By the end of the 18th century, merchant families that controlled the economy also took roles in the leadership in the city. The new social elite was about to shape that regarded metropolitan bourgeoisie as their inspiration. In shaping the new cityscape builders who came from abroad played decisive roles.

In the 14th century, the ever growing number of handicraft artisans provided goods not only for their direct neighbourhood but also the region they lived in. To defend their valuables, they formed corporate bodies or guilds. Debrecen based goldsmiths and bookbinders were nationally famous.