Research Reports
Rural Prospects and Planning Strategies on Rural Development (Year 1 of 3)
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AuthorSim, Jaehun
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Publication Date2017.12.30
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Original
Background & Purpose of Research
In recent years, values of rural ares have been differently recognized among citizens and new lifestyles have vitalized rural areas in contrast with the past. Also, it is expected that a variety of socio-economic trends will influence rural futures. However, discussions on rural futures have not been sufficient to derive long-term strategies on rural areas, therefore it is needed to predict images of rural futures and draw policy implications from detailed and tailored future studies on rural areas.
This three-year research project is designed to explore future issues and scenarios of rural areas in order to draw rural development strategies. In the first year study, the main research purposes are identifying issues highly relevant to rural futures and deducing directions of rural planning strategies to achieve desirable images of rural futures.
Methodology
Statistical data has been analyzed in order to grasp trends of rural areas and national territory. Literature reviews and the mass media keyword analysis have been conducted to sort national future issues.
The national future issues relevant to rural areas are identified through the first delphi survey, and the second delphi survey derives the specialized rural future issues by analyzing influence of the issues on rural areas from the perspectives of living places, working places, resting places and community places. Then, the public opinion survey is conducted to draw desirable images of rural futures.
Main Results and Implications
It is identified that twelve national future issues are highly relevant to rural areas: ‘low birth rate and aging society’, ‘climate change and natural disaster’, ‘low growth and growth strategy’, ‘food security’, ‘4th industrial revolution’, ‘life insecurity of future generation’, ‘food safety’, ‘lifestyle stressing quality of life’, ‘threats to biodiversity’, inequality’, ‘multi-culture spread’ and ‘energy and resource shortage’.
It is certain that a variety of problems and phenomena are expected to be caused by the issues, and these problems and phenomena are considered as the specialized rural future issues. The issues differently influence rural areas depending on their spatial characteristics.
In addition, the desirable images of rural futures are drawn through the public opinion survey, and directions of rural development strategies are presented. ‘Convenient country life space for rural residents’, ‘working places for the youth’, ‘resting place for the public’ and ‘rural society led by local community’ are set as the desirable images.
‘Shrinking-Smart’ strategy is stressed to strengthen functions of rural centers and recycle idle properties in rural areas. Job opportunities can be created through rural tourism, renewable energy production and the high-tech industry for the youth. Agricultural heritages, rural cultures and natural landscapes have to be preserved to maintain recreational functions of rural areas. Special programs that aim to improve values of rural areas have to be implemented and specific landscape plans for rural areas should be established. Local communities have to be developed based on their social needs and interests. Superficial communities formed based on spatial units cannot lead their rural society anymore. Also, policy instruments that strengthen rural local communities’ capacity need to be implemented systematically.
Researchers: Sim Jaehun, Song Miryung, Sohn Hakgi, Seo Hongseok, Lee Junghae, Seo Hyeongjoo
Research period: 2017. 1. ~ 2017. 12.
E-mail address: jhsim@krei.re.kr
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