Commercial suburbanization in villages between Nitra city and Topolcany city

Commercial suburbanization is designed by a significant expansion of industrial, commercial and communication sites. As a consequence, it significantly transforms current spatial structure of towns and their suburban areas. Due to its high spatial demands it mainly occurs outside of towns, on previous agricultural areas along major traffic routes. One of the main drivers of commercial suburbanisation process in Slovakia has been the entry of foreign direct investment. The greatest suburbanization boom can be seen in the rural areas of Bratislava. However, the suburbanization process can be observed also in other regional towns in Slovakia, including the town of Nitra. The main goal of this paper is the evaluation of commercial suburbanization objects on the main traffic route between Nitra - Topolcany where are 15 rural municipalities located (Luzianky, Zbehy, Cakajovce, Jelsovce, Ludovitova, Vycapy- Opatovce, Koniarovce, Hrusovany, Preselany, Belince, Kamanova, Mytna Nova Ves, Dvorany nad Nitrou, Ludanice, Chrabrany). In order to collect, analyze and evaluate data for this paper, standard geographic methods were applied (analysis, synthesis and comparison method as well as cartography, graphics and mathematical- statistical method). In addtition, field survey method was applied. Moreover, the extent of commercial suburbanization was studied and analyzed based on present aerial photographs and aerial imagery.