Public administration and economic governance tools in shaping sustainable development strategies for under-urbanized territories

Abstract

The article conducts a comprehensive theoretical and applied study of the mechanisms for transforming under-urbanized territories (hereinafter UUT) under the conditions of contemporary challenges caused by agglomeration processes, digitalization, and the consequences of martial law in Ukraine. The shift in paradigm from traditional reactive management to a proactive model of resilient economic governance is substantiated; this model is considered a fundamental determinant of the vitality of communities. The concept of UUT is introduced into scientific circulation and detailed as hybrid spatial-functional systems that are losing the classical features of the “city–village” dichotomy due to the diffusion of urban standards into rural areas. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the experience of the Feodosiivska territorial community as a representative example of successful institutional convergence. It is proven that for newly created communities, the “zero point” of the start becomes a catalyst for innovative development, allowing them to avoid the inertia of outdated managerial verticals. Statistical data from budget monitoring for 2021–2025 demonstrate a rapid increase in the fiscal capacity of the community, indicating the effectiveness of the selected toolkit.

The role of stakeholder participation as a fundamental tool for ensuring the strategic adaptability of the territorial community is substantiated. On the basis of sociological verification of the opinions of residents and the business environment, the Matrix of Strategic Adaptability of Public Governance of the Feodosiivska territorial community was formed. It is determined that in the conditions of post-war transformation of UUT, the key vector of development becomes the synergy of security resilience — through the construction of dual-purpose facilities — and systemic “green” modernization of the community’s energy basis. The generalization of the results made it possible to substantiate an integral model of sustainable development, where the levers are energy-efficient governance, digitalization as an “institutional elevator,” and facilitation of the business environment through investment passports.

At the same time, despite the prognostic effectiveness of the model, its implementation faces systemic challenges. The threat of “diffusion assimilation” of the UUT identity by the metropolis has been identified, which threatens the transformation of communities into “dormitory districts.” The risks of fiscal concentration and the shortage of highly qualified specialists are outlined. It is proven that the systemic verification of these risks will allow public authorities to transition to scenario modeling of development, minimizing exogenous threats through tools of preventive governance. The formed system of tools creates a stable contour of municipal vitality capable of guaranteeing a high quality of life and investment attractiveness of UUT in the long-term perspective.