The purpose of this research is to establish an integrated model for rural development and to establish action plans based on case studies. Included are as follows: The first is to make an appropriate integrated model for rural development based on theoretical discussion about the concept of integrated rural development and empirical studies; the second is to establish action plans enabling to adopt for rural development; and the third is to provide the way of institutional supports for extending and settling down the integrated rural development model.
The study consists of five chapters. We try to operationally define the concept of an integrated rural development model and to establish the standpoint and analytical frame based on its concept in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, we investigated the situation and characteristics of rural areas focused on dwelling, economic, and social conditions using statistical data. Chapter 4 provides some major points gained from analyses of data of surveying public officials who work in rural areas. This survey was conducted for depicting rural development policy tasks and policy demands. We deal with planning, projects and budget, performance management, and implementation system in order to find out problems and solutions in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6, we recognized policy tasks needed for realizing the integrated rural development model through establishing action plans for Gimcheon-si, Yesan-gun, and Jangheung-gun, as examples.
We used various research methods such as literature reviews, statistical analyses, domestic and foreign case studies, survey, focus group interview, and workshops.
We, first of all, defined the concept of integrated rural development model as ‘the process organizing available resources for sustaining regional development, solving problems, and reforming environment by regional subjects’. Our research was conducted according to policy stages of PDCA(Plan - Do - Check - Action) in terms of regional management.
Secondly, rural areas are human beings' living spaces which have compound characteristics such as living place, working place, resting place, and community. However, there are differences in regional situations and traits among districts. A systematic rural development policy should be propelled for solving differences and strengthening national competitiveness.
Thirdly, local governments' public officials say that there are various problem in implementing regional development policies. There are a lot of plans for developing rural areas, but they do not have coercive devices. Also, rural development projects including budget are allocated to various implementing bodies. Other problems are the lack of ways measuring performances scientifically, the lack of policy bodies' capacities, and the absence of integrated policy body.
Fourthly, we provided reforming alternatives such as changing development plans to three stages(basic plan-action plan-project plan), data collection, partnership, budget allocation system, performance indices.
Lastly, we provided examples for the integrated rural development model via case studies.


Researchers: Mi-Ryung Song, Si-Hyun Park, Gyu-Cheon Lee, Kwang-Sun Kim, Jeong-Seop Kim and In-Hye Kwon
Research Period: 2010.6~2010.12
E-mail Address: mrsong@krei.re.kr