SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT IN LATVIA: THE EXAMPLE OF LATGALE REGION

Abstract

Nowadays, much interest is devoted to the use of inno-vative (or wise) methods in assessing regional development. Rural areas have particular importance in ensuring sustainable development of any state; moreover, smart approache sto the assessment of regional development potential helpdetermining common trends in the socio-economic development of the state as a whole. The present study shows the possibility of an integrated use of quantitative and qualitative methods in the assessment of the sustainable development of latgale region (Eastern latvia). The assessment was carried out within the framework of the project 5.2. of the national research program EKOSOC-LV. The quantitative assessment was based on scientific and practical experience taking into consideration the peculiarities of the development of Latvian regions and districts and resulted in the establishment of an integrated index (smart Development index), which comprises four dimensions – Resources, Population, Economy, and Management. The qualitative assessment was based on the viewpoints concerning the cornerstones of smart specializa- tion and the factors influencing it expressed by experts rep- resenting the state administration, business and scientific en- vironment. Expert opinions were collected by using the AHP method. The results of the research can contribute to the development of a scientifically grounded state and regional policy that reveals the full potential of smart development of rural areas, taking into account the rate of the regional so- cio-economic development. The case and the methodology of the present study can also be interpolated to other regions experiencing the need for creating an integrated, scientifi- cally grounded, balanced and sustainable policy of regional development. The research is supported by the state Research pro- gramme 5.2. “Economy transformation, smart development, management and legal framework for the sustainable devel- opment of the state and the society – new approaches in the development of sustainable knowledge society (EKOSOC-LV)”