On selected problems of transformation of social-spatial situation in Slovakia in 1990s

The article analyses the problems of transformation of social-spatial situa tion in Slovakia, which in many respects reflects the happening and turbule nce of contemporary transformation process. After 1989, the reform of socia l-spatial sphere became one of the most expansive reforms (restoration of l ocal governments, municipal legal subjectivity, creation of regional munici pal associations, application of the Program of Village Restoration,..). Ho wever, in the following period, the changes were not sufficiently rapid, co mplex and systematic in order to bring solutions to many imbalances in soci al-spatial situation of Slovakia. Author aims to answer the following quest ions: Are the ongoing transformation processes oriented towards the solutio n of problems and imbalances of previous industrial-urban period? In which direction fluctuates the social-spatial situation in Slovakia - towards the strengthening of its stability or on contrary towards the deepening of its polarisation? Which factors influence this fluctuation and what are their effects? Authors analysis indicate the further fragmentation and polarisation of Slo vak society (territorial, residential, social-economic) as the developmenta l and modernisation processes of these differentiating social and social-sp atial subjects are quite asynchronous contributing to the society shocks an d complicating its developmental dynamics. Polarisation of society rests on the horizontal social-spatial differentiation as well as on the vertical s ocial-economic polarisation. Existing residential and regional differences usually represent the social inequalities. So is the case with the vertical social-economic polarisation, which has striking regional and residential impacts. This vertical polarisation deeply influences social stratification of contemporary society and creates new social stratum of poor and unemplo yed, The difficulty of the situation lies in the fact that both these probl ematic dimensions meet in the same regions and territories. Author discusses in the greater detail the horizontal social-spatial dimens ion of Slovakia. Based on the empirical data, author analyses the state and the developmental tendencies of social-spatial situation in Slovakia at va rious levels - macro-social, regional and residential; and identifies the p roblems and imbalances produced by or accompanying the transformation proce ss. He mentions the historical genesis of these problems, their current sta te and their impacts on the developmental conditions of settlements, concen trating mainly on social impacts of the development of Slovak society. Auth or also suggests the broader international implications of these problems. In the conclusion, article declares the need for a systematic solution of t hese problems both in regional as well as territorial national strategies.