Municipal Development Research Articles

Analysis of the Impact of Agriculture on the Socio-Economic Development of Municipalities

The development of agriculture plays an important role in providing the population with food. This topic is relevant in modern Russia in the context of a policy of self-sufficiency and import substitution, especially for traditionally agrarian regions. The purpose of the study is to develop a set of measures to solve the problems of the development of the agricultural sector in the MO "Kosh-Agachsky district". In preparing the article, such general scientific methods were used as: the method of analysis and synthesis, the method of comparison, the method of absolute values, relative values, the classification method, the tabular method. As a result of the conducted research, an analysis of the current state of agriculture in the MO "Kosh-Agachsky district" was performed; production by branches of agriculture was considered; problems in the development of agriculture in the Kosh-Agachsky district were found, and a set of measures for the development of the agricultural sector was developed. The conclusions noted that the production of livestock products in farms of all categories of the Ministry of Defense "Kosh-Agachsky district" showed negative dynamics. In order to eliminate the identified problems of agricultural development of the Kosh-Agachsky District MO, it was proposed: to carry out land reclamation work at the expense of state programs, subsidize transport costs, create a Collective Use Center for farmers of the Kosh-Agachsky district MO, in which it was proposed to introduce training programs, provide assistance in the delivery of feed, help to prepare farmers to apply for grant support, etc. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the results of the compiled forecast of the economic efficiency of the implementation of the proposed measures and programs of agricultural management can be used in the work of the administration of the Ministry of Defense "Kosh-Agachsky district".

MUNICIPAL STATE CAPACITIES

This research aims to analyse the relationship between the state capacities of the municipalities of the Legal Amazon region and their municipal development. It used the factorial analysis technique, which indicated the intensity of the relationship between the variables and their factors, attributing weight to the analysed variables, and through the values assigned by Stata, we created a Municipal State Capacity Index (ICEM) and then a municipal ranking of state capacities. Further, using a correlation matrix, the ICEM was correlated with the Municipal Human Development Index (HDI). When testing the model, ten variables proved adequate and could explain about 64% of the variation in municipal state capacities. We found that the municipalities of the Legal Amazon have deficit capacity indices since the municipalities with low, very low, or very low ICEM represented 62% of the analysed municipalities. In the analysis of the intensity between the ICEM and the IDHM, the correlation matrix showed positive results, meaning that when the value of a variable grows, the other also grows.

PERCEPTION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM IN THE VISION OF STAKEHOLDERS IN THE WESTERN SIERRA MORENA (ANDALUSIA, SPAIN)

Rural spaces take into account the multifunctionality of uses and economic diversification as adaptive strategies for development, while becoming areas for new socio-economic activities. Tourism is regarded as a tool for generating local development processes in this context. The goal of this study is to investigate the local development processes triggered by tourist activity in the three westernmost Nature Parks of Sierra Morena: Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche (Huelva), Sierra Norte de Sevilla (Seville) and Sierra de Hornachuelos (Cordoba). A mixed methodology was applied: (1) conducting interviews with stakeholders so as to ascertain the perception of those who participate in the development processes or influence them; (2) using secondary data to evaluate the impact of tourism on local development. The results of the work indicate that: (1) turning the areas into Nature Parks has repercussions on the tourist supply and demand; (2) the economic dimension of tourism in local development is prevalent in the dominant discourse, while expectations are not found; (3) socio-cultural impacts on the community are barely perceived by stakeholders, with few positive impacts of tourism on the local community; (4) the environmental dimension is regarded as a personal, rather than a collective matter, underestimating environmental impacts; (5) tourism development in the different municipalities and Nature Parks is irregular. In conclusion, the effect of tourism on local development processes in the study area is limited, although there are differences between municipalities and Nature Parks.

Abordagem alternativa para mensurar odesenvolvimento municipal brasileiro: o Índice Relativo de Desenvolvimento Municipal

Amartya Sen's theory of Development as Freedom states the prediction of development by evaluating the expansion of individual freedoms. This study operationalizes this theory and its instrumental freedoms through the construction of a development index and multivariate statistics. Spatiality of municipal development provides empirical evidence for interrelations between instrumental freedoms defended by this theory. The determinants of development related mainly to income and its distribution, but also housing conditions and social vulnerabilities. The findings unmask the geographic structure of (under) development in a frontier in Mid-West Brazil, marked by higher deprivation of opportunities, precarious services and greater economic stagnation.

Peasant Displacement and Food Sustainability: The Colombian Case

Social migration affects the development of rural territories in multiple ways, as it poses a threat to food security and hinders the achievement of sustainable development objectives. The purpose of this research is to represent peasant migration and measure its impact on food security, since it creates conditions that alter people’s access to healthy food. Our research question is: What variables can be used to measure the impact of peasant migration on food security? A three-stage model is implemented, which includes (i) the acquisition of knowledge, (ii) the representation of knowledge, and (iii) decision-making. These stages are the basis of the methodology developed by the ARCOSES research group (Méndez A. System Dynamics and Social Problems. Bogotá: Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, 2012). The model developed to represent peasant migration and its impact on food security has five components. The model representation was applied in 58 typical rural municipalities, observing a potential loss of 30,580,000 tons of food, which amounts to 5% of the national production. Likewise, it was observed that 70% of migrating farmers are part of the economically active population. Colombian governorships should strive towards a greater and more comprehensive development of rural municipalities in order to avoid massive displacement to urban regions, which affects the availability of rural labor, causes poor agricultural production levels and compromises food sustainability. To ensure peasants’ full access to food and their well-being, an assertive intervention should be carried out by the Colombian State.

Temporal pattern, spatial distribution, and factors associated with the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people in BrazilPatrón temporal, distribución espacial y factores asociados a la incidencia de la infección por el VIH/sida en jóvenes en Brasil

To describe temporal and spatial patterns and identify the factors associated with the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people in Brazil. Ecological study of young Brazilians aged 15-24 years with reported HIV/AIDS, from 2001 to 2021. The Joinpoint method was used for the temporal analysis. Spatial clusters were detected using Bayesian methods, spatial autocorrelation, Getis-Ord Gi*, and scan techniques. Four non-spatial and spatial regression models were used to identify factors associated with the result. All statistical analyses considered p < 0.05. In Brazil, the average incidence was 12.29 per 100 000 inhabitants, with an annual increase of 7.3% in the period 2007-2014 and a subsequent 3.4% decrease in 2014-2021. A high-high pattern and hotspots were observed, mainly in municipalities in the South, Southeast, Central-West, and North regions. The primary cluster was located in 572 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, with the highest relative risks in Manaus (Amazonas) and Rondonópolis (Mato Grosso). The illiteracy rate (β = -0.08), GINI Index (β = -3.74) and Family Health Strategy coverage (β = -0.70) were negatively associated with the result. In contrast, the Firjan Municipal Development Index (β = 2.37), Social Vulnerability Index (β = 6.30), percentage of Bolsa Família recipients (β = 0.04), and per capita income (β = 0.008) showed a positive association. There was an upward trend in the incidence of HIV/AIDS until 2014, followed by a decline until 2021. High-rate clusters were concentrated in municipalities in the North, South, Southeast and Central-West regions in particular. Indicators of socioeconomic vulnerability had positive or negative effects on the result, depending on the territory investigated.

Локальные транспортные системы российской Арктики (на примере Приморского района Архангельской области)

The article discusses the concept of transport system with a focus on the local transport system, as well as its role in the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic. The empirical study is based on the materials of expeditions that took place on the Summer and Winter shores of the Onega Peninsula, as well as on the island territories of the Primorskiy district of the Arkhangelsk Oblast. The local transport system was analyzed in terms of its elements: infrastructure, regulatory system, vehicles used, information support, informal institutional system of transport support regulation, etc. The materials obtained during the expedition were supplemented with data on the organization of transport communication, timetables, logistics, and official information on the methods of organizing navigation on the Northern Dvina River and in the White Sea. On the basis of the theory of multiscale and the analysis of empirical data, it is concluded that the local transport system is the main factor determining the scenarios of socio-economic development of municipalities in the Russian Arctic. Transport connectivity of the Arctic zone should start with transformations “from below”, from the local transport system, taking into account local knowledge and institutions. Proposals for the development of the local transport network of the Arctic region are presented.

School in the Rural Municipality as an Issue of Politics: Czech Mayors' Attitudes towards the Role and Support of the Local Elementary School

Abstract Public elementary schools in rural municipalities represent key institutional amenities for the communities they serve, and their administrations are part of the broader municipal political structure. This article focuses on the views of Czech mayors regarding the role schools play for municipalities and a consideration of how school operation practice can produce positive outcomes for school and community. Schools have proven to be important local institutions with many social functions for which municipalities have various support tools and strategies. We argue that the good functioning of the school strongly depends on the local political representation’s support. The rural school incorporates both an investment in the physical environment of the municipality and a strategic investment in the human capital for the future generations, and sustainable development of municipalities.

LEVELS DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNTAIN MUNICIPALITIES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS IN RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS [CASE STUDIES OF MUNICIPALITIES IN THE AURES REGION

The article examines the levels of development in the mountain municipalities of the Aures region and their relationship to the regional development that the region is experiencing through several indicators that we will discuss in the classification. Since the study area belongs to the Aures massif, where geographical data partially converge, the article aims to understand the elements that led to the change in the image of the (old) mountain area and led to spatial, economic, social, functional, and especially environmental transformations, which have made the region increasingly vulnerable. The regional development in the mountain areas has not been related to industrial development and local economic growth, which has made the urban growth a burden on local development in these areas rather than a factor of progress within them. After discussing the classification of the centers comprising the region, which varied in their levels according to the administrative status, the date of obtaining the promotion, the relationship of the centers to the road axes, and the origin of the establishment, we will discuss the classification of the municipalities based on a set of indicators to search for an explanation of the reality occurring in the study area. We relied on the rank correlation matrix to understand the reasons for the disparities in the level of development among municipalities and to provide analyses of the results reached. We utilized 20 indicators, and the result of development in the municipalities was varied: the municipality of Arris witnessed good development, four municipalities had acceptable development, three municipalities had development from average to weak, and three municipalities had very weak development. The disparities were large, from the highest level to the lowest level of development. Several factors and reasons contributed to the development of some municipalities and the marginalization of others.

Residents’ perceptions of sustainable heritage tourism development in a rural municipality

ABSTRACT This research investigates the perceptions of rural communities in the Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa, towards sustainable heritage tourism development. It aims to comprehend local attitudes by analysing community views, recognising benefits and challenges, and assessing the potential for sustainable practices. The study, utilising a quantitative approach through a structured survey, reveals diverse opinions among rural residents. While acknowledging tourism's positive economic and cultural prospects, concerns arise about environmental impact and traditional lifestyle disruptions. The paper's significance lies in its distinct focus on rural communities, expanding beyond urban-centric research. It enriches the sustainable tourism discourse by presenting local perspectives and suggesting strategies aligning community aspirations with tourism development goals. Overall, the research highlights the necessity of involving and empowering rural communities, advocating for context-specific approaches that harmonise tourism growth with the preservation of rural heritage. This study provides crucial insights for policymakers and stakeholders shaping effective and inclusive strategies for sustainable heritage tourism development in rural areas.

Оценка асимметрии социально-экономического развития муниципальных образований на региональном уровне

The Russian economy at the current stage of its development is characterized by a high level of asymmetry in the socio-economic development of regions and municipalities within them. The unevenness of resources allocated to municipal entities increases their differentiation and reduces the possible development prospects for some of them. The administrative reform of local self-government, which implies the consolidation of territorial entities, has not yet yielded serious positive changes, so it is important to regularly conduct a study of the socio-economic condition of the territorial entities included in the region in order to choose the optimal ways of their development. The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the indicators of socioeconomic development of municipalities in the Stavropol Territory according to a selected group of indicators, which led to the conclusion that asymmetry is a consequence of the level of development of the territory in the region. Within the framework of the methodology used, the level of economic development of the territories under study was assessed, intermediate coefficients were calculated, and an assessment of asymmetry in the Stavropol Territory as a whole was presented. The study conducted by the authors allowed us to identify a number of important regularities of asymmetry in the socio-economic development at the regional level, and the proposed method can be further used in the development of programs for the socio-economic development of municipalities.

Renovation of the urban environment of the historical center of the city of novaya ladoga

The architectural and urban heritage of large and small Russian cities is currently not fully appreciated and used to improve the quality of life of the population. Medium and small cities of the Leningrad region have a rich natural and historical and cultural potential and need further spatial development. This work is devoted to the master planning of a fragment of the historical settlement of Novaya Ladoga in the framework of the annual competition “The Concept of Spatial Development of Municipalities of the Leningrad Region”, which was held by the Committee for Urban Planning Policy of the Leningrad Region. One of the fundamental tasks of the urban development of the territory in this case is continuity, the preservation of historical and cultural diversity and the memory of the place. The novelty of the conceptual project proposal lies in the creation of not only a coherent and integral system of public spaces at the citywide and regional levels through a system of points of attraction in order to develop tourism, but also in the formation of an identical cultural and educational cluster to increase the level of human potential of the settlement. Thus, as a result of the renovation of the urban environment, an attempt was made to link the times through the formation of a cultural and educational center and a developing modern infrastructure.

Linking Renewable Energy Projects at Municipal Level with NECP Planning and Reporting

Regarding the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) according to EU Governance Regulation, there is a disconnect between the federal and municipal levels that hinders effective planning and reporting, especially in the area of renewable energy sources (RES) where availability depends on the regional spatial conditions. The project transFORMAT-LINK addresses this challenge based on case studies and stakeholder discussions. Main results are (1) the LINK-Guideline for municipal development concepts/plans to support RES project implementation and NECP planning and reporting; (2) the LINK-Software prototype for developing and monitoring municipal development concepts/plans according to LINK-Guideline. This contribution presents an overview of preliminary results, with a focus on minimum requirements for municipal development concepts/plans under the regional spatial planning laws and how they will facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects.

Tourism planning from a rural approach as a strategy for the appropriation and defense of the territory

This study aims to analyse how a model of tourism planning from a rural community, endogenous and participatory approach can become a strategy for the appropriation and defence of the territory in the municipality of Sibaté. The methodological horizon was oriented from a qualitative approach Páramo (2013) and the method used was the ethnography of places Vergara (2013). The information was systematised and analysed using the qualitative analysis software ATLAS.ti. The findings indicate that municipal development plans can be instruments of territorial defence, to the extent that the communities, their needs and goals are integrated. It is concluded that tourism as a development model can generate significant transformations in rural territories as long as they are inclusive, concerted and participatory, in order to achieve consensus between society and nature.

Relying on LEADER? A place-based policy approach to the rural development of Finnish municipalities

In Finnish rural development, the role of municipalities has proven to be modest, even though the place-based policy approach in principle gives them an important position. The main part of municipal rural development involves cooperation with LEADER groups, to which municipalities give priority. In this study I ask: What explains the current status of municipalities in place-based rural development, that is, the dominance of LEADER and the small scale of the municipalities' own rural development? The methodology is based on critical realism, and the analysis draws from semi-structured interviews conducted in three municipalities. The aforementioned state of local rural development is called demi-regularity, which is the starting point of the research. Using a thematic analysis developed by Tom Fryer for critical realist research, the study proposes three causal explanations for this observation, namely the idea of responsible local communities, the development policy of the shrinking municipality, and the challenges of projectification. According to the findings, the increased role of villages in rural development does not necessarily support the involvement of municipalities, but rather the opposite. The study also shows that when municipalities are primarily looking for (economic) growth, they have difficulties in trusting the potential of rural areas, let alone exploiting it. On the other hand, the challenges of projectification do not characterise LEADER projects in the same way as other municipal project work, making it tempting to rely on LEADER in municipal rural development. Overall, the study shows how strongly and differently LEADER is rooted in place-based rural development in Finland. In order to bring municipalities back into the scene, a broader discussion on the actual preconditions of municipalities in place-based rural development is needed.

Approaches to the Effectiveness Assessment of Territorial Development from the Perspective of ESG-Principles

Municipal territorial management is a classic mechanism of territorial administration, which involves the nomenclature operation of existing engineering and social infrastructure facilities located in a certain area of the municipality. Such a mechanism for managing territories is characterized by relatively low economic returns, due to the limited resources of the administrative apparatus of the municipality and the complexity of the proprietary property structure of the administered territories. These factors together form a situation where municipal authorities provide the process of managing territories with standard measures to maintain urban infrastructure in a functional state, with the priority of stabilizing the socio-economic situation in the territory of the municipality. To optimize the territorial management system at the present stage of development of management mechanisms of territorial administration, comprehensive systems for assessing the development of municipalities are used, a striking example is the urban environment quality index. However, this indicator can also be used to assess the predisposition of municipal territories for the implementation of development projects based on taking into account energy stability, the natural environment and the market situation within a particular city. The article describes a conceptual model for supplementing and improving the existing system for assessing the urban environment in the form of the urban environment quality index, developed by the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the proposed mechanism for modernizing the system is to determine indicators of the stability and potential of the energy system of the municipalities under consideration, as well as their integration into the system for assessing the quality index of the urban environment from the perspective of development design, as well as assessing the development potential of the territory based on ESG-principles.

Социально-экономическое развитие территории как основной объект управления территории применительно к уровням муниципального образования

This article defines the role and importance of socio-economic development of territories. Based on the research of scientific views, the analysis of the concept itself is carried out, the main blocks of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of development are formulated. the role of municipalities is shown. The considered data allowed us to propose a new approach to understanding the socio-economic development of municipalities with an emphasis on the most significant aspects based on the prevailing financial and economic conditions and formulate the author's definition.

Polish Sceptics and Czech Optimists: Perception of the Development within Euroregion Beskydy

The openness of space is one of the fundamental ideas behind the existence of the European Union. The benefits arising from this should outweigh the disadvantages associated with it. An advantage of openness is the possibility of integrating border regions of different countries into a consistent functional whole where cross-border cooperation takes place. Resulting mechanisms can lead to endogenously driven development of the territories that are typically on the periphery of their countries. However, reality is much more diverse. This is valid also in case of Central and Eastern European countries, where general socioeconomic processes take different forms in different regions and places. The same holds true also for territorial units, such as Euroregions that represent one of the most remarkable geographical embodiments of European integration. At the same time, they constitute one of the institutionalised forms of cross-border cooperation. Euroregions bear a twofold importance in postcommunist countries that for a long time suffered from pretty limited cross-border interactions and cooperation. Our article delves into the municipalities of Euroregion Beskydy at the Polish-Czech border. The main objective of the paper is to analyse and assess strengths and weaknesses of the development as perceived by Polish and Czech municipalities in the framework of Euroregion Beskydy. The article concentrates primarily on a qualitative dimension of the whole issue. This is partly supplemented by a quantitative perspective. The investigation mirrors the state of municipalities on Czech and Polish sides of Euroregion Beskydy from the perspective of municipal managements. From the methodical perspective, the questionnaire was utilised. This allowed respondents to identify the principal strengths and weaknesses of their municipalities based on their own knowledge and perceptions. The questions had a nominal character, and by aggregating similar responses, broader, consistent categories of strengths and weaknesses were established and analyzed. Respondents could name principal strengths and weaknesses of their municipalities on the basis of their own perception. The purpose was to identify substantial developmental domains or problem characteristics in individual municipalities of the researched Euroregion. At the same, it has been found out to what extent optimistic or pessimistic moods are prevailing in individual municipalities of the Euroregion. The research question posed in the framework of this paper is as follows: what are the most frequently mentioned strengths of municipal development at Polish and Czech side of Euroregion Beskydy? The results brought an interesting difference in the perception of the municipal development within Euroregion Beskydy. Respondents on the Polish side of the Euroregion can be characterised by higher rate of scepticism when compared with their Czech counterparts. On the Czech side of the Euroregion, slightly optimistic view on municipal lives is prevailing.

Socioeconomic impact of investments from the federal highway concession program in the state of Santa Catarina

This study aims to evaluate whether federal highway concessions in Brazil have brought significant socioeconomic benefits to the population of neighboring municipalities. The impact of two highway concessions in the state of Santa Catarina was assessed, covering 28 of the 293 municipalities existing in the state in 2012. Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-differences techniques were used to calculate the impact that the concessions had on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM) of municipalities served by federal highways under concession, between 2007 and 2012. The results suggest that there was no significant impact on GDP caused by the concession. The average impact on the IFDM variable was significant, approximately 4.5%, and less developed municipalities were more positively affected by participation in the program.

IDENTIFICATION OF MOBILITY STRATEGIES FOR SMALL AND URBANIZED BRAZILIAN MUNICIPALITIES

Due to intense urbanization and inadequate planning, various mobility problems have emerged in small Brazilian municipalities. To reverse this scenario, it is necessary to adopt sustainable mobility policies. Thus, this article aims to identify mobility strategies for small and urbanized Brazilian municipalities. Firstly, based on the literature, twenty strategies were identified. Then, experts and managers evaluated these strategies to identify the most suitable ones for small municipalities. Next, the data was analyzed to measure the reliability of the responses, the correlation, and the ranking of the strategies. Finally, the most appropriate strategies were identified using Categorical Principal Component Analysis. The results indicated that the most relevant strategies to be implemented in small Brazilian municipalities are related to policy issues, promoting active transportation, and encouraging public transportation. The findings can improve public policies and transportation planning, with implications for quality of life and sustainable development in small Brazilian municipalities.