ABSTRACT
Small towns are key elements for rural development. They offer jobs and services of basic urban character for surrounding rural settlements. They are transport junctions of local importance and bearers of the micro-regional identity. Their functions are developing in the process of the transition to the post-productive society. Earlier market places with local products are changing to industrial and service nodes. However, their demographic development, economic base, central importance and other characteristics are very diverse. The increasing value of leisure, environment, space, security etc. offers new chances for small towns which connect basic urban services with the rural milieu. Small towns represent a diverse set, differentiated according to function, economic base, demographic development, geographical location and individual characteristics. In addition to small cities, concentrating job opportunities, there are also more or less residential small towns. Their role varies in suburbanized zones, on the periphery and in intermediate areas.
