Medium-sized Town Research Articles

Protective and risk factors for social withdrawal in adolescence. A mixed-method study of Italian students’ wellbeing

AbstractThis research project is aimed at identifying risk and protective factors of social withdrawal, by studying some areas of young people's psychological wellbeing. The study took place in a medium-sized town in the north-west of Italy. A total of 1,102 students participated in the study. An online survey was sent to all the students attending the second year of local high schools, then the results were combined with those from two focus groups involving young people and adults. The findings indicate that socio-cultural factors may be the reasons why social disengagement is so widespread. The societal pressure to be successful in every life domain may push young people, unable to conform, out of the competition. Bullying, negative school experiences and stress are associated with an over-investment of time on the internet, a harbinger of social isolation. This study's findings suggest the need to plan student initiatives, to identify the warning signals of the phenomenon.

Urban-Rural Differences in Children's and Adolescent's Physical Activity and Screen-Time Trends Across 15 Years.

Urban and rural areas have been experiencing major demographic and structural changes, characterized by an aging population in rural areas and a growth of cities in number and size. However, it is poorly researched how children's physical activity and screen time developed in urban and rural areas. To address this deficit, we investigated physical activity and screen-time trends in Germany's pediatric population across four urbanicity levels (rural, small town, medium-sized town, city). We obtained weighted data at three cross-sectional timepoints between 2003 and 2017, representative for Germany's child and adolescent population. Physical activity and screen time were self-reported. We analyzed trends using a structural equation modeling framework for the overall sample and calculated interactions between the trends and age and gender, respectively. In total, 12,161 children and adolescents between 4 and 17 years participated in the study. Children and adolescents in rural areas experienced a downward trend in total physical activity. Outdoor play and leisure-time physical activity decreased across all areas, with the strongest decline in rural areas. Computer and gaming time increased across all areas except for cities, with the sharpest increase in rural areas. The decline in outdoor play and the incline in computer and gaming time were driven by adolescents. Females showed stronger increases in computer and gaming time than males. Our findings suggest that in a representative sample of children and adolescents in Germany, detrimental trends in children's physical activity and screen time occur at a higher rate in rural areas compared with urban environments. This provides critical information for health policy: While all children and adolescents should be targeted for physical activity promotion, a special focus should be on tailoring interventions for rural areas to prevent and mitigate inequalities in physical activity across urban and rural areas.

Gunshots, Sociability and Community Defence. Shooting Associations in Imperial Germany and its Colonies

Shooting associations represented one of the most popular expressions of sociability in Imperial Germany. Their club houses were to be found in large and medium-sized towns, in villages, and in overseas colonies, too. Middle class men would regularly gather to practice shooting and to organize competitions, activities characterized by clearly gendered rituals of social life. Based on values of loyalty to the Emperor and to fellow members, association life closely reflected the ideological agenda of the protestant Kaiserreich. Their popularity and pervasiveness earned shooting associations a place in George Mosse's groundbreaking work on the nationalization of the masses. Nevertheless, they have been mostly neglected in research on bourgeois sociability and on militarism. This article is the first scholarly attempt to study this form of associationism in Imperial Germany and its colonies. Having developed out of the old tradition of civic militias, shooting societies lost their primary policing and military function during the 19th century. However, community defence remained an essential task, which was viewed then as a moral and civil, rather than military, matter. The article examines the cultural and social aspects of shooting societies and relates this form of associationism to wider issues of military culture in the Kaiserreich.

Linking Cultural Built Heritage and Sustainable Urban Development

Local cultural heritage is now recognised as a factor in locational attractiveness and quality of life. Cultural heritage can also strengthen a sense of place, which can be a prerequisite for empowering citizens for sustainability transformations. Nevertheless, the specific cultural heritage of small and medium-sized towns is underrepresented in common surveys and policies. This article traces the collaborative development of regional and local strategies for the protection and valorisation of built cultural heritage in the German-Polish border region. The basis for these strategies were five hypotheses that brought together knowledge about development dynamics in small and medium-sized towns, their specific quality of life and aspects of cultural heritage. These hypotheses were discussed and reflected upon in the ten German and Polish towns and condensed into location-specific approaches.

Destinations fostering older adults\u2019 walking for transport: a cross-sectional study from Germany

BackgroundHaving destinations within walking distance can encourage older people to walk. Yet, not all destinations may be equally important. Little is known about the types of destinations fostering older adults’ walking for transport in small and medium-sized towns and rural communities. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between the availability of different destinations and walking for transport among older adults living in communities with less than 100,000 inhabitants.MethodsBetween May and September 2019, self-reported data from 2242 older adults (≥ 65 years) living in the Metropolitan Region Northwest (Germany) were collected within the project AFOOT – Securing urban mobility of an aging population. Data from 2137 study participants were eligible for this analysis. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the perceived destination availability of 19 different destinations within a 20-min or 10-min walk from home, respectively, and the engagement in walking for transport. Crude and adjusted models were run separately for each destination and distance category. Exploratory subgroup analyses examined the associations between the availability of destinations within a 20-min walk from home and walking for transport stratified by gender, use of a walking aid, and car availability.ResultsThe availability of each of the investigated destinations within a 20-min walk and of nearly all of these destinations within a 10-min walk from home was significantly positively associated with walking for transport in crude models. Most associations remained significant after adjustment for covariates. The strongest associations were found for the availability of small stores, pharmacy, and bakery. The availability of a bus stop showed the weakest associations and was not significantly associated with walking for transport after adjustment for covariates.ConclusionsThe provision of local amenities within walking distance may be a promising approach to foster older adults’ walking for transport in smaller communities with less than 100,000 inhabitants and to enable active and healthy aging in place. Further quantitative and qualitative research is needed to validate these findings and to better understand older adults’ walking behavior.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and importance of population size assessment in smaller cities: An exploratory case study from two municipalities in Latvia

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has regained global importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mobility of people and other factors, such as precipitation and irregular inflow of industrial wastewater, are complicating the estimation of the disease prevalence through WBE, which is crucial for proper crisis management. These estimations are particularly challenging in urban areas with moderate or low numbers of inhabitants in situations where movement restrictions are not adopted (as in the case of Latvia) because residents of smaller municipalities tend to be more mobile and less strict in following the rules and measures of disease containment. Thus, population movement can influence the outcome of WBE measurements significantly and may not reflect the actual epidemiological situation in the respective area. Here, we demonstrate that by combining the data of detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA copy number, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) analyses in wastewater and mobile call detail records it was possible to provide an accurate assessment of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in towns that are small (COVID-19 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.609 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.89, p < 0.05) and medium-sized towns (COVID-19 21-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, 28-day cumulative incidence r = 0.98 and 35-day cumulative incidence r = 0.997, p < 0.05). This is the first study demonstrating WBE for monitoring COVID-19 outbreaks in Latvia. We demonstrate that the application of population size estimation measurements such as total 5-HIAA and call detail record data improve the accuracy of the WBE approach.

Socioeconomic Status, Cultural Capital, and Social Capital in Adults: A Structural Equation Model.

Sociocultural level (SCL) comprises Socioeconomic Status (SES), Cultural Capital (CC), and Social Capital (SC). The relationships between all SCL dimensions have never been investigated. This study aimed to develop a structural equation model representing how age affects the relationships between educational level, occupational prestige (as a measure of SES), CC, and SC for men and women. SES, dimensions of CC and SC were measured with valid scales for 654 adults (63% female) aged 19 to 74 years ( M[SD] = 42.86 [13.32]), that had or used to have an occupation and the majority of whom had at least a university degree (65%). All lived in a medium-sized town in Italy. Age affected the interrelated indicators of SES (educational level and occupational prestige), which in turn affected the interrelated dimensions CC and SC (CFI = .97; RMSEA = .073 [CI = .053 - .095]; SRMR = 0.031). The system of relationships was simpler in men than in women, with educational level being less relevant in affecting the other constructs. The hierarchical structure of SCL and effect of age and gender must be properly taken into account in studies on the effects of SCL on human behavior.

Using Indicators to Evaluate Cultural Heritage and the Quality of Life in Small and Medium-Sized Towns: The Study of 10 Towns from the Polish-German Borderland

Cultural built heritage (CBH) is one of the most important cultural assets that affect the quality of life (QoL) in cities, and it is especially significant in small and medium-sized towns that lack some other advantages of larger urban centres. However, in quality of life studies, CBH is often neglected or treated superficially. This is probably due to the lack of a universal method developed to study their mutual interdependence based on a set of proven, objective indicators. This paper presents the authors’ attempt to fill this methodological gap by developing a set of indicators that would make it possible to assess the relationship between QoL and CBH. The study focused on historic small and medium-sized towns, located peripherally on the borderlands between Poland and Germany, since it was considered that especially for such towns, the architectural and urban heritage can appear as a crucial factor in improving the quality of life. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the mutual relationship between the phenomenon of QoL and CBH, a triangulation of research methods has been adopted: first, a literature review, where indicators were sought; second, semi-structured interviews and workshops with selected experts; and third, focus-group studies in 10 pilot locations. The analysis yielded quantitative and qualitative indicators in each set, allowing for the measurement of the mutual relationship between QoL and CBH. The set offered a total of 20 indicators developed specifically for small and medium-sized towns, and despite certain limitations, it can be considered universal and can also be applied to other urban centres. Furthermore, the study identified the five distinct spheres in which the relationship between QoL and CBH can be observed and analysed. This typology can be used as a background for deeper studies at specific sites, regardless of their size and location.

Livestock ecosystem services and disservices in a medium-sized South African town

ABSTRACT Production of livestock in urban spaces is a common phenomenon globally, particularly in the Global South. Livestock provides multiple benefits to society yet its production in urban spaces can result in adverse impacts to residents that can trigger conflicts. Understanding of the ecosystem services and disservices of livestock from the perspectives of residents can inform inclusive local management plans. Using household surveys and key informant interviews, this study sought to examine the contribution of livestock to owners, and perceptions of livestock services and disservices among non-livestock owners and key informants in Makhanda, a medium-sized South African town. Livestock owners derived multiple benefits from their livestock, including provisioning services such as meat, milk, skins and draught, and use livestock and livestock products in cultural activities such as rituals, bride price payments and funerals that are key elements of local identity. Among residents, there were marked differences in perceptions on the services and disservices of livestock which points to potential conflicts over urban land use and the need for addressing trade-offs. A key trade-off for local municipal authorities is addressing hunger and poverty by supporting well-regulated urban livestock production versus managing potential livestock disservices such as injuries to humans, livestock-vehicle collisions, health hazards and damage to urban green infrastructure. The trade-offs should be understood and considered by local authorities and residents as a basis for collectively developing strategies that can integrate livelihoods and cultural realities to balance competing demands for urban spaces including livestock production and other uses.

The effect of cosmetic surgery on mental self-image and life satisfaction in women undergoing breast augmentation: An intermediate role of evaluating the surgery as one of the most important life events

To estimate changes in self-perception and satisfaction in women undegoing breast augmentation surgery (BAS). Using a quasi-experimental questionnaire study design, we enrolled a cohort of BAS women treated at a private clinic during a 5-year interval. The primary predictor variable was treatment (before/after). The main outcome variables included effect of considering breast augmentation as one of the most important life events on self-image (BAOMILE), and subjective evaluation of physical appearance and life satisfaction. Other study variables were demographic data. The Mann-Whitney and the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare the outcomes between before and after the surgery. The Spearman rank correlation and the Pearson chi-squared test were computed to analyze the relationships among variables. The sample consisted of 53 subjects (52.3% married; 40.9% from medium-sized towns) with a mean age of 33.2±6.4 years (range, 21-46). Life satisfaction was significantly increased after BAS in the whole cohort (preop., 7.83vs. postop., 8.42; P=.003; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.22) as well as in the BAOMILE subgroup (preop., 7.87vs. postop., 8.56; P=.011; 95% CI, -1.20 to -0.17). Within the BAOMILE subgroup, there was a positive correlation between the appearance assessment and the number of positive traits before surgery (ρ=0.63; P=.002; 95% CI, 0.27-0.83) and life satisfaction after surgery (ρ=0.480; P=.03; 95% CI, 0.06-0.74). The results of this study suggest that BAS improves self-perception and life satisfaction of the patients. The psychologist's role in understating patient's motivation for cosmetic surgery and the revision of their attitudes towards expected effects require further investigations.

Trees stocks in domestic gardens and willingness to participate in tree planting initiatives in low-cost housing areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Increasing human populations and rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa have prompted the development and maintenance of urban green infrastructure, including urban trees for sustainability, human wellbeing, liveability and climate resilience. However, there are still insufficient amounts and large inequities in the distribution of trees between and within towns and cities of the Global North and South. In South Africa, urban green space planning and planting are encoded in several policies at national level. However, these policies are rarely translated into specific guides, standards or actions, and consequently disparities in urban trees and green space distribution persist. This study assessed the prevalence of urban trees in domestic gardens in low-cost housing areas (LCHAs) of eight small to medium-sized towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and examined residents’ perceptions in this regard. This was done via surveys with 800 households in old and recently developed LCHAs. The results revealed that most households (52 %) had at least one tree in their yard, with more households in the older neighbourhoods (60 %) reporting having trees than in the newer ones (44 %). Most of the trees (66 %) had been deliberately planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Experience of formal urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future, preferably in tree planting and maintenance. Urban green spaces and trees cannot be an afterthought in the development of sustainable human settlements, and municipal plans should reflect tangible commitments in this regard. Meeting goals for greener LCHAs requires the involvement of local residents, and for municipal authorities to be receptive to the wishes of residents and willingness to green their residential areas.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО ПОКРОВА МАЛЫХ И СРЕДНИХ ГОРОДОВ РОССИИ: СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ

In the review article, the authors give the analysis of scientific publications related to the study of vegetation in small and medium-sized Russian towns over the past 10 years. The main topical areas in which research is currently being carried out include the study of urban flora, analysis of plantings state, assessment of the vegetation state as an indicator of the urban environment quality (bio-indication), selection of trees assortment for urban andscape design and introduction of species, the features of landscaping in different natural conditions, and the formation of urban ecological framework. It is noted the fragmentary nature of vegetation studies in small and medium-sized towns of Russia, not being conducted in most regions at all. There predominate empirical studies focused on describing the state of the vegetation cover in separate towns. Comprehensive research is not carried out widely. It is mainly used the inventory research methods. In the publications, there are no vegetation maps for small and medium-sized towns. Furthermore, there is no retrospective analysis of the urban flora and vegetation transformation. The authors of the most publications note the prevalence of inherited problems in the state of urban green spaces in the country, caused by the planning spontaneity in the Soviet period, the failure to incorporate environmental factors into the urban development planning, including the location of industrial enterprises, as well as the lack of programs for the development of green urban infrastructure, the perception of green plantings as an element of land improvement, rather than an environmentally significant factor.

The prevalence, composition and distribution of forageable plant species in different urban spaces in two medium-sized towns in South Africa

Globally, the importance of urban vegetation in the quality and maintenance of life in urban areas is increasingly recognized. As the basis of urban green infrastructure, urban vegetation provides a diversity of ecosystem services, including provisioning services. However, there is limited understanding of the potential of urban vegetation as a supply of forageable resources within urban landscapes. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of forageable plant species across different spaces in the towns of Potchefstroom and Thabazimbi, South Africa. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for selecting study sites, with a total of 136 plots sampled. In total, 88 plant species (foraged and forageable) were encountered across the sample plots, with almost three-quarters (70%) being indigenous to South Africa. Most of the species had multiple uses, with medicine, food and firewood being the most common uses, in order of frequency. Species cover and richness significantly differed across the urban spaces, being markedly higher in protected areas as compared to other spaces. Moreover, five plant communities were identified, resembling various species uses. Overall, the findings show that the fragmented urban spaces are endowed with a diversity of forageable plant species, with many valuable to particular sectors of urban society, such as foragers. Moreover, the notable number of forageable plant species encountered across the different spaces demonstrates the potential of urban green infrastructure as a supply of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. This provides the basis for the selection of a diversity of species in urban greening programs for enhancing liveability and overall well-being in urban areas.

Are EU policies for brownfield redevelopment sufficient? A case study of Alpine industrial landscapes in the context of small and medium-sized towns

Are EU policies for brownfield redevelopment sufficient? A case study of Alpine industrial landscapes in the context of small and medium-sized towns

Analysis of a Bike-Sharing System from a Business Model Perspective

Goal: Product-service systems are innovative business models that aim to contribute to sustainability issues. Bike-sharing system is a classic example of this kind of business model. This work covers an analysis of a bike-sharing system implemented in the South of Brazil from a business model perspective by focusing on the value network. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected based on interviews with the executives of a focal company and information retrieved from other sources, e.g., company internal reports, PSS design documents, etc.). A research protocol was developed based on the literature to identify a set of variables to be interpreted. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for interviews, which was recorded for later content transcription and analysis. Results: The business model value network and mechanisms of value proposition, configuration, delivery, and value capture are described. This business model is based on a diverse value network and should be developed and updated on co-creation mechanisms to deliver more sustainable results. Limitation of the investigation: It is a single study conducted in a medium-sized town in the South of Brazil that implemented a bike-sharing system. In addition, the analyis was considered in the “problem identification phase”. Practical implications: The bike-sharing business model analysis may improve the business model towards increasing the inhabitants' quality of life as well as city image. Originality/Value: The study was conducted in a developing country, analyzing a PSS business model from a sustainable operations perspective, which is not common in the current literature.

Local investment promotion in a Hungarian medium-sized town and the implications of the COVID pandemic

Local investment promotion in a Hungarian medium-sized town and the implications of the COVID pandemic

Determination of the Typical Patterns of Medium-Sized Towns in Eastern Algeria

Determination of the Typical Patterns of Medium-Sized Towns in Eastern Algeria

Secondary towns in urban-rural linkages in East Africa. The role of SMEs and their capacity to adapt (Central Kenya)

In the densely populated regions of East Africa, small and medium-sized towns are said to play an important role in the rapidly changing urban-rural interface. They are home to many dynamic SMEs, which are active in trade and services. Yet their integration into relational systems is asymmetric: while they are central in inflows (supplying rural zones), in outflows (collecting and distributing agricultural produce) they encounter fierce competition from rural and urban stakeholders (farmers’ cooperatives, large companies, and middlemen). Through these SMEs, what is at stake is the role of secondary towns in current systems of economic and spatial integration.

The Identification of Risks for Drinking Water Intakes in Urbanized Area: The Case Study of Toruń (Central Poland)

This article discusses the problem of natural hazards connected with climatic changes and their influence on water safety. A medium-sized town in central Poland which is supplied with consumption water from both underground water intakes and surface water resources was selected as a case study. Natural hazards, such as droughts or floods, were identified and the risk of the occurrence of natural hazards concerning water supply systems assessed. The findings of the archived data analysis for the period 1971–2020 helped to identify extreme circumstances, the occurrence of which had an impact on secure water supplies in terms of quantity. Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the greatest influence had all the situations connected with the Drwęca low water discharge, which in the long term could lead to temporary water shortages. In the analyzed period, there was a significant increase in the number of days without precipitation, together with a statistically significant increase in the average annual air temperature. Meteorological hazards related to days without precipitation far outweighed the occurrence of days with intense precipitation. The analysis of water table fluctuations observed at the Jedwabno infiltration intake showed a high sensitivity of the aquifer to atmospheric conditions.

How Strong is Local Politics' Grip on Local Economic Development? The Case of Swiss Small and Medium-Sized Towns.

Economic development directly manifests itself in the form of employment at the local level. This paper examines the ability of local politics to shape this development in a competitive federalist environment by examining how local party-political developments affect local economic development in Swiss small and medium-sized towns (SMSTs). Local economic development in the form of employment is a central local policy domain in federal and polycentric Switzerland. This paper argues that party-political influence is conditional on the characteristics of four distinguished economic sectors that differ in their dependence on the regional context. By analyzing the panel data of all Swiss SMSTs, the paper finds that local party-political developments only systematically precede growth in the residential economy, while regional processes determine the economic sectors in ambiguous ways. The grip of local politics on the development of export-oriented economies therefore is not guided by party-political development and more influential at regional levels.