Determining the Competitive Advantages of Technical-Municipal Infrastructure and Public Services in the Cities of the Northern Development Region of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

This article evaluates the competitive advantages of technical-municipal infrastructure and public services in the cities of the Northern Development Region of the Republic of Moldova. The research utilizes data from the 2024 Census, focusing on the accessibility of utility networks, street infrastructure, and green spaces. The methodology applies statistical distance analysis (Euclidean, Manhattan, Gower, Chord, and Mahalanobis) to determine the degree of proximity to the municipality of Bălți. The results, processed in JASP, highlight major territorial disparities, ranking the localities according to their level of infrastructural equipment. Gower indicators confirm a high convergence for the cities of Drochia and Otaci, while Lipcani and Mărculești show significant structural gaps. The study demonstrates the efficiency of statistical methods in evaluating urban competitiveness and providing a foundation for regional cohesion policies. UDC: [338.49+338.46](478-21); JEL: R11, R58, H54