With the term "conurbation" we define groups of interconnected towns and/or other settlements which, due to their own growth and annexation of smaller settlements, are today physically and functionally connected. In the thesis titled Spatial and economic development of the Conurbation Brežice-Krško-Sevnica, the cities of Brežice, Krško and Sevnica are considered as a functional conurbation. The detailed course of the economic development of the conurbation, the spatial growth of individual cities, the historical development of the wider area and the natural-geographical and socio-geographical features that have shaped the landscape and dictated the direction of the cities’ development up to now and in the future are highlighted. The conurbation experienced its greatest spatial development in the second half of the last century at the expense of growing industry and the immigration of people to the cities from the agrarian backward hinterland. It spread beyond its medieval borders along major thoroughfares. The railway and the Sava River were of great importance for both spatial expansion and the economy. Among the industrial activities, the metal, textile and wood industries dominate. The only Slovenian nuclear power plant, a thermal power plant and a chain of five hydroelectric power plants operate in Posavje. The conurbation, which also serves as a regional center, distributes its administrative, health, educational, sports, cultural, tourist and other business functions across its area. Today, state bodies and institutions of public law in Posavje are located mostly in Krško and Brežice, but some of them are also in Sevnica.
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