Creativity and digital strategies to support food cultural heritage in Mediterranean rural areas

Background: Rural development in Bangladesh is crucial for the country's socio-economic progress, given the significant portion of its population residing in rural areas. However, achieving sustainability in rural development poses numerous challenges due to various factors such as poverty, environmental degradation, and limited access to resources. Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas. The term ‘rural development’ is used to describe the deliberate actions made in non- urban parts of a developing country to alleviate or eradicate poverty, increase resilience, promote ecological sustainability and build capacity to meet these and other issues. Rural development has traditionally centered on the exploitation of land, intensive natural resources such as agriculture, aquaculture and forestry. However, change in global production networks and increased urbanization have changed the characteristics of rural areas. According to World Bank estimation, rural population is 66.5% of the total population and remaining 33.5% are urban population in Bangladesh. It is quite evident that without development of the larger portion of the population of the rural area, sustained development is not possible for the country. Rural development is deeply rooted within our society and it is integrated in the way of life, livelihood and culture of the people of Bangladesh Since independence the Government of Bangladesh has been taking constant initiatives in terms of policies, strategies and programmes to promote sustainable rural development in the country. In this connection a research work has been undertaken to know the prospects and challenges for sustainable rural development entitled; “Sustainable Rural Development in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Three Villages at Gopalganj District” during 2022-2023 fiscal year. For this purpose, 03(three) villages beside BAPARD have been selected named Tarashi, Jathia and Satrakanda. Objectives: This research aims to investigate the prospects and challenges associated with rural development in Bangladesh and to identify strategies for enhancing sustainability in this context. A case study approach is adopted to provide an in-depth understanding of the dynamics and complexities involved in rural development initiatives. The specific objectives were: to identify the betterment related to sustainable promotion of development on rural community; to elucidate the prospects and challenges faced on rural prosperity achieving sustainable development; and to suggest possible ways for minimizing the problems and challenges that rural member faced in course of their sustainable rural development. Methods: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of secondary data with qualitative insights gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. A specific rural area in Bangladesh is selected as the case study site to capture the nuances of local contexts and experiences. Results: Analysis of the data reveals both promising prospects and formidable challenges in the realm of rural development in Bangladesh. On one hand, there are instances of successful interventions that have improved livelihoods and enhanced community resilience. On the other hand, persistent issues such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation continue to hinder sustainable development efforts. Conclusion: Despite the challenges, there exist opportunities to promote sustainable rural development in Bangladesh through targeted policies, innovative approaches, and community participation. By addressing socio-economic disparities, strengthening institutional capacities, and integrating environmental considerations into development strategies, it is possible to create a more inclusive and resilient rural landscape in Bangladesh.

Досліджено нормативно-правовий та інституційно-адміністративний механізм державного управління сталим розвитком аграрного сектору та сільських територій. Проаналізовано міжнародний досвід запровадження принципів сталого розвитку. На основі проведеного аналізу запропоновано алгоритм запровадження основ концепції сталого розвитку України, а саме: прийняття національної стратегії сталого розвитку “Україна – 2030”, відповідно до Глобальних цілей сталого розвитку (далі – ЦСР), прийнятих Генеральною Асамблеєю Організації Об’єднаних Націй (далі – ООН) 25 вересня 2015 р. “Перетворення нашого світу: Порядок денний сталого розвитку 2030”, який вміщує 17 Глобальних ЦСР до 2030 р.; Указу Президента України “Цілі сталого розвитку України на період до 2030 року” від 30.09.2019 р. Зазначено, що в рамках національної стратегії повинна бути розроблена програма сталого розвитку аграрного сектору та сільських територій. Адже для досягнення 2-ї Цілі “Подолання голоду, досягнення продовольчої безпеки, поліпшення харчування та сприяння сталому сільському господарству” саме аграрний сектор та сільські громади мають вирішальну роль. Запропоновано удосконалення адміністративно-інституціонального механізму управління сталим розвитком, а саме створення державного комітету із сталого розвитку, підпорядкованого Кабінету Міністрів України, для здійснення координаційної діяльності всіх міністерств та відомств у напрямку запровадження стратегії сталого розвитку. Розглянуто методи побудови механізмів державного управління сталим розвитком, які враховують інтереси усіх зацікавлених сторін, базуються на моделі “державно-приватного” партнерства, а також методах горизонтальної та вертикальної інтеграції, враховуючи альтернативи розвитку держави, специфіку аграрного сектору економіки, потреб сільських територіальних громад у напрямку досягнення ЦСР.

The world face issues such as the environment and food, the development of agriculture is also the future focus On Global Climate Change. But Taiwan's agricultural development strategy did not respond to future trends. In recent years, the farmland build farmhouse or collective farmhouses, can't at the same time take care of agriculture and rural development, therefore become land speculation the farmland. In this case, Government to introduce new the ”Rural regeneration Act”, to solve the old rural issues，But bad planning program not sustainable and can't having regard to agricultural development from rural. Rural and Agricultural, need for holistic planning concept, and into the ecological thinking, to sustainable rural and agricultural. This study, the concept of eco-villages as rural planning policy direction. An application for “Satiau Village and Sanzun Village Sinzhou Township Changhua County” rural area. Real base simulation planning project, this thesis is divided into two parts, as follows: The first part of the finishing on agricultural land policy issues and relevant laws and regulations in rural areas, and collect information about the eco-village planning concepts, from sorting out the general principles and the context as a generic model. Rural communities in agricultural land policy planning, through researcher field investigation, the from actual rural context in sorting out the principles of the eco-village concept in local mode into practical application, as “Satiaozun village” rural settlement planning operation basis. The second part to assume that the simulation rural ecological community planning, re-integration of the villages within the land reuse. Hope to explore it meets the ground mode of operation planning program, and rural regeneration development direction, further discussion of the possibility of their practice. Policy issues to submit response strategies, and the implementation of the eco-village concept after finishing in the actual geographic environment ,the conditional to regulate drawing surface rendering, as a reflection of the future sustainable development of rural planning.

A Comparison of Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management for Patients in Rural Areas

On the Implementation of Rural Ecological Tourism Community Participation Mode in Our Country

هدف: رویکرد حکمروایی خوب روستایی با تأکید بر سه رکن اصلی دولت، بخش خصوصی و جامعة مدنی به حضور فعال و اثرگذار این ارکان در سایة مشارکت، شفافیت، پاسخ گویی، قانون‌مندی، عدالت، اجماع گرایی، مسؤولیت پذیری،کارآیی و توسعة انسانی تأکید دارد. هدف از این پژوهش، بررسی جایگاه مدیریت روستایی مبتنی بر رویکرد حکمروایی خوب در توسعة پایدار روستایی «مقایسة بخش مرکزی کوهدشت و بخش لواسانات شمیرانات» است. روش: پژوهش از نوع توصیفی- تحلیلی بوده و روش پژوهش از نظر هدف کاربردی و از نظر نحوة گردآوری داده ها، پیمایشی است. جامعة آماری؛ شامل خانوارهای روستایی دو منطقة مورد مطالعه با 27 روستای نمونه و 280 خانوار است. ابزار گردآوری داده ها از نوع پرسش نامه بوده که به صورت تصادفی در روستاهای نمونه تکمیل شد. به منظور تحلیل داده ها و آزمون فرضیه ها نیز از مدل ویکور و آزمون های آنوا توکی و رگرسیون چند متغیره استفاده شده است. یافته‌ها: مطابق یافته های مدل ویکور، مدیریت مبتنی بر رویکرد حکمروایی خوب و سطح پایداری سکونت گاه ها در دو منطقة مورد مطالعه از وضعیت بسیار متفاوتی برخوردار است؛ به طوری که در هر دو منطقه، روستاهایی که از وضعیت حکمروایی خوبی برخوردارند، پایداری بهتری نیز دارند. هم‌چنین، تحلیل رگرسیون چند متغیره، نشان دهندة تأثیر و ارتباط معنی دار بین مؤلفه های حکمروایی خوب و توسعة پایدار روستایی است. محدودیت ها: محدودیت های این پژوهش شامل وسیع‌بودن حجم نمونه و جامعة مورد مطالعه و تطابق مدل نظری پژوهش با مدل تجربی آن بود. راه‌کارهای عملی: درنظرگرفتن رویکرد حکمروایی خوب در نظام مدیریت روستایی می تواند موجب سرعت بخشی روند توسعة پایدار روستایی شده و از ناپایداری سکونت گاه ها جلوگیری کند. اصالت و ارزش: این مقاله ضمن مقایسة تطبیقی دو منطقه با نظام مدیریت، سطح حکمروایی و پایداری متفاوت، می تواند کاستی‌های موجود در ساختار مدیریت یک‌پارچة کنونی روستاهای کشور را واضح تر نشان دهد.

BackgroundSustainable rural development entails efforts to enhance the well-being of rural communities while safeguarding natural resources for future generations. The thorough examination of sustainable rural development is still scarce but nevertheless crucial, as it enables to reveal the various challenges and remaining potentials in rural areas, to identify key stakeholders and their respective roles in promoting sustainable rural development, and to determine the best practices for attaining set goals along the various sustainability dimensions considered. Germany has implemented a range of policies, initiatives, and programs to foster sustainable development, extending its efforts to also encompass rural areas. This study assesses the sustainability performance of rural municipalities in Germany, proposing a novel and comprehensive sustainability benchmarking system. For this purpose, the performance of selected rural municipalities along the ecological, social, economic, and technological dimensions is examined.ResultsBased on the systematic implementation of methodological stages, a rigorous literature review process, a systematic indicator selection, and stringent filtering criteria, the selected indicators of our study cover environmental, energy, quality of life, economic, and technological aspects. These indicators enable to efficiently and effectively measure, compare, and evaluate the sustainability performance of rural municipalities. After normalization, weighting, and aggregation of the considered indicators, the performance is visualized in radar charts. Radar charts are handy for comparing a larger number of variables and displaying them in compact and comprehensible form in a single chart. Finally, the overall relative sustainability performance of the selected rural municipalities in Germany is compared based on an aggregated single score. The adopted methodology of aggregating indicators enables us to assess the sustainability performance of municipalities as well as to highlight variations among them.ConclusionMost databases and sustainable development reports are updated only every couple of years and often do not report the performance of small rural municipalities but only larger (more urban) ones. By conducting a detailed analysis of these specific cases, we can identify key challenges and opportunities unique to rural communities and develop targeted strategies for a more sustainable development. Adding digitalization as a technological value indicator makes our approach more comprehensive than comparable others, and accounts for the important new sustainability dimension of societal transition. This study contributes to the existing literature by proposing a novel sustainability benchmarking system specifically tailored for rural areas. From a practical standpoint, the developed sustainability benchmarking system offers a practical tool for rural municipalities to assess and monitor their sustainability performance and to reflect on variations among them. The identified dimensions and indicators can guide the development of targeted strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing sustainability in rural communities. Finally, policymakers can utilize the benchmarking results to design policies, (incentive) programs, and initiatives that address the specific sustainability challenges faced by rural municipalities and account for limitations in the local potentials.

Even though Africa is one of the least urbanized regions in the world it is also the region in which cities grow the fastest, resulting in urban areas experiencing a wide spectrum of problems while rural areas are left drained. It is widely acknowledged that the vast majority of rural inhabitants in developing countries live below the poverty line, but what is not so widely known is the extent to which the livelihoods and well-being of these rural areas are linked to their urban counterparts. It has become increasingly difficult to separate communities into rural or urban entities/areas due to many households relying on both urban and rural based resources, this is especially true in South Africa where the Apartheid legacy has had a lingering effect on urban-rural linkages. In South Africa the interdependence between rural communities and distant cities are higher than elsewhere with many rural residents living in urban domains while maintaining family, social and financial ties in rural areas. Rural areas in South Africa have been experiencing economic and social decay over the past decades due to urban migration and this in turn has reduced the provision of services, facilities and employment opportunities in rural areas. It is due to these factors that the concept of sustainable rural community development is of particular relevance to South Africa. Sustainable rural community development is necessary in order to achieve more integrated and sustainable rural areas with a better environment and a higher quality of life and an understanding of the complex linkages between urban and rural areas in required for the successful planning of rural sustainable development. This paper examines how these multifaceted linkages impacts on sustainable community development in the unique case of the Vaalharts area.

The Survey and Analysis of Rural Smart Development Indicators (Case Study: Villages in Binaloud County)

Purpose This study investigates how the adaptive reuse of religious heritage, particularly monastic and conventual buildings, can promote cultural resilience and sustainable development in low-density rural areas. Focusing on the Alentejo region of Southern Portugal, it addresses a gap in heritage literature by moving beyond tourism-centric models to explore socio-cultural dimensions of reuse. The research aims to understand how such reuse can enhance community well-being, foster identity and contribute to inclusive territorial development. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. The study systematically mapped 131 monastic and conventual sites in Alentejo, analyzing ownership, conservation state, current use and relevant heritage policies. This was complemented by three in-depth case studies employing comparative ethnography to examine cultural reuse initiatives. The triangulation of data allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the drivers, barriers and outcomes of adaptive reuse practices in rural heritage contexts. Findings The research highlights both opportunities and constraints in reusing religious heritage in rural areas. Key barriers include restrictive regulations, insufficient funding and conflicts between conservation standards and innovation. However, successful case studies illustrate that participatory, multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder reuse processes can revitalise heritage sites. These practices enhance local identity, strengthen social cohesion and promote ecological awareness, revealing adaptive reuse as a viable tool for fostering resilience and inclusive rural development. Research limitations/implications While offering valuable insights, the study is limited by its geographic focus on the Alentejo region, which may affect generalisability. Further research in diverse rural contexts is needed to test the applicability of the findings. Additionally, longitudinal studies could better assess long-term impacts of reuse initiatives. Nonetheless, the study provides a solid foundation for expanding theoretical and practical understanding of cultural resilience in heritage management. Practical implications The study offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, planners and heritage practitioners. It underscores the importance of integrating adaptive reuse into territorial development strategies and fostering community-led governance models. Findings advocate for diversified funding mechanisms and cross-sectoral collaboration to overcome resource and policy barriers. The research also supports capacity-building among local stakeholders to ensure sustainable and inclusive heritage reuse. Social implications Adaptive reuse of monastic heritage can reinforce cultural identity, encourage civic participation and facilitate intergenerational knowledge transfer in rural communities. By promoting local engagement and inclusive decision-making, reuse projects can help rebuild social networks and enhance community resilience. These initiatives not only preserve the physical fabric of heritage sites but also contribute to social sustainability and democratic heritage stewardship. Originality/value This study presents an original integration of adaptive reuse and cultural resilience frameworks in the context of rural religious heritage. By focusing on both tangible and intangible dimensions, it contributes a holistic perspective to the heritage reuse discourse. The work is among the first to systematically explore non-tourism-based reuse in low-density regions, offering a replicable methodology and strategic insights for advancing community-centered heritage practices.

Inadequate access to anesthesia and surgical services is often considered to be a problem of low- and middle-income countries. However, affluent nations, including Canada, Australia, and the United States, also face shortages of anesthesia and surgical care in rural and remote communities. Inadequate services often disproportionately affect indigenous populations. A lack of anesthesia care providers has been identified as a major contributing factor to the shortfall of surgical and obstetrical care in rural and remote areas of these countries. This report summarizes the challenges facing the provision of anesthesia services in rural and remote regions. The current landscape of anesthesia providers and their training is described. We also explore innovative strategies and emerging technologies that could better support physician-led anesthesia care teams working in rural and remote areas. Ultimately, we believe that it is the responsibility of specialist anesthesiologists and academic health sciences centers to facilitate access to high-quality care through partnership with other stakeholders. Professional medical organizations also play an important role in ensuring the quality of care and continuing professional development. Enhanced collaboration between academic anesthesiologists and other stakeholders is required to meet the challenge issued by the World Health Organization to ensure access to essential anesthesia and surgical services for all.

A decadal outlook for global aquaculture

This study is aimed to examine how sustainable regional development in urban and rural areas is affected by globalization and what strategy can be implemented to address these condition. The economic development orientation that emphasizes growth has also exacerbated regional disparities, especially between rural and urban areas. The theory of urban planning development and rural planning development becomes the focus of this study. This study employs a comprehensive literature review approach to explore and synthesize the prevailing theories of rural planning and sustainable development. The study found that the imbalance between urban and rural development, which is inseparable from the influence of globalization. The model of sustainable development is expected to address the challenges that arise. It is necessary to linkage rural and urban areas through the provision of food and other materials for consumption and production, to strengthen local economic management, and to enhance the capacity of rural community economic institutions and organizations.

Sustainable rural development involves multi-dimensional aspects. First, it improves the continuous development of rural industries for energetic village economics, the available enhancement for village living conditions, and the village sustainable development. Second, it strengthens rural infrastructure, improves living standards, and then produces preferences on domestic village and land for sustainable rural development. Third, it maintains rural natural landscape and ecological environment for diversified nice rural characteristics and energetic situation. Finally, it is to fulfill social as well as cultural contents of villagers to preserve rural facilities and outlook. This has been recognized as rural culture in the mind of villagers. Rural development includes all improvements of rural economy, living and recreational environment through appropriate planning, preparation and implementation of various policies and measures, so as to create a long-term pleasant living environment outside urban area. Based on the objective of a sustainable development of rural areas, agriculture remains vital for our existence. By ensuring a wholesome nutrition with fresh food, and preserving the nature and cultural landscape, will help to preserve the diversity of rural life. Germany has put long-run efforts on the enhancement of rural self-growing and sustainable development. The mechanisms of German agricultural policy on the integrated rural development provide much experience to learn.

As the recently hired Marketing Strategist at the Good Glamm Group, year 2022, was entering the board room, he was immediately tasked with critically evaluation of the current e-commerce & Digital marketing strategy of the Brand Sirona, so that one comes up with a transformed / fresh e-commerce & digital marketing strategy - which has lower Revenue:Cost Ratio, Lower Customer Lifetime Acquisition value & more numbers of customer flow at the top & bottom of digital funnel. This as he was told that day, was required to touch unicorn mark for evaluation & increase revenue by 3x times. The marketing strategist gave a thought, then asked the a question to the board, which became the direction changing advice / critique for the company as a whole & Digital strategy in particular for the group. His question to board was “ Do you want me to evaluate /re-frame the e-commerce & digital marketing strategy for the existing Product Value Proposition or does the scope of my work allows me to challenge the current Product value proposition itself, using series of digital tools / processes - to aim at coming up with a new value proposition so that it can then tailor-make a re-created and transformed e-commerce & digital marketing strategy” which mirrors the need-gap-fit of consumer in the market for the given category by using digital tools & softwares. The board was not ready for it as it clashed with their current practice of find market for existing products through digital marketing & e-commerce rather than build the product itself through digital marketing & e-commerce. As the board looked surprised with the question, given that they were looking for a digital marketing strategy already crafted products with lower cost & higher returns using own website, social media and digital tools - but here the newly hired marketing strategist was critically challenging the Product value proposition itself and critically asking “to use digital marketing for product development first”. The marketing strategist used examples of Gillette, Marico and Emami where he had previously had gone through this learning curve - convincing the G3 Board room that core concept of Marketing starts with creating a Product value proposition based on deep insights on gaps consumer need-gaps which are not solved by current products in the market (blue ocean strategy) and hence any attempt to transform the digital marketing strategy would not work if the Product value is proposition is not transformed or freshly created based on digital insights through crawlers and other programmed softwares which scans the G3 consumer landscapes. Once the marketing strategist got the mandate on same he came with disruptive transformation in Digitally Re-created Product Value Proposition, Digitally crafted Minimal Viable Product, Digitally transformed & connected Direct To Consumer (DTC) Own Website, and Digital marketing through a digitally consumer researched mix of DTC, Digital Market Place (Amazon), Social media and Digital tools. The same can be summarized in two lines below