Conflicts as catalysts for change in rural areas

Abstract

As the number of functions performed by rural areas increase, so too do the number of different users of rural areas. Where several functions overlap (such as agricultural, environmental protection, conservation, residential, recreational), we see the emergence of more or less attractive intersections (areas, points, lines). At the most attractive of these the interests of several actors and their activities overlap. However, due to different power relations between actors, such interactions are not equitable, which can lead to conflicts of interest. Conflicts are not necessarily negative; indeed, they can serve as catalysts for change. In the article we examine three conflicts in a rural area (Municipality of Izola, SW Slovenia). Through newspaper content analysis, we obtained data on conflicts in rural parts of the Municipality of Izola between 2008 and 2014. We supplemented the data with 13 in-depth interviews with relevant actors. The results showed that all three conflicts have positive characteristics; however, only one of them was a catalyst for change that accelerated the resolution of a long-standing problem in a new, more effective way. • Rural is a social construct, so every user has their own idea of what is rural. • Numerous users of rural areas have often incompatible interests and ideas. • Conflicts can have many positive properties and can also function as catalysts. • Conflict as a catalyst occurs when it accelerates solving a problem in a new way.