Abstract
Location of settlement at important routes of transport was always one of the key factors for its prosperity. However, in the car-oriented world of today the distance factor is not so important for many people and they prefer to live in calm rural areas. Simultaneously, many rural areas in peripheral locations are affected by the emigration of inhabitants and global decay. This study explains how good transport infrastructure should be beneficial for rural areas and how it is in reality in the Czech Republic. The study is a part of a larger work of research, based on component analysis of localization of depopulation areas in the Czech Republic between the years 1869 - 2010. The role of transport is documented not only by the localization of the transport infrastructure, but also by the duration and orientation of commuting to work. Theories and premises are supported by quantitative analysis in all municipalities in the Czech Republic and also by three in-depth case studies, oriented more on qualitative indicators.
Highlights
One of the burning problems of current European society is the uneven growth of regions connected with the concentration of development to central areas and the decline of remote, marginal areas
The economy of declining marginal regions is heavily supported by subsidies from development funds, but these costly measures often do not ensure the expected benefits
In a dissertation (Drápela, 2010), which was a model for this article, the number of objectives was higher, this article focuses on: 1. delimitating depopulated areas in the Czech Republic in the post-communist era, 2. assessing the significance of the impact of transport infrastructure and commuting times on the current distribution of depopulated areas, and, 3. assessing the significance of transport for the development of marginal areas in the long-term perspective
Summary
One of the burning problems of current European society is the uneven growth of regions connected with the concentration of development to central areas and the decline of remote, marginal areas. The economy of declining marginal regions is heavily supported by subsidies from development funds, but these costly measures often do not ensure the expected benefits. Marginalization of these regions is a complex social phenomenon related to changes in the lifestyle of the society, as well as to demographic changes, which are only handled with difficulties. Factors of economic- and time-demanding commuting to work, accessibility, frequency and quality of public transport, and the density and quality of roads are all factors greatly affecting the everyday reality of life in rural areas How are these factors affecting the attractiveness and unattractiveness of a given village or a region? How are these factors affecting the attractiveness and unattractiveness of a given village or a region? This article aims to answer this question
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
