Evaluation of spatial development of municipality

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the research is to present indicators of social efficiency of the area development management as a method of the municipal authorities assessment. Method or methodology. Sociological research with the help of expert assessment of municipal employees. Assessment forms contained sections to identify the significance of the activity criteria of the municipal authorities; list of areas for stating the priorities of territorial development. Results. The results allowed for identifying priorities in area development in the experts’ judgments. These are increasing and equipping municipal leisure parks, preservation of architectural and cultural heritage, increase of the park belt. «Quality of life», «economic indicators» and «public trust» have been identified by the experts as the main municipal bodies’ performance indicators. The Governor and business community have been identified as the key actors in decision-making and area development implementation, while the position of the heads of municipal entities is weak and the residents participation potential is low. The research outcomes reflect the national trend towards understanding by the authorities of the importance of social efficiency as an activity assessment criterion. Moreover, weak resources of local authorities and lack of effective communicative environment for encouraging the residents’ active attitude to area transformation require special attention. These findings can be of great help for municipal employees and public organizations. Scientific novelty. Scientific novelty lies in identifying productivity of social indicators of the municipal management performance, as well as in revealing factors of effective municipal activity and in specifying the content of social needs in area development under the conditions of resources deficit.