1. ESPON 1.4.1 “THE ROLE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED TOWNS (SMESTO)”
ESPON Seminar Espoo, Finland, Nov. 14th 2006
Workshop 1 on “Polycentricity as a territorial potential”
HAS CRS

2. Objectives: Can SMESTOs be standardised all over Europe?
ESPON 1.4.1: Objectives
Objectives:
Can SMESTOs be standardised all over Europe?
What are the restrictions to empirically identify SMESTOs all over Europe?
What are the main roles and functions of SMESTOs?
What are possible options for a typology of SMESTOs?
What are possible policy implications concerning SMESTOs?

3. Urban studies concentrate on large towns and cities
ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Research situation:
Urban studies concentrate on large towns and cities
There is no systematic research on SMESTOs although policy making increasingly refers to them
Statistically the material available on European level is very weak

4. Can SMESTOs be standardised all over Europe?
ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Can SMESTOs be standardised all over Europe?
5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants
(NUTS 5)
20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

5. Three step analytical approach:
ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Does it make sense to identify SMESTOs empirically on a European level?
Three step analytical approach:
1. Administrative dimension:
municipal boundaries
2. Morphological dimension:
built up-areas with less than 200m space in between buildings and 200+ inhabitants

6. ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Result: different relations between morphological SMESTOs and municipalities
Morphological SMESTOs in Austrian NUTS 3 region Klagenfurt – Villach

7. ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Is there a way to deal with the complexity of a functional characterisation of SMESTOs?
supply function
housing function
function in regional development
culture & leisure function
SMESTOs, their endowment and their commuting areas

8. Three step analytical approach: 1. Administrative dimension
ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Is there a way to deal with the complexity of a functional characterisation of SMESTOs?
Three step analytical approach:
1. Administrative dimension
2. Morphological dimension
3. Functional dimension:
adding transport network and
amenities/public services (functional potential)
calculating the effort that is necessary to reach the desired amenities/public services

9. Result: the functional potential/endowment of SMESTOs
ESPON 1.4.1: Main Findings
Result: the functional potential/endowment of SMESTOs
SMESTOs and their endowment in NUTS 3 region Klagenfurt – Villach

10. ESPON 1.4.1: Possible typologies
How can a typology of SMESTOs be achieved that can be adopted all over Europe?
spatial position
socio-economic performance
relationship morphological / administrative units
Morphological units 1 n
Administrative units
dynamic and growing
Declining
Restructuring
potential developing

11. ESPON 1.4.1: Research needs and policy recommendations
Research/ digital data needs:
maps delimiting built-up area
territorial governance levels, updated NUTS 5 map of Europe
selection and identification of amenities/public services
detailed ground transport network model
No specific European ‘SMESTO policy’, but rather an integrated approach addressing SMESTOs in:
Urban Policy
Regional Policy
Spatial Development Policy

12. ESPON 1.4.1: Research needs and policy recommendations