Review article
https://doi.org/10.21861/HGG.2024.87.01.05
The Concept of Peripheral Areas in Rural Research: Review and evaluation with examples
Dino Pečaver
orcid.org/0009-0002-2812-3128
; Public Institution NATURA VIVA, Karlovac, Croatia
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* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of research on peripheral rural areas. Accordingly, the paper identifies numerous shortcomings, problems, and challenges in the way this term is used and what its use brings to spatial planning development of defined peripheral areas, of the cohesion policy for equalizing development within the European Union. When researching peripheries, we encounter the ambiguity and problematic nature of this term, therefore the aim of this paper is to clarify it and redefine the roles of pre-defined and unified development models for peripheral rural areas which are, by structure, not homogeneous but heterogeneous. Methodologically, various understandings and meanings of peripheral rural spaces are analyzed with the aim of synthesizing them into a developmental concept of peripheral rural space. The theoretical basis of the analysis consists of recent scientific reflections on the topic of rural periphery. The problem area is itself a heterogeneous category, so there is a need for in-depth analysis, including new applicable typologies, to encompass current processes in rural areas and adapt strategies, support, and policies to specific local development needs by harmonizing bottom-up and top-down approaches. The logical continuation of this paper are contemporary approaches to the research of peripheral rural areas and their implications for the development possibilities of such problem areas.
Keywords
research approaches; marginal areas; periphery; rural space
Hrčak ID:
333657
URI
Publication date:
14.7.2025.
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