Rural Settlements Research Articles

Rural settlement of urban dwellers in China: community integration and spatial restructuring

With rapid urbanization in China, an increasing number of urban dwellers are migrating to rural areas, becoming “new villagers”. This phenomenon provides both opportunities and challenges for rural revitalization. This study aims to examine the community integration dilemmas of these new villagers from the perspective of social space production theory. Through oral history investigations, in-depth interviews and participant observations, this qualitative study explores the integration predicaments of new villagers across four dimensions—living space, production space, cultural space, and social space. The findings indicate that the integration dilemmas arise from disparities between new villagers and native villagers in status, cultural identity, values, and customs. New villagers face risks of exclusion in obtaining living space, cultural conflicts in production activities, value clashes with traditional rural culture, and social closure from existing rural networks. To better integrate new villagers into local communities, fostering cultural communication, shaping common values, and restructuring rural space are essential, providing insights for rural talent retention policies. This research offers implications for rural talent revitalization mechanisms in the context of urban–rural migration in China.

Impact of Residential Area Characteristics and Political Group Participation on Depression Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Results of an 11-Year Longitudinal Study.

The claim that political group attendance is associated with poor mental health among older adults may be conditioned on geographic conditions. This study examined the geographical context in which political group participation may be associated with depression. The 11-year follow-up data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging, covering 5,334 persons aged ≥50 years, were analyzed using random-effects panel logit models. Depression was assessed using 10 items on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Participants were asked to indicate whether they belonged to different social groups. We modeled depression as a function of political group participation (the independent variable) and geographical region (moderators), adjusting for individual-level characteristics. Respondents in political groups were more likely to report depression than those in nonpolitical groups (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.34-2.68). Between urban and rural settlements, there were no statistically significant differences in mental health outcomes among older adults engaged in political groups (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI = 0.81-3.67). For those who remained politically engaged, living in areas with lower levels of electoral competition was associated with a lower likelihood of depression (AOR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.86-0.98); this conditional effect was not prevalent among those who were solely engaged in nonpolitical groups (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.99-1.03). Political group participation is associated with poor mental health among older adults living in politically competitive regions.

MULTIMEDIA AT MINOAN MYRTOS–PYRGOS, CRETE

The Minoan settlement of Myrtos–Pyrgos on the south coast of Crete has produced five seals (and one unfinished seal), 11 seal impressions on clay vessels, two roundels and one nodulus, as well as two Linear A tablets and two inscriptions on clay vessels. Dating between Early Minoan II and Late Minoan IB, these documents form valuable evidence for the development of sealing, marking and writing practices at a small but important rural settlement, including a penchant for using antique seals for stamping jars. They contribute too to understanding the regional hierarchical and, probably, political cultures of Crete throughout this long period, especially in the late Protopalatial phase of Middle Minoan IIB, when there seems to have been a special relationship with Malia on the north coast, and again in Late Minoan IB, when there was a relationship with Knossos. Finally, the paper discusses a pithos fragment from Tel Haror in Israel, which appears to have an inscription in Cretan Hieroglyphic or Linear A, and may well have been a product of Myrtos or nearby.

The Impact of Household Dynamics on Land-Use Change in China: Past Experiences and Future Implications

Population is the main driver of land-system and environmental change. However, population is usually treated as a variable that only considers the population number, and multi-dimensional population structure is largely ignored. There has been a systematic transition of population structure in the past several decades, including changes in household structure, increasing aging populations, increasing divorce rates, and increasing human migration. All of these changes have direct or indirect impacts on land use and environmental issues. Here, taking China as an example and using statistical analysis, namely the Mann–Kendall trend test and a land-use-transition matrix, we examine the relationship between household dynamics and land-use change in China by examining changes in household structure and land-use changes in China between 1980 and 2020. The results show the following three groups of findings. (1) The number of households increased by 130.95% from 1980 to 2020, while the population only increased by 42.83%; the size of households decreased from 4.41 to 2.62 in China from 1982 to 2020; and the household dynamics varied from province to province, which is affected by urbanization rate and economic development. (2) Birth rates, divorce rates, population aging, and migration all affect household structure, which directly or indirectly affect changes in land-use systems. (3) The changes in China’s land use are interlinked and interact with changes in household structure, which is evident in the increase in Residential land use and the abandonment of arable land. The rising household number increased the area of urban and rural settlement, leading to the fragmentation of cultivated land and the reduction of ecological land. To regulate land-use change for sustainable development, future land-use planning should take into account the effect of household dynamics and should reduce the negative effects of household dynamics on land systems and environmental change.

Quality of drinking water and risk to the health of the population of the south Baikal region (Russia)

Providing good quality water in sufficient quantities is a major challenge in the world. The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of drinking water and the health risk of various population groups in the southern Baikal region (Siberia, Russia) under changing hydrological conditions. Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater body of water and is one of the sites protected by UNESCO. Materials and methods. An analysis of centralized and non-centralized water supply was carried out in the south-eastern part of the Irkutsk region, adjacent to Lake Baikal. The data used are from the Baikal (regional) Information Center for 2011–2022, and they include the results of monitoring the water quality of the centralized domestic and drinking water supply (CDW) with 140 thousand samples, and non-centralized domestic and drinking water supply (NDW) with 108 thousand samples. In all samples, 17 substances were determined. In addition, during the flood period, accompanied by additional water disinfection, trihalomethanes were determined in populated areas exposed to negative impacts. The quality of drinking water was assessed in comparison with the maximum permissible concentrations of substances (MPCs) approved by regulatory documents of Russia. An assessment of the characteristics of drinking water consumption by the population of the Baikal region was carried out, based on interview data from sample groups of the population. The assessment of the risk to public health, due to chronic oral intake of chemicals, was carried out using the values of the hazard coefficient (HQi), the hazard index (HI), individual carcinogenic risk (ICR), and population carcinogenic risk (PCR).Village residents more often use underground water sources (centralized and non-centralized). Residents of cities are provided with water from surface sources (Lake Baikal and the Angara River). Significant concentrations of iron, nitrates, and manganese were found in drinking water used by villagers. Average concentrations of iron - 2.25 mg/dl, manganese - 0.6 mg/dl, nitrates - 135 mg/dl were recorded in the water of underground springs in villages of the Irkutsk region. Among rural residents of the Irkutsk region, 60.8 % live in settlements with non-water supply systems, 28.4 % have mixed water supply.The non-carcinogenic risk for the adult and child population was calculated; HI > 1 was identified for the population using underground water sources. the non-carcinogenic hazard for the adult population, it was found that HI in the Irkutsk region slightly exceeded the standard value (1), amounting to 1.3, and for the child population - 1.6, the main contribution to the hazard index is represented by nitrates. For children of individual rural settlements of the Angarsk region HI = 1.38. The carcinogenic risk for water from underground sources reached in the range 1.56 × 10−5- 2.1 × 10−4 (in some settlements). Priority carcinogens were identified: arsenic (the contribution of which is 56.3–100 %), hexavalent chromium (29.9–35.8 %). A carcinogenic risk for city residents arises from increased disinfection during periods of microbiological contamination (floods, rains, high water levels), and it is associated with the formation of halogen-containing compounds. ConclusionThe need to strengthen the drinking water quality monitoring system in risk areas has been proven by increasing the number and frequency of sampling during flood periods.

Colonizing New Lands: Rural Settlement of Refugees in Northern Greece (1922–40)

Colonizing New Lands: Rural Settlement of Refugees in Northern Greece (1922–40)

К ВОПРОСУ ПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ АРКТИЧЕСКОЙ ЗОНЫ И СЕВЕРНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ: СЕВЕРНЫЙ ЗАВОЗ, ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ САМООБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ (ЭКОНОМИКО-ПРАВОВОЙ АСПЕКТ)

The problems of food supply in the Arctic zone and the northern territories of Russia, which depend on timely northern delivery, are being investigated.
 It was revealed that the northern territories are heterogeneous, they differ in social and economic development, due to the diversity in financial provision, the availability of food resources is heterogeneous, and the balance of nutrition differs significantly. 
 It is revealed that the absence of a legislative act regulating problematic issues of northern importation negatively affects the implementation of works related to the timely provision of the Arctic zone and northern territories.
 It has been established that the qualitative increase in agricultural and commercial production in the Arctic zone is directly related to the socio-economic development of rural settlements. The fishing farms of the Arctic zone have a long centuries-old history, their specialization was formed due to natural conditions, under the influence of geographical location. 
 It is shown that agriculture in the northern regions of Russia, due to the natural features and specifics of modern market relations, can develop intensively with targeted state support. The organization of northern agriculture requires the creation of an investment climate, for which it is necessary to adopt legal documents.
 It is recommended that public authorities, when implementing the social function of the state in territories with extreme natural conditions, promptly adopt the necessary legal documents ensuring a favorable regime for the development of agriculture and traditional crafts.

Paraparesis due to angio-neurotropic Gurltia paralysans in a domestic cat (Felis catus) and retrospective study on feline gurltiosis cases in South America.

The nematode Gurltia paralysans is a neglected angio-neurotropic parasite causing chronic meningomyelitis in domestic cats (Felis catus) as well as wild felids of the genus Leopardus in South America. Adult G. paralysans nematodes parasitize the leptomeningeal veins of the subarachnoid space and/or meningeal veins of the spinal cord parenchyma. The geographic range of G. paralysans encompasses rural and peri-urban regions of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil. This case report presents clinical and pathological findings of a G. paralysans-infected cat suffering from severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis resulting in ambulatory paraparesis. Neurological examination of affected cat localized the lesions at the thoracolumbar (T3-L3) and lumbosacral (L4-Cd4) segments. Molecular and morphological characteristics of extracted nematodes from parasitized spinal cord veins confirmed G. paralysans. Additionally, data obtained from a questionnaire answered by cat owners of 12 past feline gurltiosis cases (2014-2015) were here analyzed. Questionnaire collected data on age, gender, geographic location, type of food, hunting behavior, type of prey, and other epidemiological features of G. paralysans-infected cats. Data revealed that the majority of cats originated from rural settlements thereby showing outdoor life styles with hunting/predatory behaviors, being in close contact to wild life [i.e. gastropods, amphibians, reptiles, rodents, birds, and wild felids (Leopardus guinia)] and with minimal veterinary assistance. Overall, this neglected angio-neurotropic G. paralysans nematode still represents an important etiology of severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis of domestic cats living in endemic rural areas with high biodiversity of definitive hosts (DH), intermediary (IH), and paratenic hosts (PH). The intention of this study is to generate awareness among veterinary surgeons as well as biologists on this neglected feline neuroparasitosis not only affecting domestic cats but also endangered wild felid species of the genus Leopardus within the South American continent.

Multifunctional Characterization of Family Farming in Rural Settlements in Campo Maior, Piauí

Objetivo: Caracterizar a multifuncionalidade da agricultura familiar nos assentamentos rurais Fazenda Boa Vista e Brejinho, em Campo Maior, Piauí. Referencial Teórico: A agricultura familiar nos assentamentos rurais é multifuncional por ensejar quatro dimensões: socioeconômica, tecido social e cultural, segurança alimentar e preservação dos recursos naturais. A caracterização dessas dimensões permite compreender o território, promovendo debates que podem contribuir na construção de políticas públicas de desenvolvimento. Método: Foram realizadas pesquisas de campo, com coleta e análise de dados mediante visitas técnicas, turnês-guiadas e aplicação de formulários semiestruturados com 56 famílias, em 56 lotes. Resultados e conclusões: A agricultura familiar multifuncional nos assentamentos Fazenda Boa Vista e Brejinho, embora possibilite práticas culturais e técnicas sustentáveis, não garante a segurança alimentar e nem a renda principal dos assentados, carecendo de apoio mais eficiente das políticas públicas, em especial de assistência técnica. Também foram constatados impactos ambientais nos territórios, como desmatamento e queima do lixo. Implicações da Pesquisa: A caracterização multifuncional da agricultura familiar adotada se mostrou profícua, possibilitando a avaliação sistêmica dos assentamentos rurais, o qual pode auxiliar nas políticas públicas de gestão desses assentamentos. Originalidade/valor: O método de caracterização baseado na multifuncionalidade da agricultura familiar permite uma análise social, econômica e ambiental detalhada dos assentamentos rurais, podendo ainda ser adotado em pesquisas similares.

Driving Force–Pressure–State–Impact–Response-Based Evaluation of Rural Human Settlements’ Resilience and Their Influencing Factors: Evidence from Guangdong, China

During urbanization, rural human settlements experience dual pressures from both ecology and culture. Strengthening resilience can enhance the system’s ability to withstand external pressures and restore equilibrium, providing a new research perspective and practical approach for the sustainable development of rural areas. Yet, there are limited reports in the literature on evaluating and improving rural human settlements resilience. To fill this gap, the paper establishes an evaluation system utilizing the DPSIR framework and entropy method. It employs 115 counties and districts in Guangdong Province as samples to evaluate rural human settlements’ resilience in 2020. The Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model is used to analyze spatial differences and the influencing mechanisms of various factors on resilience. The results suggest that the overall rural human settlements’ resilience in Guangdong Province is relatively low, showing a concentrated spatial distribution and also variations in the levels and spatial distributions of resilience across different dimensions. Moreover, various dimensions of resilience significantly impact rural human settlements. The driving force resilience coefficients are all significantly positive, with higher values in Western Guangdong and Eastern Guangdong. The pressure resilience coefficients are all significantly negative, decreasing from east to west. The state resilience coefficients show an overall positive correlation, with lower values in the central and northern parts and higher values in the eastern and western parts. The impact resilience and response resilience coefficients are generally positive, with higher values in the Pearl River Delta. This paper extends the theoretical framework for evaluating and analyzing rural human settlements’ resilience, offering empirical evidence to optimize their resilience in a geographical context.

Inside or outside the house? On the spatial organisation of plant-related activities at the Late Bronze Age settlement of Dobbin 27, northern Germany

Abstract In northern Germany, crop diversity was much greater in the Late Bronze Age than in previous periods. To trace this development at a local scale, we conducted an archaeobotanical case study at the site of Dobbin 27, a rural settlement in north-eastern Germany dating to the Late Bronze Age. Charred seeds and fruits were recovered and the spatial distribution of these remains was analysed in order to understand the spatial organisation of plant-related activities at the site, principally plant processing. We discovered that the inhabitants processed cereals outside the house, in open areas of the settlement. Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were the most common finds in the archaeobotanical samples; small proportions of pulses and wild fruits and nuts were also found. This shows that a wide range of plants was used by the prehistoric community at Dobbin 27. A regional comparison of the plant macro-remains record from Dobbin 27 with that from contemporary sites reveals both differences and similarities in crop choices and other aspects of the plant economy.

Stage at Presentation and Associated Factors for Late Diagnosis of Head and Neck Malignancies at Bugando Medical Centre Tanzania

Head and neck cancer is among the most common cancers with an increase in number worldwide. It has a management challenge due to late-stage presentation. Its epidemiology and characteristics are changing from anatomical to biological due to its viral etiological. This study was done to determine the presentation and factors of head and neck malignancies at Bugando Medical Centre Tanzania. This was an analytical cross-section prospective study involving all patients confirmed to have head and neck malignancy at Bugando Medical Centre from February to June 2019. A total number of 60 patients (M: F=1.4:1) were studied. The median age was 56 years. The associated factors were the symptoms ranging from 1 to 104 weeks at the first consultation, Late-stage observed among patients coming from the rural areas by 58.3% and those using local medicine at 70%. Low level of education, which was primary education, was leading 51.7%. Those who attended the dispensary for their first consultation had an advanced stage of disease at presentation. It showed that the dispensary was the preferred centre for the first consultation of the majority at 41%. The major of patients presented at an advanced stage which was 73% and the contributory factor of delayed presentation of head and neck cancer at Bugando Medical Centre was attributed by patients themselves, whereas health care had a small contribution. The main reasons observed were rural settlement, local medication, and low level of education. Training must be conducted at health care providers in dispensaries and health centres on how to suspect patients with HNC at an early stage and refer them directly to tertiary hospitals without passing through a series of referrals

Spatial constraints or spatial dynamics? The spatial spillover effect of networks of flood regulation service flows on land-use degree.

In the face of frequent floods under climate and environmental changes, it is particularly important to measure the supply and demand of flood regulation services. Using the Hainan Island as an illustrative case, this study constructs a spatial spillover model to examine the spatial correlation mode and evolution of regional land-use degree through the network of ecosystem service flow. The research results show that forests, grasslands, and reservoirs function as the primary suppliers of flood regulation services, with forests contributing significantly to the regulation of floods. High flood risk was identified in the eastern, northern, and western regions of the Hainan Island, corresponding to increased demand for flood regulation services in croplands, towns, and rural settlements within these areas. The flow of flood regulation services within the Hainan Island was found to be directed from the center to the surrounding areas, with medium and high service flows predominantly concentrated in the northern and surrounding regions. The degree of land use on the Hainan Island demonstrated an influence on socio-economic development. Additionally, the flow network of ecological services was identified as a crucial factor in spatial spillovers, reflecting the level of interaction between county units.

Petrophysical Analyses of Rock Construction Materials from a Roman Rural Settlement in Podšilo Bay on Rab Island (North-East Adriatic, Croatia).

This article presents the results of petrophysical analyses of limestones and sandstones used for the construction of the wall structures of a Roman rural settlement located in Podšilo Bay on Rab Island (Croatia). An on-site analysis of the walls indicated the use of different lithotypes, which is an uncommon case in the area. So far, no petrophysical properties of the applied materials have been tested, and their provenance has not been specified. The aim of this research was to determine their usability as construction materials in an attempt to determine the possible reasons behind the usage of multiple lithotypes and their suitability as building materials. The following procedure was used to address these issues: (1) determination of the petrographic characteristics of the rocks, (2) performance of tests to characterise the mechanical properties in a complex stress state of uniaxial tension followed by uniaxial and triaxial compression, and, finally, (3) determination of the internal structure of the rocks using methods based on X-ray imaging. Multi-proxy characteristics of the materials including numerous observations and methods were performed: optical microscopy used to characterise rock petrography and mineralogy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDS, as well as grinding tests; furthermore, mechanical properties were determined on cylindrical samples in accordance with European standards. X-ray microtomography using the XμCT method enabled microscopic observations and determination of the orientation of discontinuities and the rock structure. The performed analyses allowed us to distinguish three lithological types of sandstone and two types of limestone among the examined stone blocks. Stone blocks of fine- and medium-grained sandstone with carbonate binders, as well as sparitic limestone and mudstone with calcite veins, were used to build the studied structures. The analysed blocks showed traces of partial edge processing. Despite the defects in the material structure identified using XμCT, all the types of rock were characterised by high or very high strength. High values of longitudinal wave velocity confirmed the good quality of the material. These results contribute to a better understanding of the construction process and the related technological choices, and they provide the first dataset which can be used for the reconstruction of the building's original appearance in the future.

Finding the missing many: improving Tuberculosis care in Kajiado county through active case finding and community approaches

BackgroundTuberculosis related deaths remain a priority globally. Despite advancements in TB care, access to quality care remains inequitable to the disadvantage of those in rural and urban informal settlements. The Awareness, Traditions, and Innovation in combating Tuberculosis (ATI TB) project incorporated active case finding (ACF), use of GeneXpert technology and decentralized services to improve TB care in Kajiado County. This study sought to establish the impact of the project as well as implementation lessons learnt during its tenure in Kajiado County, Kenya.MethodsThis evaluation adopted a mixed-methods approach with retrospective cohort analysis for the quantitative data and qualitative data sought through key informant interviews with 28 purposively sampled respondents. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically using Taguette while quantitative data was analyzed using R Software yielding descriptive statistics and measures of association.ResultsWhile the males were a minority among the presumptive cases (623; 46%), they were the majority (59.3%) among the confirmed TB cases. 70% of the confirmed cases were aged between 15 and 44 years; with those aged between 25- and 34-years being majority (30% of the cases). Majority of the confirmed cases within the project were from rural Kajiado West (79; 66.9%). Though 61% of the presumptive cases were through ACF, only 7% of these tested positive. Conversely, 13% of the self-referrals tested positive. 53% (66) of the positive cases with valid data were self-referrals while ACF accounted for 47% (58) of the positives.ConclusionContinued capacity development among health workers, sustained and targeted sensitization and screening among vulnerable groups, strategic collaborations, alongside increased budgetary prioritization of health and TB care by government and partners, and government investments in Social Determinants of Health can ensure gains in TB care are sustained.

Exploring Willingness to Pay across Different Passenger Traits

In recent years, the transportation landscape has seen a notable shift towards shared mobility, driven by its advantages over traditional systems fraught with inefficiencies. This shift has ushered in demand-responsive transport (DRT) systems, enabled by mobile technology. DRT offers a promising solution for the sustainability of public transport, also for rural Slovakia; however, higher individual journey costs and the necessity for online booking create adoption barriers for this new form. This paper conducts a thorough willingness-to-pay analysis in seven rural Slovak settlements, with the goal of understanding variations and comparing the findings with the existing research. Location, household size, age, car and train usage, and previous experiences with bus transport significantly impact the willingness to pay. Consequently, tailored DRT strategies are necessary for different target groups. To maximize the efficiency of this service, integrating DRT into the regional or national public transportation network is recommended. Insights from this study hold significant implications for policymakers tasked with transforming regional transportation, particularly by integrating DRT into fixed-route bus systems.

Accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Scorpion stings are common in many Brazilian environments, especially in rural areas. In this descriptive survey, we evaluated the frequency of accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, Southest Brazil. We used a random sample of 158 participants from the adult population living in the Mario Lago Rural Settlement, located in the “Fazenda da Barra”, rural area of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Approximately three-eighths of the participants had been stung by scorpions. More than 90% had encountered scorpions in their homes or yards, and 13.9% had been stung in the previous 12 months. Hands, feet, arms, and legs were the most common sting sites, and 72.5% reported that the accident occurred inside their homes. Our data suggest that the incidence rate of scorpion accidents found in this rural settlement is much higher than that found in the entire municipality of Ribeirão Preto. These findings highlight the importance of training programs and improvements in sanitary services to prevent scorpion stings in rural communities.

The Evolution Path and Impact Mechanism of the Vulnerability of Rural Human Settlements in China under the Background of Globalization

Development in the rural environment is a key pillar motivating international organizations' functions and operations. The development in this area falls under the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development of the UN. Rural development and factors such as culture might be utilized to achieve such agenda and improve populations living in conditions. The current study was literature systemic reviewing the evolution path and the impact mechanism on the issue of rural human settlement. Results in the current study showed that natural ecosystems, socioeconomic systems, facilities, and service systems all follow one of seven general evolution paths. Terrain and ecology, climate change and catastrophe, the agricultural and rural economy, population increase, and other factors all contribute to disruption. Policy, technology, and the habits of individual households inform the development of action plans. Every evolutionary outcome has both fragile and hardy features. The government and individual families took measures to lower vulnerability and increase resilience by concentrating on the actual problem of the rural human settlements system. Further, the study observed that the effects of rural human settlements on rural development occur in a systematic way. These changes, most obviously seen in the form of new and improved rural human settlement projects, have the potential to affect many facets of the human settlement system as a whole, making it cleaner, more practical, more harmonic, and generally more pleasant places to live. These benefits will have a multiplicative impact on the health, wealth, and happiness of rural residents; the efficiency, modernity, and prosperity of rural businesses; and the quality of life in rural areas.

Re-thinking rurality: Towards a new research approach and rural-urban spatial gradient establishment in Serbia

The research on the rural-urban gradient in Serbia has been reinvigorated following the debate on rural bias. Rural-urban classification is essential in observing spatial, demographic, socio-economic, and environmental processes. There is no consensus regarding the definition of rural and rurality and it should not be observed separately from urban issues. In Serbia, it is still a matter of dispute. Rural is most often observed through the urban–rural dichotomy and “left behind” for decades. This paper strives for a new theoretical understanding of the rurality in Serbia by introducing rural heterogeneity and ‘continuing’ rurality, considering the transformative phase they are affected by. It induces a process of rethinking what rurality in Serbia is and offers an innovative methodological approach for rural delineation and settlement classification based on three main pillars: settlement patterns, functional patterns, and local relevance. The analysis is conducted on the lowest administrative level in Central Serbia. Five types of settlements are identified: two urban, and three characterized by rural features. The combination of abstractions and the methodological opportunities introduced by rethinking rurality offers geographers and practitioners a powerful methodological tool for the understanding of rural transformations and transitional spatial forms, which underpins planning and policy-making in Serbia.

The land transport efficiency in Wasit Governorate: Urban and rural settlements

The study of human factors and the extent of their impact on the construction of land transport roads is of great importance because they are variable factors, which are on the contrary natural factors, and the impact of human factors on road construction operations is evident through the study of population distribution and size, and economic activities (agricultural, industrial, tourism). And its direct mutual relationship with the construction and extension of land transport routes and the development of each of them, and then directing them to serve urban and rural human settlements, which leads to their development and improvement of their economic, living and social conditions on the one hand, and contributes to the emergence of new centers for human settlement on the other hand.