The Institute founded in year 1943, the legal predecessor and a member institute of the Centre for Regional Studies with its interdisciplinary basic and applied researches considers conducting international researches in regional science its primary target. Sticking to its mission having undertaken at the time of its foundation by its theoretical researches complemented by empirical analyses on the economic, social, built and natural environmental and administrative management contexts of local and regional planning and by its other initiatives and scientific and public functions wishes to serve for the development of South-Transdanubia, - the region which is generally referred to as the birthplace of Hungarian regionalism.

During the past decades the Institute's economists, geographers, lawyers, politologists have all contributed to the foundation of the regulation and institutional system of Hungarian regional policy, to the modernisation of the local governmental system and by being committed to regional decentralization and this spirit will guide their future activities too.
 

The Institute through its extensive international and domestic contacts wishes to mediate the research results and ideas of European regional science and cohesion policy.

The Institute's researchers play an important role in the region's institutes of higher education. Their doctoral school and master courses are important milestones in rising the new generation of professionals in regional science and development policy.