|
|
|
| The European Rural Development (ERD)
project was discontinued by the end of 2002 as an autonomous
research unit in the theme of "Population and Society". A
follow-up activity on Sustainable Rural Development is being
undertaken by Gerhard K. Heilig in "General Research".
|
|
Introduction: Rural areas
account for more than 80% of the territory of the European Union and
are home to some 25% of the population. While urban people
often believe rural areas would be just farms and forests, the
reality is quite different. Rural areas in Europe are characterized
by extremely diverse physical environments, a broad range of
economic activities, unique social networks and century-old cultural
traditions.
In rural areas we can find industrial production sites and high-tech
service centers, but also facilities for the energy and water supply
of cities. In some parts of Europe we have unspoiled natural
landscapes, in others monotonous cultivation areas, commercial
forests, and large recreation facilities, such as theme-parks or
ski-slopes. Many parts of rural Europe, however, are still dominated
by a patchwork of private farmland and forests, sprinkled with
villages and small towns in unique landscapes that are part of
Europe's cultural heritage. |
| Images of peaceful villages might
suggest that life in the European countryside is without serious
problems. But this is just a popular cliché. The globalization of
world trade, significant changes in consumer preferences, the
expected enlargement of the European Union, a new Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP), and a serious aging of the population,
have all massively affected the rural areas. Europe's countryside is
in a process of deep structural change that will most likely speed
up when the applicant countries from eastern Europe become fully
integrated in the Union. |
| This new research project will
analyze the underlying driving forces of current problems and
opportunities in the rural areas of Europe by applying a truly
multi-disciplinary conceptual framework. This should help to develop
new visions and scenarios of rural development in Europe. A major
objective of the project is to promote international cooperation
in rural development research through the establishment of a network
of research groups. We will also develop software tools and
databases that should assist political decision makers and planners.
Most of the results of our research will be available through the
Internet. We have the ambition to become the leading Web site for
Rural Development Research in Europe, by providing a highly
interactive, content-rich platform for the exchange of ideas, data,
and models on rural development. A detailed project description is
available here. |
| The ERD project was being led by
Gerhard K. Heilig. |
|
