Low Density Territories Research Articles

Conscious Tourism’s Dimension in the Historical Villages of Portugal

Recent growth in the tourism sector has promoted the emergence of alternative types of tourism, such as rural tourism. Located in low-density territories, the Historical Villages of Portugal are one of the best examples regarding regional development from the perspective of sustainability. Although it is such an important topic today and gives longevity to destinations, its approach from the conscious tourism perspective is still little valued. This article discusses tourists’ characteristics seeking Historical Villages, their behaviour, as well as their awareness and perception of the possible impacts they may cause. Intends to understand the perspective of the tourist experience in the Historical Villages region, and to ascertain the existence of conscious behaviours in rural destinations. Surveys were applied to 453 tourists of the Historical Villages. The main results obtained show that the sociodemographic profile influences the application of conscious practices, and the conscious tourist’s attitude will contribute to the overall satisfaction concerning the destination. Also, the better the tourist's relationship with the destination and his overall satisfaction, the more likely he is to implement conscious practices. The results obtained should be evaluated by the regional DMOs with a view to implementing and developing conscious practices at these destinations.

ESTRATÉGIAS DE FORMAÇÃO DE ECOSSISTEMAS DE EMPREENDEDORISMO E INOVAÇÃO: FRAMEWORK CONCEITUAL A PARTIR DE CASOS PORTUGUESES

In this exploratory study with a qualitative approach, the process and strategies for the formation of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems were analyzed in territories of low demographic density, starting from the projects: Vale do Tejo Technology Park, Living Lab Beira da Cova and Habitat of Business Innovation in the Strategic Sectors, respectively, in Abrantes, Fundão and Penela (Portugal). Interviews were carried out with nine social actors linked to the projects and the content analysis technique was used with support from the NVivo software. Based on empirical analysis and literature review, a conceptual framework was developed for the formation of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, where the following strategies were outlined: (i) urban rehabilitation programs, (ii) fostering the culture of hospitality; (iii) increased use of endogenous resources, (iv) quality of life, (v) qualification of human resources and (vi) support for entrepreneurship and innovation. It is noteworthy that the proposed framework can contribute to the guidance of public policies and the development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in low-density territories.

Knowledge spillovers between universities and companies of low-density territories

ABSTRACT This work aimed to examine and compare the role of three universities, inserted in low-density territories, in the co-creation of knowledge as well as the mechanisms used in its transfer to the business sector. Interviews were conducted with individuals in charge of innovation in the rectories of three Portuguese universities in low-density regions, as well as the heads of these organisations’ Industrial Liaison Offices. All three universities have strong links to the business community. This exchange also includes cost-sharing since the vast majority of research carried out in partnerships depends on funding from both National and European Community funds. The relations established between universities and companies are clearly a source of economic development in the regions, as companies lack the human or financial resources to develop innovative solutions. This study contributes to the existing empirical knowledge about how universities in low-density areas promote knowledge spillovers through research projects involving the business community.

Promoting sustainability in a low density territory through geoheritage: Casa da Pedra case-study (Araripe Geopark, NE Brazil)

After being exploited from the Earth’s crust, raw materials and geodiversity elements of economic value are traditionally used for the benefit of society. However, geodiversity elements may provide other types of benefits to society, namely scientific, cultural, educational, and tourist services, as they currently happen in geoparks. Geoparks can be seen as a culturally differentiated way of transferring scientific insights into social practice and vice versa, as well as an effective path of achieving global sustainability. This work aims at contributing and analyzing the role played by geoparks to improve the living conditions of local populations. The research is qualitative in nature, a study case type, which describes and assesses a pioneering experience developed at the Casa da Pedra (“Stone House”) Reference Center. Built in 2014, Casa da Pedra is located in Inhumas, the municipality of Santana do Cariri which integrates the UNESCO Araripe Global Geopark (State of Ceará; NE Brazil). The activities performed at this center aim to bridge academic knowledge and responsibility to a low density region subject to arid climate conditions. By fulfilling the social needs of a low-income community, the project results provide positive social impacts in the Inhumas community, and can inspire similar initiatives in other geoparks and/or other low density territories displaying relevant geological heritage. Moreover, by integrating natural, social and humanistic scientific awareness with non-scientific and non-Western forms of knowledge, these also serve as a catalyst tool to achieve global sustainability.

Local tourist accommodation and institutional strengthening in the interior of the Algarve, Portugal

PurposeThis study aims to understand how legislation and technology can enhance socio-economic development in low-density population territories, focusing specifically on the dynamics of local tourist accommodation over the past decade.Design/methodology/approachA case study was conducted for five municipalities in one of the most significant tourism regions of Portugal – the Algarve – based on a systematic investigation of relevant laws, regulations and electronic platforms. Official statistics were compiled and analyzed for the five territories’ registered local accommodation services, population, overnight stays and additional local services.FindingsThe results reveal that public entities’ regulations favor micro-entrepreneurship initiatives in local accommodation and that digital tools supported by online platforms have quite visible effects on low-density territories. The findings also reveal that the local tourist accommodation supply has experienced an especially dynamic, sustained growth over the past decade. This expansion has been accompanied by an increased supply of other services, suggesting that accommodation can positively influence the existing and/or future socio-economic development of low-density territories.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies focusing on other areas with low-density populations are needed to determine more clearly how local accommodation influences socio-economic development.Practical implicationsPublic regulations supported by digital platforms that favor micro-entrepreneurship initiatives in local accommodation can strengthen local development.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to analyze how local tourist accommodation can foster socio-economic development in low-density territories.

Marketing estratégico em territórios de baixa densidade

Na medida em que cidades e territórios ganham protagonismo, perante a economia globalizada, devem construir uma estratégia que lhes permitam definir produtos e buscar liderança. No entanto, os chamados territórios de baixa densidade, identificados pelo baixo índice de densidade demográfica, alto grau de envelhecimento da população e êxodo dos jovens, são abatidos por graves problemas socioeconômicos, e apresentam dificuldades para promover desenvolvimento. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho, sob a ótica de marketing de lugares, é investigar o posicionamento e a imagem de um município de baixa densidade, localizado na região centro-oeste do Rio Grande do Sul, propondo estratégias para seu desenvolvimento econômico e social. A metodologia revela uma pesquisa qualitativa, realizada através de entrevista em profundidade com agentes locais divididos em dois grupos: (1) públicos: composto por funcionários, agentes públicos municipais e agentes políticos; (2) privados: empresários de destaque e gerentes de instituições financeiras. Para melhor compreensão e análise dos dados foram construídas matrizes com as respostas de cada grupo. Concluiu-se que o local deve reposicionar sua imagem sobre dois aspectos: o turismo e as agroindústrias. Para tanto, sugere-se que o posicionamento do município seja o Enoturismo, seguindo estratégias de imagem, atrações, infraestrutura e pessoas. Assim sendo, o presente trabalho tem relevante contribuição teórica, sob o ponto de vista do tema e sua relação com os territórios de baixa densidade, ainda pouco explorados no Brasil, e prática, sugerindo direcionamento estratégico para o desenvolvimento de um município com índices sociais e econômicos abaixo da média do Rio Grande do Sul.
 Palavras-Chave: Marketing em Territórios. Desenvolvimento Regional. Territórios de Baixa Densidade.

Planning renewable energy in rural areas: Impacts on occupation and land use

Reflecting on the role of rural areas in the 21st century is, nowadays, a central theme in the important debate on the long-term renewable energy development. It is the case that while cities demonstrate an ever-growing pattern of energy consumption, rural areas keep themselves as almost low-density territories and with the greatest potential of renewable energy sources. This means a new smart specialization of rural areas as green energy exporters to fuel urban areas, providing effective and long-lasting answers to the climate change, the reduction of energy dependency and respective social, economic and environmental impacts. Nevertheless, the implementation of renewable energy sources requires safeguarding the balance between occupation and land use and, at the same time, preservation and respect for the environmental, cultural and scenic values of these privileged territories. The present paper describes the first stage of an exploratory empirical study on the various impacts caused by the implementation of different renewable energy sources in rural areas. With reference to the County of Loures in Portugal, factors and geographical determinants, underlying the localization of recently implemented photovoltaic power plants and wind farms, have been identified. The level 5 Corine Land Cover 2007 datasets and satellite images have been used along with the information collected during on-site field work. The delimitation of infrastructure areas associated with renewable energy production, has enabled an understanding of the changes in land occupation over the time period of a decade and how these aspects are linked to the spatial dimensions of planning and land management. The results obtained demonstrate the emergence of a functional dichotomy between the preservation of lands with strong agricultural potential and the massive expansion of renewable energy production across rural areas. This allows us to understand how the implementation of renewable energy sources is ever more linked to the local decision-making process associated with spatial planning. The role that municipalities can play in the definition of strategies to ensure an efficient, balanced and sustainable renewable energy zoning in rural areas will therefore be crucial.

Évolution récente de l'emploi industriel dans les territoires ruraux et urbains : une analyse structurelle-géographique sur données françaises

Résumé On propose une analyse structurelle-géographique (analyse shift and share) de la croissance locale de l’emploi entre 1990 et 1999 et s’appuyant sur l’évolution sectorielle des emplois industriels dans le Zonage en Aires Urbaines. Nous mettons en évidence que l’augmentation de la part de l’emploi industriel dans l’espace rural peut être imputée à des avantages spécifiques aux territoires de faible densité, communs à tous les secteurs. Ces avantages « ruraux » sont loin d’être négligeables puisqu’ils compensent le fait que ces territoires ruraux attirent des firmes appartenant plutôt à des secteurs ayant fortement subi la crise industrielle. À l’inverse, les pôles urbains, surtout ceux de grande taille, combinent un effet structurel positif (i.e. une localisation plutôt urbaine des secteurs les plus dynamiques) avec un effet géographique négatif (i.e. une tendance à la chute de l’emploi industriel urbain quel que soit le secteur considéré). Les espaces périurbains qui les entourent offrent des caractéristiques favorables à l’implantation de tout secteur industriel, sans que la structure des secteurs présents ne joue de rôle significatif ni positivement, ni négativement.