DEVELOPMENT STATUS of RURAL NEIGHBORHOODS in THE SOUTH AEGEAN REGION in THE CONTEXT of RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

In many countries today, rural development has become a priority for governments. Rural development refers to a process that envisages the development of societies not only economically but also socially and culturally. Rural areas often harbor a population that does not have sufficient income, has limited basic infrastructure facilities and opportunities, is generally engaged in agriculture or agriculture-based work as an economic activity, and has limited opportunities in education and health services. Despite all the investments and efforts made since 1923 for the development of rural communities, the large number and scattered nature of rural settlements, the difficulties experienced in transportation to these areas, and the wrong and inadequate decisions taken for these areas have led to the failure to reach the desired level for the development of these areas as a whole in Turkey, which is in the process of development.
 Within the scope of this study, the current level of rural development in all rural settlements in the South Aegean Region, which is among the developed regions of Turkey, and what local people see as the most important problem in the lack of rural development have been investigated. This quantitative research, which is specific to the South Aegean Region and covers all rural settlements, is important in that it emphasizes the social dimension of rural development and makes a unique contribution to subsequent rural development-oriented studies.