In rural areas some changes are occuring
(and being announced) which affect some
of the basic natural, physical and social
characteristics of the rural environment. In
the future these changes will increase. Thus
their existence poses a whole lot of
questions and dilemmas connected to the
future development of rural areas.
First, we think it is high time we accepted
the fact that the rural environment is a
specific segment of the entire environment,
the entire economy and society, and its
development is a constitutive part of our
overall development. As a neglected part of
the economy and society, the village
develops spontaneously, as far as its
possibilities allow and under a strong
influence of the urban system of values.
This kind of development is full of dangers
that threaten to devalue many authentic
(specific—autochthonous) and permanent
values of that environment. Must we,
accepting the development cliche of
industial countries, repeat all their
difficulties and crises (social, spatial
ecological), or could we learn from their
experience and give meaning to another
(new) way of spatial, economic and social
development.
If we are not satisfied with merely the role
of spectator and chronicler of changes and
their consequences, but would like to take
an active part in creating a new future for
the rural environment and the village, then
we should continuously keep abreast of
and research changes (and announcements
of changes) that are taking place there. On
the basis of insight thus gathered, we
should also think about formulating a
strategy of rural development (a certain
kind of codex of behaviour) that would, as
a generally—accepted document, point to
problems, present its views on the further
development of the rural environment and
propose activities and measures that
would channel development in the desired
direction. We consider that the rural
environment, with its values and role in
our overall development, merits this kind
of attention
