The Peri-Urban Space of Chisinau Municipality: Conceptual Delimitations and Implications for Public Policies

Abstract

The article analyzes the peri-urban space of Chisinau municipality from the perspective of its conceptual delimitations and their implications for territorial public policies. The aim of the research is to critically examine the main approaches to the peri-urban and to highlight the relevance of this concept for territorial planning, regional development, and peri-urban governance in the Republic of Moldova. The study is based on the analysis of international, Romanian, and national specialized literature, as well as on the examination of the normative and strategic framework relevant to territorial development. Methodologically, the research has a theoretical-analytical and synthetic character and is oriented toward clarifying the relationship between concepts such as peri-urban, suburban, functional urban area, urban-rural continuum, and urban influence area. The findings show that peri-urban space cannot be treated as a mere extension of the city or as a peripheral rural territory, but must be approached as a hybrid, dynamic, and functional territory. It is subject to pressures generated by urban expansion, land conversion, daily mobility, and socio-economic transformations. For the Republic of Moldova, the study highlights the need to integrate the peri-urban dimension more explicitly into regional development policies, territorial planning, and the management of localities under the influence of Chisinau municipality. Such an approach may contribute to more coherent territorial governance and to reducing fragmentation between urban, rural, and regional policies. UDC: 711.4:332.14(478-21); JEL: R11, R14, R58, O18, Q15