Public services as a city-forming factor and as an indicator of a city's status within a settlement network based on the example of small cities in Northern Poland

Abstract

Small cities, like larger ones, fulfil various specialized exogenous functions, as well as standard, or central, functions (Domański 1972), based on the services offered within them, and, in some cases, to surrounding areas. As a result, jobs are concentrated in and ar ound cities, providing employment to city residents and those in the surrounding area. Services perform a city - forming function. As noted by Fourastier (Goryński 1966), the city has played a role in the structure of employment ever since cities first emerg ed, and today plays a dominant role. The results presented herein are a continuation of research on small cities conducted in recent years across three voivodeships in northern Poland (Sołtys 2000)