Municipal Development Research Articles

Compositional methodology for conducting the research of municipalities’ economic development

At present, the scientific paradigm of municipal economics is being formed, different theories and concepts related to municipal research are being studied and discussed. Therefore, there is a need for a relevant methodology to investigate the economic development of municipalities. Science has established certain approaches to explore the issues of municipal economy, yet the extension of the subject of re gional and municipal economics stimulates the proposal of the new ones. The paper aims to validate a new compositional methodology for conducting the research of municipalities’ economic development. The methodological basis of the study con sists of the theories of regional development, the paradigm of municipal economics, as well as the spatial, evolutionary and systems approaches. The paper relies on a host of general scientific methods including reviewing, comparative analysis, and system atisation. Based on revealing the essence of the term “composition” and presenting the arguments confirming the appropriateness of using it in the regional economics discourse the authors formulate the principles of the compositional methodological approach to the research of municipalities’ economic development, which include the principles of equipoise, dynamism, unity and subordination, integrity, harmony. The compositional methodological approach benefits from the three underlying meth odologies: spatio-temporal, evolutionary, and systems ones, the application of which in the aggregate allows conceptualising the basic propositions for the research of the municipalities’ economic development through the principles of composition. The developed original approach will help create a methodological foundation for inves tigating the municipalities’ economic development in conditions of a new axiological paradigm emerging in society.

Knowledge Management in Management of Social and Economic Development of Municipalities: Highlights

Knowledge Management in Management of Social and Economic Development of Municipalities: Highlights

Financial and economic mechanisms of urban agglomeration

The subject of the study is the search for mechanisms of financial and economic regulation of the development of urban agglomeration, which, due to the chronic insufficiency of funds for these purposes of municipal budgets, is of particular importance. The purpose of the work is to justify the need to use non-traditional tools for regulating the coordinated development of municipalities forming the urban agglomeration. At the same time, it is shown that not only state regional government and municipal self-government bodies are the subjects of economic activity in each urban agglomeration: among them there are quite independent economic entities that need to be invited on the principles of public-private and municipal-private partnership to participate in the coordinated management of the development of the entire agglomeration in the interests of all stakeholders. The study is conducted on the basis of generalisation of the literature on the analysis of the methods used to manage the development of the urban agglomerations. Publications in which the analysed problems found forms of their resolution are the sources of information. The results of the study have heuristic potential due to the possibility of using the considered tools for financing the development of agglomeration for the coordinated development of the municipalities that do not form the urban agglomeration. The possibility of applying non-traditional forms of financing the coordinated development by increasing the capitalisation of municipal assets is the conclusion of the study. The relevance of the considered topic is due to the need to ensure the use of the entire arsenal of market instruments for purposeful development of the municipalities at a new stage of state development.

A MODEL FOR SELECTION OF DECENTRALIZED SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS FOR SMALL MUNICIPALITIES

The precariousness of sanitation services in small Brazilian municipalities is exacerbated by technical and financial limitations. In these places treatment technologies need to be simple, sustainable, economically viable, and socially accessible. This work aims to propose a selection model for decentralized sewage treatment technologies for small municipalities. The PROMETHEE II multi-criteria method was used to rank the technologies with aid decision-making agents to prioritize technical, environmental, economic, and social criteria based on the characteristics of the sewer basins. After validating the method in the sewage catchment areas of four municipalities in Paraíba, the results showed that the constructed wetlands technology occupied the best position in 88.9% of the sewer basins. This technology stands out for its high organic matter and suspended solids removal efficiency, in addition to not generating sludge and performing well in terms of social criteria (odor production and vectors). The septic tank and septic tank + anaerobic filter alternatives ranked lower in the basins studied. The robustness of the method and the assignment of preferences to criteria for sewer basins with different classifications indicate that the model is replicable for small municipalities. Thus, the study contributes to the optimization of decision-making for sewage treatment systems, allowing the better use of resources, the reduction of vulnerabilities, and promotion of municipal development.

Analysis of The Urbanization Expansion Process After the Implementation of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul Campus in The City of Realeza-PR

Objective: This study uses remote sensing to map the urban expansion of Realeza-PR with the implementation of the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS) campus, and changes in land use and occupation. Theoretical Framework: Currently, 54% of the world's population is urban, with a forecast of 68% by 2050. To mitigate the impacts of urbanization, urban planning is increasingly on the agenda. Universities are important drivers of the process of physical growth and economic and social development. Method: Bibliographic sources and maps produced and processed in QGIS software were used to identify land use classes based on images from 2009, 2017 and 2024 from the RapidEye satellite. Results and Discussion: Between 2010 and 2022, there was a population increase of 17.80% in the municipality. The images showed urban expansion directed towards the south of the city, where the UFFS was installed, with, between 2009 and 2017, a reduction of 1.74 km² in forest areas and 5.67 km² in soil areas, and an increase of 1.08 km² of asphalt areas, 0.72 km² of grass and 2.15 km² of buildings. Research Implications: The study reveals the impact of the campus on the urban expansion of Realeza, highlighting the effectiveness of QGIS and satellite images for an accurate diagnosis of land use. Originality/Value: This study evaluates the impact of implementing a higher education institution on the urban development of small and medium-sized municipalities, and in the Brazilian context no similar relevant works were found.

Regional Development Of Municipalities With A Population Of 10 To 30 Thousand In The North-Eastern And South-Eastern Planning Regions Of Bulgaria

This article is devoted to assessing and analyzing the development of municipalities from 10 to 30 thousand people in the Bulgarian Northeast and Southeast regions on level 2. At the beginning, a characterization of the ongoing processes and the importance of the regionalization process for the spatial development of individual territories is presented, the purpose of the article is formed, and the leading task is to make a statistical analysis of leading socio-ideographic indicators that bring to the fore the characteristics of these territorial units and present to our attention their state. It is important to be able, based on the assessment of the situation and the reference to expert assessment, to take the appropriate measures and sets of actions to promote the regional economic development of these municipalities. Comparing municipalities in these two regions, the southwest and south-central areas of the country emerge as the richest and most developed regions regarding household income, techno-social equipment, and endowed and economic potential. The analyses revealed several detailed aspects of the typology of problems specific to the various municipalities, which can be examined in more detail in another study. The conclusion draws relevant recommendations for improving regional development in these territories.

Assessing the Consequences of Natural Disasters on Sustainability in Rural Municipalities: Evidence from Loška Dolina

Abstract This study examines the impact of natural disasters on the sustainable development of the rural municipality of Loška Dolina, focusing on the 2014 ice storm and subsequent floods. Through semi-structured interviews with seven key stakeholders, including local government, civil protection, and affected individuals, the research analyzes the disasters' effects on the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability. The ice storm damaged forests and infrastructure, while floods caused soil contamination and habitat disruption. Despite these challenges, the community showed resilience and increased climate awareness. The SWOT analysis highlights both opportunities in the timber industry and challenges in disaster preparedness. The study emphasizes integrating disaster risk reduction into sustainable development planning.

The role of the Modern Cities Program in the renewal of the cultural and creative sector

The Modern Cities Program is the largest-scale urban development effort in the history of the country, with which the Government of Hungary aims to promote the simultaneous development of municipalities at the same hierarchical level. Its projects focus on the preservation of intangible and tangible cultural heritage, the transformation of urban public spaces and green areas into community spaces, the creation of institutions for sports and recreational activities, research and development, digitalization, projects for innovative and creative professionals, and public educational and cultural institutions. The study aims to analyze the funding granted for developing the cultural and creative sector of cities with county rights through the Modern Cities Program in the period 2016–2025, by comparing the size of their population, their strategic importance in regional economic policy and the relationship between the value of the cultural heritage with the amount of funding received. The paper unveils the distribution of grants over time and space, the modalities and proportion of grants, and the way the cities that has received grants align with the national strategy. This will also reveal a shift in the regional importance of the cities and their relationship. Until February 2024, the Government of Hungary has contributed more than HUF 322.6 billion (809.5 million EUR) to the implementation of 98 cultural and creative projects in 22 cities with county rights through its urban development support program that has been established for the development and regeneration of cities with county rights and to counter the dominance of the capital.

Improving the budgetary policy of municipalities

The subject of the study is financial relations of municipalities in terms of income generation. The purpose of the article is to disclose and justify measures to increase fairness of the distribution of personal income tax by fixing the share of such a tax for the municipality in which the citizen lives but does not work. The research methods are general scientific (analysis, synthesis, deduction, classification, work with sources) and empirical ones (horizontal analysis). The article considers the problem of imbalance of local budgets caused by pendulum migration and, consequently, by outflow of income from municipalities. An information and software solution has been proposed to ensure the fair distribution of part of the personal income tax between municipalities by the place of residence and work of taxpayers. The logical model of the proposed solution and necessary changes in legislation for its implementation are described. The scope of application is the budget system of the Russian Federation, namely the spheres of municipal finance. Further research should be aimed at identifying additional reserves for strengthening the financial autonomy of municipalities. The expected results of the work include improving the financial situation of the population, optimising the budget system and leveling the level of development of municipalities. The importance of the proposed solution for balanced regional development and improving the quality of life of citizens is emphasised.

Urban Development Challenges and Solutions in Indian Municipalities

India’s rapid urbanization has brought about significant transformations in its municipalities, posing both opportunities and challenges. Urban areas now serve as economic and cultural hubs, yet they grapple with issues such as inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, socio-economic disparities, and governance inefficiencies. This research investigates the key challenges faced by Indian municipalities in their pursuit of sustainable urban development and explores viable solutions to address these issues. The study identifies critical challenges, including unplanned urban sprawl, traffic congestion, housing shortages, waste management inefficiencies, and the strain on water and energy resources. It highlights the impact of these issues on public health, quality of life, and economic productivity. Furthermore, the research delves into institutional and governance hurdles, such as fragmented policy implementation, financial constraints, and limited citizen participation. To address these challenges, the study proposes a multi-pronged approach emphasizing integrated urban planning, smart city initiatives, and publicprivate partnerships (PPPs). It advocates for adopting sustainable practices such as green infrastructure, renewable energy, and efficient waste recycling systems. The research underscores the importance of community engagement and participatory governance models in fostering inclusivity and accountability. Additionally, case studies of successful interventions from Indian and global contexts are analyzed to derive best practices and scalable solutions. The findings underscore that sustainable urban development in Indian municipalities requires a collaborative effort involving government bodies, private stakeholders, and civil society. By aligning urban growth with the principles of environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic resilience, Indian municipalities can overcome their current challenges and pave the way for a sustainable urban future. This research provides actionable insights and policy recommendations that can guide decision-makers and urban planners in their efforts to build resilient and thriving cities.

LE GRAND BASCULEMENT DE LA VIOLENCE

The article is based on original maps produced using data from the Atlas of Violence published by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) and the Brazilian Public Security Forum, showing huge spatial differences in the distribution of homicides. They associate the number of homicides recorded in each of the country's municipalities (represented by the size of the proportional circles) and the proportion of these homicides in relation to the municipal population (represented by a color gradation), while the background map is colored according to the municipal development index calculated by Firjan. The map drawn for the year 2021 confirms a clear evolution in relation to previous situations (1989, 1999, 2009 and 201), a shift in crime towards the Northeast and North regions, while the number and proportion of homicides in the population fell rapidly in the main capitals of the Southeast. Keywords: Violence, Movement, Crime.

МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЙ ПОДХОД К КОМПЛЕКСНОЙ ОЦЕНКЕ ПАРАМЕТРОВ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ СТЕЙКХОЛДЕРОВ В ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОСРЕДЕ ДЛЯ СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЯ СТРАТЕГИИ РАЗВИТИЯ МОНОПРОФИЛЬНОГО МУНИЦИПАЛИТЕТА

The scientific article reveals the features of improving the strategy of socio-economic development of municipalities. The role of the digital eco-environment for stimulating the development opportunities of a single-industry municipal territory in the context of key determinants is revealed. The characteristics of promising forms of stakeholder interaction in the digital eco-environment of a single-industry municipality are presented and their leading groups are highlighted. The author's vision regarding the formation of a range of analytical indicators that can be ap-plied in order to assess the effectiveness of stakeholders' activities in the digital eco-environment of the territory is revealed. Special attention is paid to promising aspects of the digital development of single-industry municipal formations, which take into account current challenges and opportunities for qualitative transformations of conditions for living citizens, as they are aimed at improving the quali-ty and standard of living of citizens. The conclusion is made about the special importance of taking into account the opinion of stakeholders to improve the stages of goal-setting at all stages of the implementation of the strategy of socio-economic development of territories at the municipal level.

Promising Directions of Economic Development of Rural Areas: The Case of the Republic of Crimea

Introduction. Rural areas represent significant strategic potential for the socio-economic development of the country. In recent years, the role of the state in planning territorial development has increased significantly. This is due to successful experience in designing territorial and sectoral development in difficult periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical crises, financing and monitoring infrastructure projects that are important for the economy and society. The subject of the study are rural areas localized in the space of one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which recently became part of the state – the Republic of Crimea. The purpose of the article is to substantiate promising directions for the economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea based on the construction of a structural and sectoral profile. Materials and Methods. The research materials were the scientific results of leading scientists studying the problems of the economy of rural areas, structural and sectoral transformations on a regional and municipal levels. The information base of the study was made up of official statistical data of Rosstat and Crimea, official websites of governmental bodies of the Russian Federation, and archival materials. The research was conducted using content analysis of scientific literature, retrospective and structural analysis. Results. Structural and sectoral profiles of the economy of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea for 2017 and 2022 were developed, which allowed to prove the presence of processes of structural and sectoral changes, identify key factors and justify promising directions for further development. The authors prove that against the background of ongoing changes in the economic space of rural areas of Crimea, the dominance of agricultural production based on the use of unique natural factors, resources and conditions (climate, soil fertility, availability of centuries-old technologies for growing agricultural products, etc) remains. Discussion and Conclusion. The decrease in the share of agricultural production in the sectoral structure of the economy of rural territories (municipalities) of the Republic of Crimea is the most significant for the period 2017–2022, which is primarily due to the following factors: strengthening of transport, logistics and recreational and resort functions of the region, development of other types of material production. Analysis of the structural and sectoral profile proves the sustainability of the development of rural municipalities of the Republic of Crimea, due to the focus on the needs of both visitors and local population. It is advisable to use the research results in the development of strategies, plans, projects for the socio-economic development of rural territories, municipalities and regions.

Strategic planning of municipal development: Methodological approaches to determining growth areas

Strategic planning of municipal development: Methodological approaches to determining growth areas

Cultural Heritage, Migration, and Land Use Transformation in San José Chiltepec, Oaxaca

Indigenous communities worldwide face increasing challenges from modernization, migration, and economic pressures, which threaten their traditional agricultural systems and cultural heritage. These dynamics often lead to shifts in land use, the erosion of ancestral knowledge, and the weakening of cultural identity. Understanding how these communities adapt to such changes is crucial for sustainable development. This research examines how indigenous communities, particularly San José Chiltepec in Oaxaca, balance the preservation of cultural heritage with adapting to evolving agricultural practices and land use transformations. It emphasizes the critical role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable land management and the importance of cultural identity amidst socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating geostatistical data, spatial analysis, and qualitative insights from municipal development plans and community-based observations. This provided a detailed understanding of how local conditions and external forces shape land use and conservation. The findings reveal that, while irrigated agriculture and pasturelands have declined, the community has shown resilience through the preservation of seasonal farming and the expansion of secondary vegetation. San José Chiltepec serves as a model for how indigenous communities can maintain cultural and environmental heritage while adapting to modern economic challenges.

The impact of accessibility changes on local development: A spatial approach

Throughout the years, the European Commission has allocated significant financial resources to road infrastructure construction, based on the belief that it would boost, socioeconomic development. However, literature evidence shows it is not consensual whether those investment policies will yield the expected outcomes. The main goal of this work is to shed light on where, and to what extent, accessibility changes due to road infrastructure construction might contribute to boost socioeconomic development at the municipal scale and regional cohesion, resorting to a case study consisting of the municipalities located in the Center Region of Portugal. The analysis uses spatial statistical methods and considers both space and time-lagged variables simultaneously, while controlling for endogeneity, spatial autocorrelation and demographic variables. Results show that accessibility changes induced by 20 years of road infrastructure construction had, in general, a positive impact on the development of the Center Region municipalities. However, depending on how accessibility is defined, negative impacts were also reported, as well as impacts that depend on geographic location. It is suggested that these latter impacts might be related to population migration within the Center Region. Concerning cohesion, no significant impacts of accessibility changes were found.

Long-term population development of the South Bohemian municipalities from 1869 to 2021 in the perspective of selected factors

Long-term population development of the South Bohemian municipalities from 1869 to 2021 in the perspective of selected factors

Алгоритм принятия управленческих решений в органах государственного и муниципального управления

The article examines the problems of choosing the optimal management solution in the implementation of state and municipal management. One of the options offered as a solution is to use the method of assessing profitability and risk in assessing the objectives of municipal development programs

Mоdel for Analysis and Evaluation of Sustainable Cities in Bulgaria in the Context of Local Public Policy Appliance

In recent years, the digitalization of the economy and the increasing demand for resources have created several challenges for developing countries, their regions, and urban agglomerations. Therefore, many governments have undertaken significant changes in the policies applied to developing regions and cities. These new concepts are aimed at gradually building sustainable and smart cities. This is the response of countries to new challenges such as the digital environment, combating climate change, and maintaining favorable living conditions due to the strong environmental and socio-economic degradation. In this regard, the authors set as their main research objective to analyze and assess the sustainability of cities and the surrounding territory by implementing sustainable development policies at all levels. A major task and difficulty for the authors is to build upon and refine a model that can be used to assess sustainable and smart cities. In this paper, the authors propose an approach to studying sustainable cities, thus evaluating the effects of policies implemented in this field. The model includes the main groups of indicators that are used to analyze the sustainable and smart development of municipalities in the Northeast region of Bulgaria. Based on these indicators, data is collected, and processed, and comparative and statistical analysis is carried out to assess their sustainability and intelligence. The authors reach important conclusions such as an unsatisfactory level of sustainable and intelligent development, although the environment and conditions at the national level are favorable. In fact, in Bulgaria, based on the assessment of the studied municipalities in the Northeast region, it is clear that we cannot talk about sustainable cities because Bulgarian municipalities are still at the beginning of this development path.

LOCAL FINANCES IN WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES: FOCUS ON OWN -SOURCE REVENUES AND CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

This study examines the fiscal dynamics of local governments’ finances in the Western Balkan countries, focusing on their own source revenues and capital investments, made from the municipalities. While spending for capital investment has increased in nominal terms, the share of municipal spending on capital investments has been downwardly unstable over the past 16 years. In addition to central government transfers, several significant factors contribute to the determination of municipal own-source revenues, including central and local public investment, current expenditures, and municipal development index. The study reveals that capital investment depends on its own source revenues or capital transfers from the central government, where local capital expenditure emerges as a robust determinant, exerting a stronger influence on municipal fiscal autonomy compared to central government investments. This finding underscores the importance of local capital expenditure in enhancing fiscal independence at the local level. This research emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of investment allocation, development indicators, and promoting local revenue mobilization. The findings suggest that enhancing local fiscal autonomy requires a shift in policy focus towards stimulating local capital expenditure and prioritizing human development. By identifying the factors that influence municipal own-source revenues, this study provides valuable insights for local management in strengthening the financial capacities of local governments in the Western Balkan countries.