| Summary: | The paper discusses the role of small and mediumsize towns in the polycentric settlement network of Slovenia. The roles of settlements in a network are affected not only by the number of inhabitants in asettlement or region, but also by several other factors. The paper, therefore, focuses especially on the set of indicators that would delineate the difference between large, medium-size and small settlements in Slovenia as well as in comparison to other European countries. The research approach to the topic is introduced,including the design of an analytical model, whereby the findings of previous studies are used on a comparative basis. The most significant results of a survey on the role of the settlements in a network are presented. The study was performed in two parts. Inthe first part, a quantitative analysis at the national scale was performed, based on the defined indicators, and in the second part a qualitative analysis of the survey was performed. Having used thirteen indicators, we first distinguished between the settlements to be considered as towns and between other kinds of settlements in the territory of Slovenia. The same indicators were further used to distinguish between large, medium-size and small towns. Based on theanalysis, an assessment of the role of individual small and medium-size towns in different regions is given. The qualitative approach also gave certain answers regarding the actual and potential connection of urban settlements into conurbations, which have been partly defined in the national legislation.
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