Parashas Masei · Passuk 35:11 · TT note 1
Chabad.org — English translation + Rashi
Torah Temimah points to Sifrei (TT note on “וְהִקְרִיתֶם לָכֶם עָרִים”).
English: “You shall designate for yourselves cities” — designation means preparation in advance. “Cities” — I might think large towns; Scripture says “cities.” If “cities,” I might think even villages; Scripture says “cities.” How so? It teaches that they had only markets and a place of sustenance.
Midrashic definition of the required character of the cities of refuge (prepared in advance; intermediate size with markets).
The cities of refuge must be designated in advance and must be proper cities (with markets and livelihood), neither metropolises nor mere villages.