Urban development – an emerging priority of the field of regional development

Abstract

The regional development policy imposes an increasingly important position on the list of factors of economic and social development of the national space, being among the priorities of both the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the development partners. The premise of the emergence of the concept of urban development was the increasing deterioration of the urban area. The need for a territorial approach that would not only propose investments in infrastructure and buildings, but also take into account other important aspects, such as economic development and social inclusion, has become increasingly urgent. Urban development is an emerging priority of regional development policy. This article presents the theory and founding principles of urban public policy. The different dimensions of urban life – environmental, economic, social and cultural – are interconnected, and success in urban development can only be achieved through an integrated approach to them. Urban revitalization measures must be combined with those promoting education, economic development, social inclusion and environmental protection. Also, strong partnerships between local citizens, civil society, industry and different levels of government can add value to sustainable development.