Challenges of Management in Small Cities: A Comparative Analysis with Emphasis on Governance Capacities and Sustainable Development

Small towns face numerous and complex challenges in urban management, often overshadowed by the attention given to major cities. This study aims to identify and analyze the most significant management challenges in small towns, offering a comparative approach and proposing solutions to enhance the quality of urban governance. The findings indicate that the most critical challenges include limited financial and human resources, environmental vulnerability, the negative impacts of neoliberal policies, weak governance and civic participation, and unfavorable demographic trends. Key strategies to address these challenges include strengthening institutional capacity, diversifying financial resources, adopting sustainable approaches to infrastructure development, enhancing citizen participation, and implementing multi-level policies with a focus on social justice. By presenting a comprehensive framework for better understanding the dynamics of management in small towns, this paper assists policymakers and urban managers in promoting the sustainability and resilience of these cities through informed, evidence-based approaches.

کلیدواژه ها:

Urban management ، small cities ، urban governance ، sustainable urban development ، public participation