nagyváros

Nagyváros is a Hungarian term used to describe a large urban settlement. It is not a formal administrative category in Hungary, but a descriptive label used in geography, urban planning, journalism, and everyday language to refer to cities that play a dominant role in a region and in the national economy.

Typical features of a nagyváros include a sizable population, a diversified economy with services, industry, education and healthcare, a dense built environment, and extensive transport and public infrastructure networks such as roads, rail, and public transit. Cultural institutions, universities, and administrative centers are common.

Urban governance around nagyváros involves metropolitan influence on surrounding suburbs and neighboring municipalities, with planning often coordinated at the city and regional levels. Common issues include housing, traffic, environmental management, and infrastructure maintenance, while cooperation across municipalities is frequent in metropolitan regions.

Examples of Hungarian nagyváros include Budapest (the capital) and other large cities such as Debrecen, Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs, Győr, Nyíregyháza, and Kecskemét.

Internationally, the concept corresponds to the idea of a metropolis or major city and is used to analyze urban hierarchies, regional development, and the distribution of economic activity.