Research on Small and Medium-Sized Towns: Framing a New Field of Inquiry

Madeleine Wagner and Anna Growe
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Madeleine Wagner: Department of Geography, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Anna Growe: Department of Geography, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

World, 2021, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: In recent years, research and publication activity in the field of small and medium-sized cities (SMSCs) in an international context has been increasing. However, a survey of extant research remains missing. To bridge this gap, this paper presents a systematic and comprehensive review of the relevant literature revealing how various disciplines, from geography to economics, approach the topic from different perspectives, which can be related to various foci of sustainability. Empirical results show that the development and significance of SMSCs are influenced by spatial location and innovative activity, networking, and the intensity of cooperation with other cities. Additionally, transport infrastructure connections, control through network-related spatial planning approaches, and exceptional positioning of individual architectural buildings can play a decisive role. However, there is no singular understanding of SMSCs, with many different research perspectives distinguishable.

Keywords: small and medium-sized cities; disciplines; state of the art; frequency of citation; literature review; classification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jworld:v:2:y:2021:i:1:p:8-126:d:503046

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