Characteristics Of Rural Residents Research Articles

How to realize low-carbon travel in rural areas? Evidence from China

Low-carbon travel for rural residents in China is of great significance for reducing CO 2 emissions and achieving the “dual carbon goals”. This paper uses system dynamics modeling and case analysis to explore the realization path of low-carbon travel in rural China, establishes a complex system dynamics model of low-carbon rural travel in China. By running multi-scenario simulations, the characteristics of rural residents‘ travel and the trend of CO 2 emissions in China are found. Through the case study, it is found that the built environment, low-carbon travel policy, rural residents‘ travel preference and travel cost are the important factors affecting rural low-carbon travel. New energy policy can effectively reduce rural travel CO 2 emissions. However, an excessively large increase in rural low-carbon public transport would reduce marginal benefits. The government should choose the right policy intensity according to the economic and fiscal situation.

Rural location-based activity generation: a case study of Iran villages

Efficacious transportation, as prerequisites of sustainable development of rural areas, should receive pertinent attention. This needs more attention in developing countries as nearly half of population in these countries reside in rural areas. However, still little is known about the activity and travel characteristics of rural residents. This study focuses on activity-location (Ac-Lo) patterns of rural residents in Iran. An interview of place-based questionnaire was designed and data about activity-travel characteristics of rural residents was collected. In total, 663 respondents were used for analyzing out-of-home Ac-Lo patterns. Based on a descriptive analysis of Ac-Lo characteristics of the sample, 10 Ac-Lo patterns were determined, differentiated according to the primary and secondary activity type and the primary activity location of rural residents. To explore the relations between Ac-Lo patterns and socio-demographic characteristics of rural residents and the type of village, logit models were used. Based on specification test, two nested logit structures were identified modeling the joint decision of choosing activity and location. The first structure was nested based on activity location, inside or outside the village, while the second was nested based on primary activity type, work, education and other activities. The selected structure emphasized the role of activity location in activity-travel patterns in rural areas. The results also demonstrated the important role of socio-demographic variables and job type of rural residents on joint Ac-Lo decisions. Village type of either near to city or far from it was the only variable appeared in the higher level of the nested structure, and had a significant influence on individuals’ membership of the inside the village Ac-Lo patterns.

Classification of Rural Residents on the Basis of Activity Travel Characteristics

A significant portion of the population of developing countries resides in rural areas. Despite the importance of rural transportation planning in such countries, little is known about the activity travel characteristics of these rural residents. The topic has been largely ignored in transportation studies. To contribute to the scant literature, this study focused on a classification of representative activity travel–based clusters (RACs) in rural areas of Iran. A place-based interview questionnaire was designed, and data about activity and travel characteristics of rural residents were collected in May 2012. On the basis of the distance between a village and the nearest city, nearby and distant villages were considered in the survey. The statistical analysis used 665 questionnaires. A classification procedure was applied to analyze the data. First, the application of factor analysis with Varimax rotation that used Kaiser criteria resulted in nine factors, extracted from 22 initial variables. The types of villages were used to compare the factors. Results indicated that descriptive factors of rural RACs were strongly affected by the distance between a village and the nearest city. Next, a cluster analysis, which resulted in nine RACs, was conducted. Each RAC consisted of a dominant activity type, activity location, and transportation mode. Through interpretation of the RACs, the rural population was categorized into nine lifestyles. Subsequently, the distribution of village type and respondent gender and age variables for each RAC was explored. Except for age categories, differences between distributions of the village type and gender in the RACs were considerable.

Transition and Diversity in Rural Housing Provision: The case of Narrogin, Western Australia

The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing dynamics of housing markets in an Australian rural community. With reference to the case of Narrogin, Western Australia, it argues that there is an increasing disjuncture between the social and demographic characteristics of rural residents and the modal form of housing in country towns, namely the detached family house. Factors contributing to this disjuncture include the ageing of the population, the loss of traditional blue-collar employment, sub-regional restructuring of service provision, retirement migration patterns, and growing acceptance of the particular housing needs of groups such as the aged, the disabled, young and indigenous people. While it is clear that there is currently something of a mismatch between the characteristics of the population and the housing stock in Narrogin, it is also evident that a combination of political, cultural and economic factors form a significant barrier to adjustment in the local housing market.

Australian rural consumers' perceptions of health issues.

The present paper explores the characteristics of rural residents and issues facing rural consumers. Analysis of census data and a survey of 499 rural residents across Australia suggests that cost is their major concern. Rural consumers indicated that they would like to access information through a variety of sources, but local media was the most preferred source. While many would like more consumer information, they would like to know how to access information when needed rather than have it on hand. Most were not concerned about complaint procedures, but many were found to be unaware of where to redress problems with health services.