| Basic Assumptions |
| The new IIASA project on European Rural Development makes
three fundamental assumptions: |
 |
| 1. |
We assume
that a scientifically sound and politically relevant analysis
of rural development in Europe is only possible, if we take into
account several dimensions of rural life. Rural development is a multi-sector process, which not only
includes economic change, but also requires adaptation in human
behavior and social structure. Moreover, rural development can be
only sustainable, if it is adapted to the bio-physical conditions
and resources of the regions. We also have to take into
account the process of political participation, which must be part
of every rural development policy. Finally, we assume that rural
areas in Europe may change significantly due to technological
innovation, such as growing application of bio-technology or the
Internet. We have therefore decided to distinguish five dimensions of rural
development (see diagram): |
|
 |
Human
Dimension |
|
|
Economic
Dimension |
|
|
Environment &
Resources |
|
|
Political Dimension |
|
|
Science &
Technology |
|
These five
dimensions will be also reflected in the Europe-wide databases on
rural development that will be part of the ERD web site (see Database).
They will be also incorporated in the decision support system, which
we plan to develop (see Rural Development
Model). |
|
|
| 2. |
A second
principal assumption of the ERD project is that we must pay special
attention to the dynamics of development processes. Rural
(and urban) development is always a sequence of clearly identifiable
development phases, in which different players use different
resources under different conditions. For our analyses we will
distinguish four principal stages of rural development (see diagram): |
|
|
A
diagnostic (or explorative) phase |
|
|
A
phase of political negotiations (consensus building) |
|
|
The
modeling or planning phase |
|
|
The
phase of implementation |
|
|
| 3. |
The third principal assumption of the ERD project is that we believe in the necessity of a
Europe-wide
comparative analyses, not only at the level of national states, but
also at the level of (NUTS 3) regions. We also assume that global trends will have more
impact than in the past. |
|
