It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of János Rechnitzer, advisor at our Institute.
János Rechnitzer (1952-2023), economist at PTE, PhD, Candidate of Sciences in Economics, Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS). In 1986 he founded the Scientific Department of West-Hungary of the HAS, which he managed until 2008. He was the former chairman of the HAS Regional Science Committee and the former president of the Hungarian Regional Science Society. In 2009 he was awarded an honorary doctorate – Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Miskolc. Founder and former head of the Doctoral School of Regional- and Business Administration Sciences at Széchenyi István University in Győr. Since 2021 he has been a scientific advisor to the iASK. His research specializations are territorial capital, urban development and the creative economy. During his academic career, he has published more than 460 publications, including 23 books, and has 3300 citations.
He was the lead researcher of the Insula Magna (IM) project at the iASK, one of the creators of the research concept of IM using the Kraft approach, leader of the research group on contemporary society, one of the developers of its strategic proposal. At the same time, his person was a link and bridge between Széchenyi University and iASK, as well as a guarantee of a living link between iASK and the Szigetköz & Győr region. He is co-editor of the IM – Szigetköz volume. He was an ambassador of the Kraft Methodology, one of the most influential advisors to the Kraft Research Group and the Institute, with decades of creative research in the field of regional science, and with his experience as a science organizer, his strategic thinking, his immense experience and wisdom.
His passing leaves an immeasurable void, and his person and work are irreplaceable.