Abstract
This study examines the historical heritage in the contemporary development processes of small settlement units. The analyses are carried out in the context of contemporary threats such as unfavourable demographic, spatial and economic changes. The main objective of this work is to determine the potential of historical spatial structures to regaining previously lost identities. Another objective is to develop design and programmatic guidelines for the implementation of an effective spatial policy. The research process consists of several stages. The first stage of the study outlines the evolution of three selected examples of historical urban structures in terms of spatial and functional characteristics. The second stage consists of carrying out urban and morphological analyses of the areas studied and comparing them in terms of social, economic and spatial aspects. Finally, in the third stage, conclusions are formulated. The main finding is that the urban fabric, as an element of local identity, can become an essential part of the development strategy of a given city and region. Furthermore, the results show a close correlation with the directions of regional development based on the assumption of creating a polycentric network of territorial units as generators of social and economic development.