Zrównoważony rozwój obszarów wiejskich w aspekcie teorii wielofunkcyjności

Abstract

The aim of this publication is to present the most important problems and the main issues in the theory of sustainable development of rural areas in the spatial dimension, from the standpoint of multifunctionality. Theoretical and applied determinants and methods are presented, as well as the results of application of this theory. Some relationships between the concept of rural development under a multifunctional approach and the theory of eco-development of rural areas are also analyzed. The results of an empirical study concerning the awareness of people living in the Konin region on the sustainable development of rural areas are presented. The research problem was analyzed on the basis of original sources of information, obtained through empirical research carried out in June 2018 using a questionnaire-based personal interview method. The questionnaire was completed by residents of the Konin region. 110 respondents were selected based on the principles of selection of non-random quantities (gender, age) and purposeful selection (students, workers). The results were interpreted using an inductive-deductive method. The scale of the phenomenon and the importance of the causative factors, as given by the respondents, were determined as percentages. Because some of those commenting on the importance of sustainable goals in development were not aware of this concept, let alone its specific ideas, the hierarchy of goals determined by them was based rather on conjecture than on specific beliefs and knowledge. Therefore, the results obtained should be viewed with this reservation. A significant proportion of respondents had a comprehensive understanding of the idea of sustainable development, and combined with socio-economic and environmental objectives, this means that the replies given by respondents provide definitions and opinions on the hierarchy of goals for sustainable development.