Small towns: an important part of the Moravian settlement system

Abstract

The paper brings characteristics of Moravian towns with inhabitants below 15 thousand. The towns still play an important role in the settlement structure. Their share in the coun-try’s population remains stable. As compared with larger towns and cities, the parameters of their natural and social environments exhibit a number of advantages. The future of small towns in Moravia is discussed with impulses for the conservation of urban functions being seen in the provision of central services for rural hinterlands and in specialization. Main future significance of small Moravian towns consists in the insurance of sustainable development of Moravian countryside, in the provision of alternative life style offer for a part of the population, and in keeping up local and regional identities in the process of globalization.