Small towns as centres of rural micro-regions

Abstract

Small towns as centres of rural micro-regions Small towns ensure services on the basic urban level, jobs, social contacts, occasions to travel outside the micro-region, services of the state administration and sometimes also an identity of the micro-region. Mass commuting from villages to small towns is usual for Czechia for a long time. Small towns in peripheral regions are of our interest. Character of these towns is given by the remoteness and bad accessibility from regional centers, by the lack of investments, problems of human capital etc. Nevertheless, the peripheral small towns remain the definite centers of their hinterlands because of the lack of competition in majority of cases. The second demographic transition leads to ageing of rural population. Sub-urbanization and counter-urbanization impacts on the population shift from big and medium cities to the countryside. In the process of globalization, the countryside including small towns plays a role of bearer of the traditional way of life. Transferring the jobs from productive to non-productive branches endangers the countryside by losing jobs in industry. Increasing value of leisure, environment, space, security etc. offers new chances for small towns.

Small Towns - Engines of Rural Development in the South-Moravian Region (Czechia): An Analysis of the Demographic Development

“…One big city and rural hinterland might off er relatively stable small towns sector. These small towns play their role as centres of rural micro-regions (see Vaishar, Zapletalová, 2009). The distance from the metropolis might be the other factor of the diff erence.…”

Regional Ambassadors – An Innovative Element for the Development of Rural Areas?

“…As already highlighted in other contexts (for an European discussion see a.o. van Leeuwen, 2010; Kwiatek-Soltys et al, 2014) these places often fulfil important functions, serving as centres of rural areas, thus providing jobs, services and fostering social contact and regional identities (Courtney and Errington, 2000;Vaishar and Zapletalová, 2009;Servillo, 2014). The character of small towns is also marked by a high diversity, differing according to their historic development, economic structures and social strata of their inhabitants.…”

Small Towns in the Context of “Borrowed Size” and “Agglomeration Shadow” Debates: the Case of the South Moravian Region (Czech Republic)

“…However, their importance for rural areas are crucial in order to maintain balanced spatial development and to avoid spatial discrepancies (Hinderink and Titus 2002). The specific role of small towns consists of the sufficient provision of jobs and services for their mostly rural hinterlands (Heffner and Solga 2006;Vaishar and Zapletalová 2009). This assumption is reflected in normative practices of spatial planning authorities at different hierarchical levels.…”