Territorial Development Research Articles

Конкурентоспроможність туристичних дестинацій в умовах сучасних викликів

Modern tourist destinations in the world are a driver of the socio-economic development of territories, exerting a positive influence on the growth rate of the gross regional product, increasing profits, and the development of adjacent branches of the national economy, closely related to tourism. The need for accelerated development of the tourism industry makes it necessary to solve the problem of increasing the competitiveness of the national tourist product in both domestic and foreign markets. Such a task is especially relevant now, as most tourist destinations face fierce competition. The significance of this publication lies in its exploration of the competitiveness of tourist destinations, the identification of factors that shape their competitive advantages, and the proposal of strategies to enhance their development. This research is not just informative, but it is also crucial for understanding the dynamics of the tourism industry and for guiding future strategies in this field. The article examines the essence and nature of the popularity of tourism. Tourism development was determined to affect enterprises’ successful operations in the tourism industry and related industries. The Tourism Industry Development Index was studied, and specific global trends such as digitalization, sustainability, and changing consumer preferences affecting the tourism industry were determined. The essence of the tourist destination is substantiated, and it is stated that competitiveness is necessary for its stable and prosperous development. According to the evaluations of various scientific studies, the factors that form competitive advantages and the directions of their creation have been determined. It is justified that the destination’s competitiveness implies safety, efficiency, quality, high productivity, adaptability, success, modern management, excellent products, and low costs. The competitiveness of tourist destinations can be significantly enhanced through the efficient and rational use of environmental, social, and cultural resources. This research not only provides valuable insights into the competitive strategies but also equips the reader with actionable knowledge that can be adopted to elevate the status of a territory in the hospitality sector. Keywords: tourism, tourist destination, competitive advantages, competitiveness, socio-economic development.

Проблемы реализации муниципальной социальной политики в сельских поселениях российской Арктики: пример Приморского округа Архангельской области

This article examines the challenges in shaping and developing digital competencies among the population during the transition to a digital economy, using the dominant employer in an Arctic monotown as a case study. The impact of digital technologies on the socio-economic aspects of territorial development has not been thoroughly studied, and the development of digital competencies in the population of monotowns remains underexplored and requires further research. The authors highlight the importance of addressing the development of digital competencies among employees and the digital culture of dominant employers, considering regional factors crucial for formulating development strategies for both individual companies and territories (monotowns). The goal of this study is to assess the readiness of executives, managers, and specialists at the dominant company in an Arctic monotown to implement digital processes. The key objectives are to identify and classify the preferences of these executives, managers, and specialists regarding the current level of business digitalization. Our review of studies on the topic confirmed the variation in the development of regional digital infrastructure, influenced by regional development characteristics, the specific labor resources in monotowns, and the impact of dominant employers on digital competency development. To conduct the study, a questionnaire was developed to identify the preferences of senior and middle managers at the company. Electronic document management was chosen as the focus area, as digitalization often begins with this process, leading to varied assessments by employees, including instances of opportunism. Our analysis of the responses revealed a moderate relationship between work experience and preference for electronic document management, as well as a correlation between work experience and the willingness to improve specialized competencies. There was a high overall recognition of the need for continuous development and training. The results identified key areas for digital competency development among the company’s staff.

Planowanie terenów rolniczych w Bułgarii - obecna funkcjonalność prawodawstwa i perspektywy

Development Planning for the Agricultural Territory is a problematic activity in Bulgaria in terms of the existing legal requirements. Bulgarian legislation contains certain gaps in regulating and technically ensuring the agricultural land planning. This is well settled in relation to the other types of territories like the Urban, Forest, and Protected ones, which planning rules and activities are regulated in details. The purpose of the paper is firstly to justify the necessity of improving and detailing the legal regulations for the agricultural land development planning, and secondly to suggest some expert approaches for improving and harmonization of legislation in connection with registration of the agricultural property by Agricultural Territory Development Plan (ATDP), Restored Property Map (RPM) and Cadastral Map (CM). The current legal grounds for planning development of the agricultural land in Bulgaria are presented and analysed. Lack of detailed regulations on their scope, content and operation have been found. It is also a matter of applicability of the newly created municipal CMs in settling land relations such as purchases and sales of land, inheritances, divisions, and changing the primary purpose of use of Agricultural Territory for construction. The completeness of CM with information about the quality of agricultural lands is still not regulated by Cadaster and Property Register Act. The paper contains specific proposals for amendments in Spatial Planning Act, Cadastral and Property Registry Act and Agricultural Land Ownership and Use Act.

Правовые меры обеспечения права на благоприятные условия жизнедеятельности при комплексном развитии территорий

This article examines the content and essence of the right to favorable living conditions, as well as its correlation with environmental rights and sanitary habitat rights. The author examines the specifics of legal measures to ensure the rights to favorable living conditions within the framework of the integrated development of territories, including the decision on the complex territorial development and the development of master plans.

ACTIVATING DIRECTIONS OF THE RESORT TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT FOR MEDICAL REHABILITATION NEEDS

Topicality. Activation resort areas development for medical rehabilitation purposes requires a comprehensive approach and interaction of various socio-economic spheres such as medicine, tourism, infrastructure, ecology, and economy. However, current realities necessitate considering all these spheres from the perspective of economic benefit and financial sustainability. Natural assets, especially therapeutic ones, play a significant role in the activation of rehabilitation resort areas. Rehabilitation using therapeutic assets can be considered part of the broader sector of medical and wellness services, which includes hospitals, clinics, sanatoriums, rehabilitation centers, and other medical institutions that provide services for treatment, health restoration, and maintaining physical and mental well-being. Rehabilitation also has a socially significant role, not only in terms of health improvement and integration into the lives of people with disabilities but also in creating jobs, improving the standard of living, developing infrastructure, and attracting investments. Aim and tasks. The aim of the article is to determine the benchmarks for ensuring the sustainable development of resort areas for medical rehabilitation purposes through effective management of natural and other assets to improve the quality of services, preserve the environment, and ensure economic growth. The objectives of the research are to identify the principles by which the area and rehabilitation and wellness services will be developed using the therapeutic and other assets of the resort economy subjects, and to substantiate the directions for activating its development. Materials and Methods. The article used a comprehensive approach that includes literature analysis, statistical and empirical research, and comparative analysis. This allowed for obtaining reliable data, identifying opportunities, and developing recommendations for effective management of natural and other assets to improve the quality of services, preserve the environment, and ensure economic growth. Research results. The research substantiated that in the post-war period the need for rehabilitation and rehabilitation will increase significantly. This necessitates the development of rehabilitation areas. This also confirms that almost 2/3 of the population of Ukraine is under constant stress, 15 million need psychological rehabilitation, and 10 million have problems with their emotional state and mental health. This is supported by a 60% increase in budget spending on rehabilitation needs in 2023. Conclusion. The article highlights that despite the war events, steps towards environmental protection and sustainable use of natural assets have moved in the direction of the requirements of European legislation. However, failure to adopt the improved law on eco-audit leads to the uncontrolled use of natural medicinal assets in the rehabilitation and recovery of war aggression personnel and the population. Currently, the country is undergoing large-scale transformations of socio-economic policy in the direction of rehabilitation, but so far the institutional base for the development of territories and the generalization of the regulatory basis is not capable of ensuring the development of the resort economy. In this regard, we offer a set of indicators in accordance with the principles and directions for the development of the resort area for the needs of rehabilitation and recovery.

УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ПРОЕКТАМИ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ С УЧЁТОМ РЕСУРСНОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА

This article discusses the features of project management for sustainable development of territories, taking into account the resource potential. The research topic is relevant because the resource potential of the Russian Federation ensures the strategic development and stability of the development of territories in the international arena. The purpose of the study is to study the functioning of project management for sustainable development of territories, taking into account the resource potential, namely, the construction of a socially adapted society with the allocation of public funds. Proactive budgeting as one of the types of financial institutions in the modern world is gaining relevance, as it allows the population to independently propose economically developed projects to improve people's livelihoods.

Experience of Paleotectodynamic Analysis of Rank Components of Mesozoic-Cenozoic Movements and Deformations Using the Example of the Central Part of Bukharo-Khiva Region

The article describes the methodological basis and some first experience results of applying paleotectodynamic analysis of tectonic movements rank components and deformations to study the features of geological development of a certain territory of the Bukharo-Khiva region central part in the Mesozoic – Cenozoic. The relevance of the work is determined by the need to revise the traditional methods of historical and structural analysis, based on which the conditions of formation and age of oil and gas structural traps are determined to improve the reliability of prognostic works. Paleotectodynamic analysis, as a new direction of studying the geologic evolution history, provides an assessment of the duration of manifestation of tectodynamic systems (paleotectonic stresses, tectonic movements and deformations) of different ranks in geologic history, study of the paleotectonic development of rank components of tectonic movements and deformations in the intervals of tectodynamic system action, determination of the relative age of formation of structural elements, their inheritance, as well as determination of the relative age of formation of structural elements, their inheritance, role or contribution to the geological evolution.The main indicator, on the basis of which the possibility to identify an independent (integral) tectodynamic system is determined, is the stress field type and deformation regime. In the Mesozoic – Cenozoic of the western part of the Tien Shan, five phases of alternating change of tectonic stress fields of the first (for this region) rank and associated deformation regimes were identified. In the first approximation, they correspond to: Early – Middle Jurassic, Late Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene-Quaternary time. On this basis, the paper substantiates the necessity to revise and modify the classical methods of historical-structural (paleotectonic) analysis, which should be performed for each rank component separately, taking into account the interaction of both peer-to-peer and multi-rank elements. In this approach, the most important indicator is the feedback sign between different rank elements of tectodynamic systems. On the example of the central part of the Bukharo-Khiva oil-and-gas-bearing region, paleotectonic maps-schemes of three ranks for the above-mentioned time intervals were obtained. The previously unknown features of the structural plans of different horizons and their evolution in the Mesozoic – Cenozoic history were established. They served as a basis for further traditional historical-structural analysis with the construction of isopachic triangles along the selected intervals for each rank component in order to assess the tectonic conditions and time of formation of anticlinal oil and gas traps.

Methodological aspects of management of sustainable development of agricultural industrial and rural territories: measurement, planning, forecast

The article deals with the change in the “paradigm” of the agricultural economy that occurred and was recorded in the “Concept for the Development of Rural Territories of the Russian Federation” in 2010 (developed in the “Strategy for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030”, 2015 [1]), but is not widely recognized (according to T. Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions), which is reflected in the increasing complexity of the systems studied by scientific economists -agrarians: agriculture (mechanistic model and independent controllable variables) — agro-industrial complex (intelligent observable system, the possibility of implementing management and quality control) — rural areas (“multi-intelligent observing systems” — social model, interdependent variables). Therefore, today it is impossible to reduce all agroeconomic research to “maximizing profit per worker or per unit of area”. Based on the need to apply a systematic approach, in conditions of challenges and sanctions, the need to expand the capabilities of traditional cost assessments based on the use of indicators (natural and relative assessments) of the quality of management decision-making is substantiated. When developing methods of analysis and management (agriculture, agro-industrial complex, rural areas), it should be taken into account that the systems approach updated in the work has also undergone three transformations over 80 years: operations research (optimization of agricultural production) or cybernetics 1.0; cybernetics 2.0 and open systems (quality management); cyber-physical systems in agriculture and agro-industrial complex.

Developing a method for diagnosing the level of the Kirov Region social and economic development within the Volga Federal District of the Russian Federation

The authors have set the task to assess the socio-economic development level of the Kirov Region. The Volga Federal District has been chosen as the base of comparison. The key problems of the Russian constituent entities territorial development have been analyzed, and the authors’ methods of characterizing the regional social and economic development level published in early scientific works studied. The order of calculating normative values for selected indicators used to assess the Volga Federal District regions has been given. The diagnostic procedure has been carried out to characterize the Kirov Region social and economic development level in comparison with other district entities in the context of the economic development pace and the regional development overall level. Based on the analysis, the initial hypothesis of the study has been confirmed, and conclusions drawn about the general lag of the region from the federal district, while higher rates of its development in comparison with other regions of the Volga Federal District noted. The study results application scope consists in its further use within the framework of scientific works on asses–sing economic development of other district entities, as well as the used methodology application for other entities. The conclusion formulates further direction for improving the diagnostics of the Kirov Region social and economic development level and names specific steps to detail and clarify the future study results.

Refining the scale of the rural-urban landscape: A policy-relevant application to Chile

The rural-urban divide has traditionally been used to characterize key features of regions, including features of economic geography like density and connectivity that determine the prospects for economic growth and other dimensions of territorial development. In this paper, we develop a methodology that identifies areas along the urban-rural continuum according to their key features of population density and distance to large urban settlements at a more-detailed scale than the smallest administrative areas, taking Chile as a case study, a country that has experienced a rapid socio-economic transition over the last three decades. Information derived from the application of this methodology allows the identification of geographic categories according to observable density and distance. We also present geographic definitions of urban, rural, and mixed areas, which allow a practical, policy-relevant taxonomy of the rural-urban landscape, consistent with the 3-tier approach taken in most OECD countries. We demonstrate the relevance and practical importance of this smaller-scale approach by showing that, in the case of Chile, there is a significant mismatch between the official, cruder definitions, based on political subdivisions and currently in use by the government, and the realities of the country's present rural-urban landscape. Our results demonstrate that a focus on the scale at which information can be interpreted and summarized is not merely an academic exercise, but a way of correctly identifying, within the policymaking framework, communities according to the realities of their needs and capabilities.

The institutional intervention of disaster risk management as a territorial development strategy in the Chillanes canton

Canton Chillanes is a territory vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic risks. For this reason, institutional intervention is critical to meet the population's needs. However, the reality is different since the territory under study does not have the assistance of the local Risk Management Unit (UGR) despite its vulnerability. In this context, the study's objective is to know the institutional reality regarding the process under study and the population's perception of disaster risks. For this purpose, descriptive, documentary, and field research were conducted to determine a representative sample of the population under study and analyze information provided by those involved in Risk Management of the Decentralized Autonomous Government (GAD) of Chillanes. The results show that almost 100% of those surveyed indicate no adequate risk management and that at least 80% are unaware of the territory's vulnerability to adverse events. Despite this background, the municipal entity's RGU has not been strengthened, becoming one of the leading institutional weaknesses. Keywords: Hazards; institutional strengthening; risk management; governance; processes; risk reduction.

The institutional intervention of disaster risk management as a territorial development strategy in the Chillanes canton

Canton Chillanes is a territory vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic risks. For this reason, institutional intervention is critical to meet the population's needs. However, the reality is different since the territory under study does not have the assistance of the local Risk Management Unit (UGR) despite its vulnerabil-ity. In this context, the study's objective is to know the institutional reality regarding the process under study and the population's perception of disaster risks. For this purpose, descriptive, documentary, and field research were conducted to determine a representative sample of the population under study and ana-lyze information provided by those involved in Risk Management of the Decentralized Autonomous Gov-ernment (GAD) of Chillanes. The results show that almost 100% of those surveyed indicate no adequate risk management and that at least 80% are unaware of the territory's vulnerability to adverse events. De-spite this background, the municipal entity's RGU has not been strengthened, becoming one of the leading institutional weaknesses. Keywords: Hazards; institutional strengthening; risk management; governance; processes; risk reduction.

Peasant Displacement and Food Sustainability: The Colombian Case

Social migration affects the development of rural territories in multiple ways, as it poses a threat to food security and hinders the achievement of sustainable development objectives. The purpose of this research is to represent peasant migration and measure its impact on food security, since it creates conditions that alter people’s access to healthy food. Our research question is: What variables can be used to measure the impact of peasant migration on food security? A three-stage model is implemented, which includes (i) the acquisition of knowledge, (ii) the representation of knowledge, and (iii) decision-making. These stages are the basis of the methodology developed by the ARCOSES research group (Méndez A. System Dynamics and Social Problems. Bogotá: Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, 2012). The model developed to represent peasant migration and its impact on food security has five components. The model representation was applied in 58 typical rural municipalities, observing a potential loss of 30,580,000 tons of food, which amounts to 5% of the national production. Likewise, it was observed that 70% of migrating farmers are part of the economically active population. Colombian governorships should strive towards a greater and more comprehensive development of rural municipalities in order to avoid massive displacement to urban regions, which affects the availability of rural labor, causes poor agricultural production levels and compromises food sustainability. To ensure peasants’ full access to food and their well-being, an assertive intervention should be carried out by the Colombian State.

APPLICATION OF LASER SCANNING DATA IN SOLVING TERRITORIAL PLANNING PROBLEMS

The article aims to thoroughly investigate and analyse the possibilities of using laser scanning data in spatial planning. The main goal is to identify the potential of this technology to improve the efficiency and accuracy of planning processes, particularly in the urban environment. The LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data integration into territorial planning is fundamental to modern urban management frameworks. Using the precise and comprehensive geospatial data obtained through LiDAR scanning provides a reliable basis for conducting in-depth analysis and strategic decision-making in territorial development initiatives. LiDAR technology offers unparalleled accuracy and detail, enabling urban planners to effectively map and visualise various aspects of urban environments, including topography, land use patterns, infrastructure, and natural features. With this extensive information, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into existing spatial dynamics, identify potential areas for development or conservation, and assess the impact of proposed projects on the surrounding landscape. Moreover, integrating LiDAR data facilitates the optimisation of urban resource management processes. City authorities can streamline land use planning, infrastructure development, and environmental management efforts by accurately delineating land plots and infrastructure networks. In turn, it promotes more efficient allocation of resources, minimises operational costs, and enhances overall urban sustainability. Furthermore, LiDAR technology is crucial in enhancing urban resilience and adaptability. Generating high-resolution elevation models and floodplain maps allows urban planners to identify areas prone to natural hazards such as floods, landslides, or coastal erosion. With this knowledge, city planners can implement proactive measures to mitigate risks, improve disaster preparedness, and safeguard community well-being. In contemporary urban challenges, such as climate change and rapid urbanisation, LiDAR technology is becoming increasingly indispensable. By embracing LiDAR technology, urban planners can develop more resilient and sustainable cities better equipped to withstand and adapt to evolving environmental, social, and economic pressures. In essence, the effective utilisation of LiDAR data in territorial planning enhances spatial planning accuracy and fosters innovation, resilience, and sustainability within urban environments. By harnessing the power of LiDAR technology, cities can pave the way toward a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient future for generations to come. Keywords: data, laser scanning, territorial planning, potential, accuracy, efficiency, analysis, prospects.

Социальная поляризация и дифференциация доходов населения по оси «Север-Центр»

The article focuses on the problem of social polarization in the global context and on the level of particular countries. The subject of the study is the economic and social parameters of functioning mechanisms of territorial development in the conditions of existing instability and social risk. Income differentiation is considered as a key factor of social distancing of society and as a determinant of social instability. The authors compare data from reports of international economic organizations, statistical bulletins and publications of the scientific community. The proportions of income inequality are analyzed in the cross-country and intra-country contexts; as an example, the regional differentiation of the Russian Arctic territories, as well as the urban and rural population of China, are assessed. Dynamic changes in absolute and relative terms of living standard indicators confirm the hypothesis of increasing social polarization. The development of the Russian Arctic territories demonstrates an imbalance between the living standards of the population and the perceived quality of life, while the main trends of regional inequality in China have clear group characteristics. The identified patterns can be used to adjust social and regional policies, to determine the parameters of development strategies and the content of government programs and projects.

Research on Territorial Spatial Development Non-Equilibrium and Temporal–Spatial Patterns from a Conjugate Perspective: Evidence from Chinese Provincial Panel Data

Clarifying the intrinsic nature and formation mechanisms of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium, optimizing the allocation of territorial resources, promoting regional balanced development, and alleviating regional development disparities have become common endeavors of all countries seeking to enhance development quality. This study, based on the land use and socio-economic data of 31 provinces and cities in China from 2006 to 2020, utilized the kernel density estimation method and ArcGIS spatial analysis to explore the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of China’s territorial spatial development non-equilibrium. The research findings are as follows: (1) From 2006 to 2020, both the land development intensity and land supply capacity showed an increasing trend, with increases of 21.4% and 8.03%, respectively. However, their spatiotemporal evolutions significantly differed. (2) The state of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium in China significantly improved, with a rising trend in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree. Regional disparities in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree decreased. The number of provinces and cities in a state of underdevelopment decreased from 23 to 8, while the number in an equilibrium state increased from 7 to 21. The central and western regions showed more significant improvements in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree and a greater reduction in regional disparity when compared to the eastern and northeastern regions. (3) China exhibited distinct regional disparities in the territorial spatial equilibrium degree. The overdeveloped areas were Beijing and Shanghai. The underdeveloped regions were primarily concentrated in western areas, including Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xinjiang. The high-level equilibrium regions were predominantly located in the southeastern coastal provinces and the central plains region, while the low-level equilibrium regions included Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Qinghai, and the three northeastern provinces. (4) From the perspective of the number of agglomeration types, the order is HH (high–high) > LH (low–high) > LL (low–low) > HL (high–low), and China’s TSED exhibits a spatial proximity peer effect. The innovation of this study consists of the following aspects: (1) The clarification of the fact that the essence of equilibrium does not require an exact 1:1 match, as with “two horses”; rather, it entails the maintenance of a slight surplus of land supply capacity over land development intensity. This approach allows the possibility of future sustainable development by leaving room for expansion. (2) The differentiation between high-intensity conjugation (in terms of both quantity and quality) and low-intensity conjugation (quantity only) from a conjugate perspective. This categorization aids in a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the territorial spatial development non-equilibrium and its spatiotemporal patterns. It provides crucial information for the formulation of sustainable national territorial development plans and the promotion of a regional development equilibrium.

Comprehensive social and medical security for Ukrainian migrant workers: Degree of protection

AbstractLabour migration is one of the features of the modern labour market. The development of transport infrastructure, the spread of non‐standard forms of employment, the globalization of all spheres of human activity and the growing unevenness of territorial development led to an increase in the mobility of the economically active population. In addition, various environmental disasters or military actions, such as the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine in February 2022, have an impact on the spread of migration. Labour migration undoubtedly contributes to the redistribution of labour and the efficiency of human capital. At the same time, like most other manifestations of a flexible labour market, labour migration poses a threat to weakening the social protection of workers, and therefore requires new, non‐standard approaches to the organization of social security. Several scientific methods were used to conduct the study, including general scientific approaches such as dialectic, analysis, synthesis, abstraction and analogy. In addition, specific legal methods were used, in particular, formal legal, comparative legal and systemic‐structural approaches. The purpose of this article is to study the current state of legislation and state policy on the social security of labour migrants. The aim is to identify existing problems and develop recommendations for their solution with the ultimate goal of improving the social protection of labour migrants.

Orthodox Monasteries as Centers of Christian Civilization on the Eastern Borders of the Russian State

The study is devoted to the history and activities of monastic monasteries in Siberia, their importance in the context of the integration of Siberian territories into the Russian statehood, due to the duration of the processes of Christianization: from the creation of a church administrative unit in Siberia (1620) and completion at the beginning of the twentieth century. The research involved complex and communicative approaches, axiological aspects and methodology of local history, involving the reconstruction of a regional historical narrative. It is noted that the establishment of monastic monasteries has become an important factor in the spread of Russian statehood. The ways of creating monasteries related to both monastic and public initiatives, as well as by decision of the diocesan authorities, are considered. We pay attention to the scientific discourse of modern historical science on the issues of dating the establishment of monastic monasteries and an individual research approach. The contribution of monasteries to the economic development of territories is determined, the main directions of social and educational activities of monastics are indicated. We consider the role of the women’s Orthodox communities of Siberia in the second half of the XIX century, contributing to the strengthening of the ideological basis of the empire, influencing the formation of moral and value attitudes and improving the educational level of local ethnic groups. The special role of monasteries in the history of the region is justified, due to the territorial and climatic conditions, the multi-confessional and multilingual nature of Siberia, when a few monks performed various functions, engaged in missionary, socio-educational and educational activities. We draw a conclusion that Orthodox monasteries in Siberia were outposts of the spread and establishment of Christian civilization, monasteries provided communication with the non-ethnic population, involving them in the Orthodox mentality, forming a vector of the socio-cultural topos of the peoples of Siberia.

E-SMART Assessment for Rural Areas (Case Study of Veliko Tarnovo Region, Bulgaria)

Abstract The research topic is motivated by the fact that rural areas in Bulgaria are lagging behind in their economic, social and territorial development compared to urban areas, despite European Union support policies for regional development and cohesion. Regardless of the fact that more and more the specialized literature investigating the development of rural areas emphasizes multifaceted factors, including environmental, social and technological aspects, there is a lack of a complex approach to analysis and assessment of their condition. Therefore, the authors set out to develop and demonstrate the application of a comprehensive E-SMART evaluation model based on a combination of 6 groups of factors with a significant impact on the socio-economic development of rural areas. The approbation of the toolkit was carried out in the seven rural municipalities in the Veliko Tarnovo region. The analysis of the results of the groups of factors – economic, social, manufacturing, agriculture, resources and technologies, as well as the complex indicator E-SMART-score, reveals the general and specific problems, as well as the competitive advantages of the rural areas included in the analysis. E-SMART model can be used as a reliable tool to increase the administrative capacity of municipalities when making strategic decisions for the development of the region.

Viticulture in Jumilla (Spain). Contributions to sustainable territorial development

El desarrollo sostenible es un concepto que aparece por primera vez con la publicación del Informe Brundtland (Comisión Mundial sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo, 1987), que alertaba de las consecuencias medioambientales negativas del desarrollo económico y la globalización y trataba de buscar posibles soluciones a los problemas derivados de la industrialización y el crecimiento de la población sobre el paisaje y el territorio. La viticultura supone una práctica agrícola respetuosa con el medioambiente y, concretamente, en el estudio de caso que nos ocupa, cuyo tema es la denominación de origen de Jumilla, ha sido uno de los principales motores económicos de este territorio. La viticultura supone importantes oportunidades para el desarrollo económico y social, consolida puestos de trabajo y respeta el equilibrio medioambiental. A través de la metodología ofrecida por análisis de debilidades, amenazas, fortalezas y oportunidades (DAFO) y la explotación de datos estadísticos ofrecidos por organismos oficiales, se observa la creciente importancia de cultivos de temporada que están sustituyendo a las plantaciones de viñedo y otros cultivos tradicionales, ya que ofrecen mayor rentabilidad, aunque producen efectos medioambientales negativos por el uso de pesticidas, así como un consumo de agua que pone en peligro la capacidad de recarga de los acuíferos. Es necesario incrementar el cultivo de la vid y promover nuevas actividades relacionadas con el enoturismo que puedan ayudar a la competitividad del cultivo a través de una rentabilidad competitiva que ayudará a fijar población y salvaguardar el valor de la tierra, sus paisajes y un patrimonio ambiental heredado desde hace casi dos milenios.