In post-socialist European countries, smaller cities were most vulnerable to
economic restructuring during the transition years, as a result of which
they suffered political and economic changes. These changes significantly
influenced the hierarchy of these settlements in the settlement system. The
phenomenon of urban hierarchy and changes in the hierarchy of settlements
are rare research topics in Serbia. In this research, Kolubara District (in
Western Serbia) is used as a case study because it has a good traffic
position, as well as good potential for industrial development, but despite
this, its inhabitants migrate to larger cities. This paper tests Schmook?s
method for the centrality of settlements. A survey was used to examine the
attitude of the local population in regard to the centrality and hierarchy
of settlements. A closed type questionnaire was used. The results show that
the local population has a positive attitude toward the functional
development of the cities in the Kolubara District.