Small towns, urban problems and social participation from the perspective of the local population

Cities are a historical product resulting from the actions of diverse agents with transformations of multiple natures, instrumental to capitalism. From a natural to a built environment, cities materialize as areas of population density, economic resources and infrastructure. These changes alter the morphology, dynamics, structure and quality of life of the urban population in the various geographical scales of analysis. Thus, this article addresses, from the perspective of the local population, urban problems in small cities in the northern region of Minas Gerais and its participation in the scope of the urban planning process. The populations seek to improve the conditions of their lives: infrastructure and equipment, employment, schools, health, transportation, leisure, security, among others. The research is quali-quantitative and was carried out by applying questionnaires to the urban population of 19 municipalities in the northern mesoregion of Minas Gerais. The data obtained reveal that the population's perception of their living conditions in the municipality is associated with problems related to infrastructure, unemployment, health services and investments in the municipality.