Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches
Changes in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to t...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/167 |
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| author | Jiří Dušek |
| author_facet | Jiří Dušek |
| author_sort | Jiří Dušek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Changes in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to the merging and division of municipalities in selected European states and to identify factors influencing the success of these reforms. The research uses a combination of comparative analyses of legislative frameworks, socio-economic conditions, and case studies and works with data from official statistics, scholarly literature, and reports on the implementation of reforms. The main findings show that some states, such as Denmark, achieve significant improvements in efficiency through the merging of municipalities, while others, such as France, prefer the preservation of smaller municipalities in order to maintain local identity and community ties. Reform processes often face cultural and political obstacles, and their success depends on a combination of voluntary approaches, financial incentives, and effective communication with the public. The study concludes that the key to effective governance is the balance between the need to optimize public services and the preservation of local specificities. These findings provide important guidance for further reform processes in the European context and can contribute to the sustainable development of regions as well as to the greater satisfaction of the population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03da2c05d88f4c8d80963dbd05503844 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-03da2c05d88f4c8d80963dbd055038442025-01-24T13:38:10ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-0114116710.3390/land14010167Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform ApproachesJiří Dušek0Department of Management of Public Administration, The College of European and Regional Studies, Žižkova tř. 1632/5b, 370 01 Ceske Budejovice, Czech RepublicChanges in the number of municipalities and their administrative organization represent one of the central themes of European public administration, reflecting historical context, demographic changes, economic pressures, and technological progress. The aim of this study is to analyse approaches to the merging and division of municipalities in selected European states and to identify factors influencing the success of these reforms. The research uses a combination of comparative analyses of legislative frameworks, socio-economic conditions, and case studies and works with data from official statistics, scholarly literature, and reports on the implementation of reforms. The main findings show that some states, such as Denmark, achieve significant improvements in efficiency through the merging of municipalities, while others, such as France, prefer the preservation of smaller municipalities in order to maintain local identity and community ties. Reform processes often face cultural and political obstacles, and their success depends on a combination of voluntary approaches, financial incentives, and effective communication with the public. The study concludes that the key to effective governance is the balance between the need to optimize public services and the preservation of local specificities. These findings provide important guidance for further reform processes in the European context and can contribute to the sustainable development of regions as well as to the greater satisfaction of the population.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/167Europeinter-municipal cooperationregionregional development |
| spellingShingle | Jiří Dušek Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches Land Europe inter-municipal cooperation region regional development |
| title | Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches |
| title_full | Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches |
| title_fullStr | Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches |
| title_short | Transformation of Settlement Structures in Europe: Trends, Challenges, and Reform Approaches |
| title_sort | transformation of settlement structures in europe trends challenges and reform approaches |
| topic | Europe inter-municipal cooperation region regional development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/167 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jiridusek transformationofsettlementstructuresineuropetrendschallengesandreformapproaches |