Contested Ruralities: Housing in the Irish Countryside

End of project reportThe purpose of the study is to examine housing in the Irish countryside. Housing in the countryside has become an increasingly contested issue in Ireland due to processes of rural change. The realm of debate is around issues such as who has the right to live in the countryside and how traditional settlement patterns can be sustained into the future. The debate, which has many contributors from politics, media and interest groups, has suffered from a lack of large-scale empirical research. The release of a combination of data from the 2002 Census of Population (house type with type sewerage facility used) has allowed this research to establish the spatial extent of single rural dwellings, the most contested and least known about element of living in the Irish countryside. Using this data in conjunction with the study of local level housing processes, a greater understanding of rural housing in Ireland has been established

The countryside in urbanized Flanders: towards a flexible definition for a dynamic policy

The countryside, the rural area, the open space, … many definitions are used for rural Flanders. Everyone makes its own interpretation of the countryside, considering it as a place for living, working or recreating. The countryside is more than just a geographical area: it is an aggregate of physical, social, economic and cultural functions, strongly interrelated with each other. According to international and European definitions of rural areas there would be almost no rural area in Flanders. These international definitions are all developed to be used for analysis and policy within their specific context. They are not really applicable to Flanders because of the historical specificity of its spatial structure. Flanders is characterized by a giant urbanization pressure on its countryside while internationally rural depopulation is a point of interest. To date, for every single rural policy initiative – like the implementation of the European Rural Development Policy – Flanders used a specifically adapted definition, based on existing data or previously made delineations. To overcome this oversupply of definitions and delineations, the Flemish government funded a research project to obtain a clear and flexible definition of the Flemish countryside and a dynamic method to support Flemish rural policy aims. First, an analysis of the currently used definitions of the countryside in Flanders was made. It is clear that, depending on the perspective or the policy context, another definition of the countryside comes into view. The comparative study showed that, according to the used criteria, the area percentage of Flanders that is rural, varies between 9 and 93 per cent. Second, dynamic sets of criteria were developed, facilitating a flexible definition of the countryside, according to the policy aims concerned. This research part was focused on 6 policy themes, like ‘construction, maintenance and management of local (transport) infrastructures’ and ‘provision of (minimum) services (education, culture, health care, …)’. For each theme a dynamic set of criteria or indicators was constructed. These indicators make it possible to show where a policy theme manifests itself and/or where policy interventions are possible or needed. In this way every set of criteria makes up a new definition of rural Flanders. This method is dynamic; new data or insights can easily be incorporated and new criteria sets can be developed if other policy aims come into view. The developed method can contribute to a more region-oriented and theme-specific rural policy and funding mechanism

Increasing societal discomfort about a dominant restrictive planning discourse on open space in Flanders/Belgium

The specific spatial context in the densely urbanised northern part of Belgium, Flanders, offers a sort of laboratory conditions to study, design and plan fragments of open space in an urbanising context. A chronological analysis of documents in three periods relevant to Flemish spatial planning policy allows to conclude that one single planning discourse has reigned spatial planning in Flanders already since the design of the first zoning plans 45 years ago. This planning discourse considers city and countryside as two separate and separated entities. Today however, the validity of this dominant discourse is increasingly under pressure. An obvious societal need appears to be growing to turn around the perception of a possible contradiction between city and countryside. In a densely urbanised spatial context, alternative planning discourses should be based on the idea of open spaces that offer complementary services within a partnership between city and countryside

Changes in hedgerows in Britain between 1984 and 1990

1. This report summarises the results of work on changes in hedgerows which was commissioned by the Directorate of Rural Affairs, DOE, as part of the analysis of data collected during 'Countryside Survey 1990'. 2. The primary purpose of the report is to present data on change, and to provide descriptions of the methods used to obtain them. Discussion of results, and especially their relevance to countryside policy matters, is minimal although a short comment section is included to cover research and methodological aspects

SUSTAINABLE COUNTRYSIDE AND COMPETITIVENESS

Sustainability, which is a way of thinking, life, production and consumption, covers all dimensions of human existence, its relation to natural resources, the economy and society. Sustainability can be the solution, beside research and development processes, to global problems like globalising economy and market competition, global warming, poverty and famine. United Nations’ actions from Rio to Johannesburg and EU decisions seem to underpin this. Well intentioned efforts up to the present have been made on global level with few results. Therefore it is necessary to implement sustainability on regional and local sub-regional, company level. Sustainability is getting into the centre of expectations and actions. It is very likely that only regions and subregions recognising the importance of sustainability in time, will be successful and competitive as a result of this advantage. Settlements neglecting sustainability will not be able to keep their inhabitants, the countryside around them will not be able to produce enough products meeting food safety standards, and will exhaust its natural resources fairly quickly. The competitiveness of a region is largely determined by the state and development pattern of its rural areas and settlements. Therefore research has been focused on sustainable countryside and its important elements, sustainable (liveable) settlements. During our investigations we implemented a new indicator and index number set that reflects all dimensions of sustainability, the present situation, and supports the bottom up decision making process of local governments and NGOs in order to promote development. These investigations highlighted the facts that potential competitiveness of a region can only be based on sustainable settlements, subregions and it is essential to eliminate deficiencies that restrain present and future development. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX A fenntarthatóság, amely szemlélet-, gondolkodás-, élet-, termelési-, valamint fogyasztási mód felöleli az emberi létezés valamennyi dimenzióját, a természeti erÅ‘forrásokhoz való viszonyát, a gazdaságot és a társadalmat. A globális kihívá-sok leküzdésében – mint például a globalizálódó gazdaság és piaci verseny, a globális felmelegedés, a szegénység és éhezés leküzdése –, a kutatási – innovációs folyamatok mellett a fenntarthatóság jelentheti a megoldást. Ezt megerÅ‘sítik az ENSZ világrendezvényei Riótól – Johannesburgig, valamint az EU határozatai. Az eddigi jó szándékú próbálkozások globális szinten mozogtak, vajmi kevés eredménnyel. Ezért szükséges a fenntarthatóság regionális és lokális – kistérségi, települési, vállalkozási – szintjein kezdeményezni a megoldást. A fenntarthatóság egyre inkább az elvárások és cselekvések középpontjába kerül, várható, hogy csak azok a régiók, kistérségek, helyi szintek lehetnek eredményesek, versenyké-pesek melyek idÅ‘ben felismerték a fenntarthatóság érvényesítésének szükséges-ségét, s ezzel helyzeti elÅ‘nyre tesznek szert. Ugyanis a fenntarthatóságot mellÅ‘zÅ‘ települések nem tudják megtartani lakosaikat, s a vidék nem képes megfelelÅ‘ minÅ‘ségű, az élelmiszerbiztonsági igényeknek megfelelÅ‘ termékeket kibocsátani, s nem hosszabb távon felélik természeti erÅ‘forrásaikat. A régiók versenyesélyét sokban meghatározzák a régión belüli vidéki térségek és települések helyzete, s fejlÅ‘dése. Ezért a kutatások a fenntartható vidék és ennek lényegi elemére a fenntartható, vagyis élhetÅ‘ településre irányultak. A vizsgálatok erre a célra egy újszerű indikátor és mutatószámrendszert alkalmaztak, amely tükrözte a fenn-tarthatóság dimenzióit, az adott helyzetet, s megalapozzák az alulról építkezÅ‘ te-lepülési és civil szervezeti önkormányzatok a fejlesztés lehetÅ‘ségeit. A vizsgálatok hangsúlyozzák, hogy a fenntartható településekre-kistérségekre épülhet a régió versenyesélye, s mindebben különösen fontos szerepe van a jelent és jövÅ‘t korlá-tozó „hiányok†felszámolásának.Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Public Economics, sustainability on regional level, settlements, investigations - fenntarthatóság regionális szintje, települések, beruházások,

The role of consumer in saving the cultural landscape in the countryside

The purpose of the study is to observe and to evaluate participation in the land use process and the potential of civil activity in influencing the impacts of planning in the cultural landscape in the countryside

City versus Countryside: Environmental Equity in Context

This Article takes an approach to the problem of environmental equity that is different from the remedies advocated by the leaders of the environmental equity movement. The plea that the benefits of environmental protection be extended to all groups in society is, of course, a legitimate one, but the movement is too narrowly focused and its aims are too modest. I dissent from the two central premises held by environmental equity advocates. First, the movement assumes that judicially recognized and enforced rights will lead to improved public health. Second, the movement asserts that disadvantaged communities should adopt a “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) strategy. In contrast, I argue that the current focus of the environmental equity movement, important as it is, is too narrow because the legal strategy of the civil rights movement is largely inapplicable to environmental issues. Environmental protection is not a rights-based movement. Thus, the judiciary’s role in promoting environmental quality is limited compared to its role in promoting racial justice through the recognition and enforcement of constitutionally-based civil rights. In addition, I argue that the NIMBY strategy is equally shortsighted. Environmental equity takes current environmental protection strategies as a given at a time when the science and ethics of environmental protection are undergoing a profound re-evaluation

DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION MODEL (CBR) FOR DISABLED PEOPLE OF TECTONIC EARTHQUAKE VICTIM IN SUB-PROVINCE OF BANTUL AND SLEMAN

This Research has general purpose, which is to apply Community Based Rehabilitation for Disabled People of Tectonic Earthquake Victim for self-supporting life in rural. Specific purposes wishing to be achieved are (1) obtain rehabilitation model for disabled people, (2) form CBR team along with guidance package of CBR execution to empower the disabled people. The approach of research is by using Research and Development. First year, research is done to get need assesment of disabled people and also survey of countryside potency for model test-drive. Second year draft of model development of guidance package of RBM program is compiled. Research Subject cover disabled people of earthquake victim residing in Countryside of Sendangtirto, Berbah, Sleman and Countryside of Srihardono, Pundong, Bantul. Research data collected through observation, interview, documentation, appraisal rural participatory. Data analysis is done with descriptive technique qualitative. Result of research show (1) Having been obtained country¬side potency basic data in the region of research which is related to disabled people of earthquake victim, namely available covering of Human Resourches Development as CBR model developer, education service, health service, economic activities centre of citizen, home industry and company, (2) Having been obtained basic data of disabled people prevalensi number which need to get rehabilitation service, model test-drived countryside, namely 79 physical disabled people in countryside of Sendangtirto and 77 physical disabled people in countryside of Srihardono, (3) Having been formed team executor of CBR in countryside of Sendangtirto and Srihardono, each countryside is under the coordination of Kesra with 20 people of facilitators for each countryside, so that there are 40 people of facilitators which at the same time will become disabled people rehabilitation tutor, (4) Having been given training / tutorial about CBR to 40 people of facilitators at two countryside, (5) Having been earned to be blazed the way of fund income efforts to support program of RBM activity, that is fee managed by PKK, donator, and aid of NGO, (6) Occurrence of caring of the society to the importance of giving rehabilitation service for disabled people of earthquake victim after the clarifi¬ca¬tion about program of CBR in the form of meeting and workshop. Keyword: disabled people, Community Based Rehabilitation FIP, 2008 (PEND. LUAR BIASA