Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The
pre-industrial
phase, which is characterised by dominant employment in the
primary sector - agriculture (with ore extraction, forestry in mountainous areas),
and low developmental dynamics. Natural determination with a low spatial mobility
plays an important role for distribution of inhabitants. Population density is rel-
atively even, and it ranges in sample areas in the year 1850 from 75 inhabitants
(Chudenice by Bílina) to 250 per square km (Bílina). A limited role of cities in the
settlement system leads to a low degree of hierarchic organisation. In comparison
to the following phases, population is distributed relatively evenly, and individual
settlements have low size range (100 inhabitants in Chudenice by Bílina and 3,700
in Bílina in the year 1850).
The
industrial
society is characterised by development of the secondary sec-
tor and strong dynamics. Natural determination is being overcome, and the role of
social geographical factors keeps increasing. The process of urbanisation is pressed
for. This process is connected to high spatial mobility. This form of urbanisa-
tion is described as extensive, and develops first in northern Czechia. There is a
strong bond to Saxon cities there. The process of industrialisation also starts in
the Czecho-Saxon borderlands. It spreads from there to other parts of northwest-
ern Sudeten, meaning from east to west, and from there, further into the Czech
inland. The range in population density is increased dynamically, from 60 to 750
inhabitants per square km in the year 1921 (in Krásný Les by Petrovice and Bílina,
respectively).
The
totalitarian
period (German occupation and communist era) represents the
final stage of industrial society and diversion from the natural trajectory of advanced
Europe (which was already showing certain features of a post-industrial society).
For northwest Czechia this era means a period of reversal in development and inter-
ruption of existing developmental continuity. It is foreshadowed by resettlement of
residents of German nationality. Vast disruption of settlement structure followed,
liquidation of housing stock and destruction of many historical and artistic monu-
ments. At the same time, there was enfeeblement of identification of “newcomers”
with the landscape. This was reflected in perishing of many local customs and tradi-
tions. Newcomers were not “at home” here. This situation has been changing only
with the second and mainly the third generation. The ties with cities in Saxony were
significantly subdued. Large capacity, open-pit brown coal mining is developing in
Krušné hory (mountain) foothills and heavy industry (mainly energy and chemical)
is connected to mining. Large-scale agricultural production pushes through in fer-
tile areas. Strong polarising trends culminate in organisation of settlement structure.
In spite of proclamation of tendency of equalisation, the asymmetry, core x periph-
ery (hinterland) is the strongest. Differentiation in population density is deepening,
from 5 to 1,000 inhabitants per square km in the year 1980 (in Krásný Les and
Bílina, respectively).
The
post-industrial
society, with its developing tertiary sector, is characterised
by intensive development of communication (pressure on the transport system)
and informational contacts (Internet, digital phones). In settlement structure, it is
coming to an integration of system. Depopulation developmental trends are push-
ing through at big cores on the account of space in their hinterland. Changes of
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