METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO ASSESSING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL TOWNS

Summary

The article examines methodological approaches to assessing the socio-economic development of small towns as an important tool for shaping effective regional policy and ensuring the sustainable development of territories. The role of small towns in the territorial organization of the economy and their importance as an intermediary link between rural communities and large administrative centers are determined. The main groups of assessment methods are analyzed, including indicator-based, integral, resource-functional, economic-mathematical, benchmarking, and sociological approaches. The need for a comprehensive combination of quantitative and qualitative tools to ensure the objectivity of assessing the development of small towns is substantiated. It is demonstrated that the use of multilevel models makes it possible to identify development disparities, determine the key factors of economic dynamics, and formulate scientifically grounded management decisions under conditions of decentralization.