Urban environment design based on a producer approach to the development of small towns

Abstract

The paper examines the problem of small towns degradation and substantiates the necessity of applying a new managerial approach — the producer model — for their sustainable development. The relevance of the topic is driven by the persistence of negative trends, such as population outflow, economic stagnation, and the loss of cultural identity in small towns, despite the implementation of state programmes. The aim of the research is to analyze the conceptual foundations of designing a comfortable urban environment for small towns based on the principles of producing. The study reveals the essence of the producer approach, which implies a transition from administrative management to the creation and implementation of an integrated territorial “product”. Key principles of the approach are identified: forming the city's unique selling proposition, implementing participatory design with resident involvement, and applying project management and crowdfunding tools. The stages of implementing the producer model and the expected results are outlined, including the creation of economic growth points, increased investment attractiveness, and the formation of a comfortable, distinctive urban environment. The novelty of the approach lies in adapting producing tools, characteristic of creative industries, to the practice of urban development for small towns. The practical significance is that the proposed mechanisms can be used by municipal government bodies and investment-construction companies to develop and implement effective territorial development strategies.