Multifunctionality Of Rural Areas Research Articles

Resources for the transition of rural areas to a diversified development model

One of the priority strategic objectives aimed at reducing the unjustifiably high spatial differentiation of rural areas is their diversification, carried out by involving unused resource reserves into development, creating new opportunities for the industries which products have a steady market demand. The purpose of this scientific work is to justify the need to move from a predominantly mono-functional to a diversified model of rural development. Creating models for their diversified development requires defining the rural areas as a special space, in which a specific activity closely related to the natural habitat is carried out, depending on the natural, economic factors of farming and formed in the conditions of the almost universal distribution of multi-component agricultural production. In the process of research, the relationship between the diversity of the rural economy structure and the multifunctionality of rural areas was revealed, which showed the need to diversify the economy by stimulating various types of activities. Taking into account domestic and foreign experience, approaches to building a model of diversified development of rural areas are justified. Based on a study of the rural economy structure, a model of diversification was proposed, containing single-industry and multi-industry blocks, including a different combination of industries and their advantages and disadvantages. It is concluded that the most effective is an industry-specific model with a diversified rural economy due to the maximum possible set of various economic forms and activities that meet the needs of the population in employment.

How do population decline, urban sprawl and industrial transformation impact land use change in rural residential areas? A comparative regional analysis at the peri-urban interface

By applying an integrated framework, this paper examines the impacts of population decline, urban sprawl and industrial transformation on rural residential land use change at the peri-urban interface. The examination is conducted from the perspective of the spatial structure of rural residential land based on a comparative regional analysis. The results show that the pace and pattern of spatial structure change in three regional areas are quite different: the changing process in mountainous areas is much slower, together with low-density development; conversely, the spatial structure in plains and semi-mountainous areas experiences considerable change, and development is more diversified. This can be explained by the differential impacts of urbanization and industrialization: rural population decline, which often occurs in exurban areas with monotonous economic structures, easily causes land and environmental degradation, as evidenced by large quantities of abandoned land. Nevertheless, suburban areas present a compact and multifunctional land use pattern, which is attributed to benign industrial transformation and the external benefits of urban sprawl (e.g., industrial transfer, infrastructure expansion, and urban-rural migration). Based on these findings, this paper also offers a critical discussion of the limitations of rural residential land use and potential adaptive strategies, arguing that the multifunctionality of rural areas and local village characteristics should be taken into account by Chinese policy-makers to achieve man-environment systems compatible with development and rural sustainability.

Rural Idyll Without Rural Sociology? Changing Features, Functions and Research of the Czech Countryside

Abstract The development of the Czech countryside differs in many ways from trajectories typical for Eastern and Central European rural areas in the last 25 years. In our article, we discuss the nature of the ‘Czech exceptionalism’, with reference to three examples, namely population development, the dynamics of rural/agricultural labour markets and rural governance. Firstly, we describe the major driving forces behind rural development in Czechia over the past 25 years and how these forces are reflected in the academic discourse. Secondly, we argue that an important feature of rural regions in Czechia is their population growth combined with a rapid labour market transformation and a low social importance of agriculture. All these changes are interpreted as a shift towards multifunctionality of rural areas rather than as a general trend towards post-productivism; indeed, this is because large parts of rural areas remain economically based on industrial production. The ongoing transformations have been reflected only partially in an academic discourse. In conclusion, we argue that there is a need to re-examine the use of EEC as a concept framing the position of sociology in rural research.

Impact of the EU funds on the diversification of economic activity (of farms) and their role in multi-functional development of rural areas

The focus of the article is on two issues. One of them is related to the process of multi-functional development of rural areas; the other one concerns the impact the European Union funds have on diversification of economic activity in rural areas. The study attempts to assess this impact with regard to diversification of sources of income gained by rural population and, consequently, with regard to multi-functionality of rural areas. The analysis was based on the number of applications processed and funds acquired within the measures under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 which have provided the most substantial support for multi-functional development of rural areas, i.e. ‘Diversification into non-agricultural activities’ and ‘Creation and development of micro-enterprises’.

Agro Tourism as Public Good in Rural Areas: A Case Study

1. Introduction Multifunctionality of agriculture is already noticed in the past and the scale of its occurrence is characterized by the utilization of labour resources and physical capital on farms and the scale of non-agricultural employment. In the Polish scientific literature there is a discussion of the multifunctionality of the country and the rural areas (multifunctionality of rural areas), which consists of rural economic diversification and thus increasing employment opportunities in non-agricultural activities in rural areas (Wilkin, 2008). According to the definition of pure public goods which are delivered to all citizens in the area without being able to exclude anyone from consumption and the marginal cost of supplying those goods is zero. In terms of tourist visiting the region of agro-tourism services can be a public good or club, depending on whether it is possible to exclude anyone from consumption. They can also be good in a club or private, depending on whether these goods are competitive. From the perspective of the inhabitants of the region carry out the tasks of a municipality within the rural tourism can be regarded as providing a pure public good. The premise of the present paper is the multifunctional development of the current issues of agriculture which is to include reinforcing elements increasing rural tourism values by enriching the attractiveness of the landscape and tourism development. Noticeable is the lack of definition in the literature that treated rural tourism as a public good provided by local or central government. Under the law the task of municipalities is to conduct and financing of tourism policy. Selection of paper topic and related issues has been conditioned by the need to supplement, to systematize and update knowledge of the relevant aspects and conditions for development of multifunctional agriculture (especially tourism), taking into an account the characteristics of natural, social and economic environment for local and regional levels. Against the background of the study there will be attempt to answer the following questions: * Whether the provision of public goods by agro tourism affects its profitability? * Whether agro-tourism services have an impact on the profitability of farms or if only by a purely market-based revenues, or through transfers from public funds? The development of tourism in rural areas is possible. More than half of rural communities meet the criteria for recreational space and has favourable conditions for development of tourism. However, it is noted that there are significant barriers concerning human capital. They influence the decision to be taken in shaping changes in rural areas and do not allow full use of the existing possibilities. 2. Material and research methods The research on the evaluation of agro tourism as a public good was carried out in the Western Pomerania communities. The questionnaire method was used to collect data. The source materials on the opinion of owners of agro tourism farms were the result of research carried out in 2011. The research involved 40 farm owners. In order to identify following questions: (a) whether the provision of public goods by agro tourism affects its profitability? (b) whether agro tourism services have an impact on the profitability of farms or if only by a purely market-based revenues, or through transfers from public funds? The [chi square] test of independence, which allows to determine the statistical significance of the relationship between both measurable and non-measurable variables, was used. The test involves comparing the number of responses received in a number of researches that can be expected under the assumption that there are no relationships between the analysed variables. The values of [chi square] and degrees of freedom (df) are working and are generally not assessed. The interpretation covers primarily the level of probability (p), on the basis of which the existence or lack of dependence are predicated. …

Urbanization strategies, rural development and land use changes in China: A multiple-level integrated assessment

This paper links urbanization strategies to changes in land use and associated impacts on rural communities and agro-ecosystems in a rural area of China. Energy, monetary and human time variables as well as information on environmental pressures, have been combined to compare different typologies of households and the metabolism of different patterns of land use from an integrated perspective. The results show that urbanization strategies, aimed at shifting the current land use and at displacing the local population, while increasing the economic efficiency is also associated with an increase in fossil energy consumption and environmental pressure, as well as a reduction of the multifunctional characteristic of the area under investigation. Based on these findings the paper also offers a critical discussion of the Chinese rural development policy arguing that the multifunctionality of rural areas should be taken into account by Chinese policy-makers and planners as a viable strategy to achieve rural development targets.

The Context of Rural–Urban Relationships in Finland, France, Hungary, The Netherlands and Spain

This paper presents a comprehensive view of the empirical research findings concerning rurban relationships in different European countries (Finland, France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Spain), through two types of rurban territories: those that are placed close to (or included in) a metropolitan area and those that are close to (and influenced by) an important tourist area or place. Its main aim is to show the diversity of European experiences with regard to urban pressure in this type of areas, highlighting the socio-economic and institutional contexts in explaining similarities and differences between five countries. The results will review the various meanings of ‘rural’ and ‘rurality’ in different European contexts and how the study areas combine the characteristics of a rural and an urban area. Moreover, we will see that urban pressure is not perceived as a negative process by many but, rather, the opposite. Further, the multi-functionality of rural areas has often implied an excessive focus on new external urban demands in detriment of enhancing other traditional functions. Given these situations, institutions do not always provide efficient responses to changing rurban areas.