Regional and Urban Development - The Importance of Municipalities in the Development Process

Abstract

 This article aims to analyze the evolution of theories of regional and urban development, with emphasis on a temporal division observed from the 1970s onwards. This analysis highlights public management, particularly at the municipal level, as an essential strategic component for the promotion of regional development. Municipalities, which concentrate the main economic and social agents, play a crucial role in the implementation of public policies.  This article also highlights the challenges faced by municipal management in identifying and implementing effective strategies, which represent significant obstacles to the advancement of regional development. In its conclusion, the article highlights the importance of well-structured and integrated municipal management, which takes into account regional specificities and contributes to balanced, inclusive and sustainable development.