Contemporary scientific literature and strategic documents suggest the concept of polycentricity as a key factor and the aim of regional development policies. One of the aims of this study is to analyze spatial relations between the nodal regions and to determine (calculate) the level of polycentricity in the region of Vojvodina (Northern Serbia). By quantifying spatial relations in the region (using selected methods), we pointed out the relevance of regional development policies, i.e., the extent to which the proposed measures for reducing regional inequalities are in line with the direction of contemporary spatial relations in the region of Vojvodina. We have used four different methodological tools: rank-size rule, urban primacy index, index of functional centrality, and commuting patterns (levels of functional dependence). The obtained results identified the existence of morphological polycentricity, but also the growing domination of the cities of Novi Sad and Belgrade in regulating and managing spatial and functional relations in the region of Vojvodina. These results are not completely in line with the development directions declared in the strategic documents. Our approach focuses on assessing the influence of the main nodal (sub)centers in managing further spatial and functional relations in the region of Vojvodina.

Pančevo is an old industrial center in the Banat region. The development of industry and the environment in this city are in the causa - effect relationship: industrialization follows increased degradation of the environment. This relationship was particularly disturbed in the second half of the 20th century, after the construction of a large chemical and petrochemical industrial complex, on the city periphery. The development of industry has negatively affected all elements of city environment. The saturation of air with harmful substances such as benzene, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, soot and suspended particles has become a daily occurrence. Increased concentration of harmful substances in the air directly affects the pollution of the soil - the most important natural resource of Pančevo. A chronic problem of excessive pollution of the surface waters is a consequence of insufficiently built and inefficient sewage system, as well as insufficiently purified industrial water discharged into the recipients. Also, it is necessary to conduct a complex and multidisciplinary research on the long - term consequences of the NATO bombardment, because the amount of harmful substances have melt in the water, air and soil during the two and a half months in 1999, indicate a significate negative changes in the environment of Pančevo.

Podrinje is a complex geographical region, whose heterogeneity derives from complex physical and social geographical content. Location near the state border and complex terrain morphology complicates the regional differentiation of Podrinje, and makes it specific. At the beginning of the second decade of the XXI century, Podrinje is one of the less developed regions in Serbia, but on its territory there are many unused natural resources. They can be a significant factor in the future development of the region. The development of the region in the future should be based on natural resources. Podrinje has a great variety of natural resources that are dispersedly deployed. Seating of natural resources is in direct functional coherence with one of the main objectives of future development - that's spatially balanced regional development. This paper presents the most important natural resources of the region, their spatial distribution, features, role and importance in the future regional development. Focus is on natural resources, because of insufficient exploration, but also because of the opportunities they provide for social and economic development.

During the second half of the twentieth century several theories and con¬cepts are defined. These theories at the center of their research put causes and consequences of uneven regional development. The growth poles theory is at the foundation of a broader conceptual circle of polarized development. Also, it represent a starting hypothesis for defining other theories. At the beginning of the second half of twentieth century a few growth poles were formed in Podrinje region. In the fifties, the primary growth pole - fabric for production of the cellulose and synthetic fibers 'Viskoza', and the secondary growth pole - hydropower plant 'Zvornik', were build. Also, there have been built a several smaller industrial facilities in Kru¬panj and Ljubovija, which have had a role of local growth poles. Their join action changed spacious, functional, demographic and economic structure of Podrinje region. Also, these growth poles created a new system of relation in space. Cities have become zones of extreme concentration of population and functions, thus increased uneven development between the centers (cities with suburban surroundings) and periphery (villages at the longer distances in lower zone of influence).