Verstädterung#

Urbanisation, the spread of urban forms of settlement. In Austria the percentage of persons living in communities of up to 2,500 inhabitants declined from 32.7 % in 1961 to 28,4 % in 1991; it is to be noted, however, that many communities, especially in Carinthia and Lower Austria, were merged to form larger municipalities. At the same time, the number of persons living in small and medium-sized towns increased sharply during the period under consideration. Approximately 40% more Austrians now live in municipalities with between 5,000 and 10,000 inhabitants than did in 1961, while the provincial capitals increased, on average, by 32.3%. Growth was fastest in the suburban districts around the provincial capitals and Vienna. In the district of Salzburg-Land the number of inhabitants increased by 66.6% between 1961 and 1991, in Innsbruck-Land the increase was 64.0% and in the districts around Linz (Linz-Land and Eferding) by 50,1 %.