, property management of local governments, project integration of local governments in small regions).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Transformation of the city network (transformation of city functions, settlements factors; connections of the cities and their suburbs)<\/p>\n
\u2022 Spatial planning: development strategies and concepts, monitoring<\/p>\n
Research topics of the Department listed above are included both in basic research (sponsored by different research funds such as National Research Fund, National Research and Development Fund, etc.) and in applied research provided for different government organizations (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, State Property Agency, regional development councils, small region development associations and local governments). Based on the network of the Institute for Regional Studies (IRS\/RKI), the Department has also involved some expertise for private companies (e.g. AB-Aegon Co., Creditanstalt Bank Co., MAT\u00c1V Co.)<\/p>\n
The multidisciplinary character of the Centre is represented at the research units by geography, economics, law, history, sociology, and ethnography. The principle of the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach prevails both in the conceptual and methodological solution of scientific problems. Since years the Department provides studies and surveys establishing government policies, and in recent years has also gained experience in regional strategic planning. The Department has been a registered consulting organization of PHARE\/TACIS (Brussels) in the fields of regional policy and analysis, public sector management, SME development, and investment promotion since January 16, 1996. The No C.C.R. of WHRI is HUN-20860. WHRI has also been registered on the expert list of the former Ministry of Economic Affairs since February of 1997.<\/p>\n
Contact:<\/p>\n