Sociology and Space, No. 147-148, 2000.
Original scientific paper
Quality of Living in Village in Transition
Dušica Seferagić
Abstract
The paper is the final report on the topic “Quality of Living in Village in Transition”, the part
of the project Village in Transition: Developmental Possibilities of Rural Areas in the programme
of permanent research activity under the title Social Changes and Development of
Croatia (1996-2000).
In Approach, the author starts with critique of the concept of “quality of life” and the methods
for measuring it, in Croatian sociology last 20 years. Changing in a way her own approach,
she turns from individuals to communities, little groups on micro-territorial level
(local councils - villages, parishes, cities) and investigates their quality of living as well as
local self-government. She uses case study (community study) as a concept and as a method,
which suites better in qualitative research of little social entities.
In the paper the author analyses results of 4 case studies (Zagreb’s surrounding, Petrinja
domain, Koprivničko-križevačka county, Gorski kotar domain). What links all 4 territories,
even though very different, is the impact of global social context of living in these regions:
economic situation (especially in industry and agriculture where people most work), the
impact of huge, magistral infrastructural systems (important on State level) on local life, and
especially consequences of the war on return and renewal. Little entities react differently on
these negative impulses from outside, although they all have very week authority.
Further common characteristic is poor technical and social equipment, especially in rural and
remoted settlements, and particularly in those struck by the war. All local unities, without
exception, ask for return ofpower offormer local communities for present local councils.
Keywords
quality of living; local selfgovernment; case study; problems; needs; aspirations; local council - village; parish; city; county; State
Hrčak ID:
119982
URI
Publication date:
9.6.2000.
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