Considering the size of many provinces, and the many things they can have to exploit, it would be nice if we could build villages. I could be similar to a borough, can never expand, and has to be at least 5 hexes minimum from any other settlement. They add 1 to the population count, have a single militia, and the hex they control + the hexes around them count towards the province production, research, dust, etc. And of course, they can be attacked, captured and/or razed. You could even have an upgrade to fortify the village so that it can accept a garrison.