Technical Infrastructure as an Element of Sustainable Development of Rural Regions in Małopolskie Voivodeship in Poland and Trnava Region in Slovakia

Marcin Surówka,Łukasz Popławski,Helena Fidlerová

doi:10.3390/agriculture11020141

Marcin Surówka, Łukasz Popławski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11020141

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Abstract

The work discusses issues of the infrastructure, its instruments, and specifics of infrastructure in Polish and Slovak rural areas. The aim of this article is to analyze the level of technical infrastructure development in rural regions of the Małopolskie Voivodeship in Poland and the west part of Slovakia—Trnava self-governing region (Trnava region) as two regions with a similar position regarding regional competitiveness index. Following the topic, after identification of strengths and weaknesses of mentioned regions, the opportunities, and threats of sustainable development of infrastructure in rural areas have been analyzed using the SWOT method. The development of sustainable, reliable, and functional infrastructure does not only refer to the chosen regions of Poland and Slovakia but also other regions in the European Union. Sustainable infrastructure is a factor stimulating social and economic progress as one of the most important determinants of sustainable development and regional competitiveness. The authors notice a particular lack in the sustainable development of infrastructure in the field of water and sewerage management together with the supply of water. Therefore, this article tries to complete the gap in research focusing on the concept of a more systematic approach to technical infrastructure improvement in the context of sustainable development, and strategy of cooperation.

Highlights

Sustainable development is an essential element of building a coherent future that will be resistant to the risks and challenges
The aim of this article is to analyze the level of technical infrastructure development in rural regions/municipalities of the Małopolskie Voivodeship in Poland and the Trnava region in Slovakia in the context of sustainable development
This paper investigates the elements of technical infrastructure in rural regions in the context of sustainable development goals. in the relationship with regional competitiveness measured by the regional competitiveness index (RCI)

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable development is an essential element of building a coherent future that will be resistant to the risks and challenges. The official definition in the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, ‘Our Common Future’ states: Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [3]. To be able to reach sustainable development goals, it is necessary to integrate three elements: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. All these elements are interconnected and are essential to achieve the prosperity of the whole society. Improvement of the quality of life through the development of technical infrastructure cannot be linked with the loss of profits for future generations

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