Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5673/sip.53.2.3
Croatian Village at the Beginning of the 21st Century - Case Study of the Municipality of Gornja Rijeka
Sanja Klempić Bogadi
orcid.org/0000-0003-4536-0627
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Sonja Podgorelec
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Monika Šabijan
Abstract
The paper presents a part of the results of the empirical research aimed at deepening scientific
knowledge about the quality of life in rural areas in Croatia on the example of the
municipality of Gornja Rijeka. Potential population migration, evaluation of environmental
advantages and disadvantages of living in the observed rural communities as well as the
infrastructural facilities of settlements, the subjective assessment of the experience of belonging
to a rural community, and proposed measures to improve the quality of life have been
analyzed. The research was conducted by using the questionnaire method during November
and December 2012 on a sample of 170 respondents aged 18 to 60, accounting for about 10
% of the total population of the municipality.
The municipality of Gornja Rijeka shares similarities with most rural areas in Croatia that are
characterized by economic underdevelopment and demographic regression. Depopulation
and ageing, as the dominant demographic processes, shape the small community marked by
a lower level of educational population structure which, along with almost no local initiative,
represent limiting factors for boosting economic activities.
Despite a number of limiting factors of life in this area, the respondents express a high degree
of satisfaction with life in rural areas, but they also note that some contents of social
and communal infrastructure need to be significantly improved. Although being aware of the
many advantages of living in rural areas, such as well-preserved nature, clean air, tranquility
and simplicity of life, and lower cost of living, economic reasons force them to think about
migration.
Keywords
village; municipality of Gornja Rijeka; rurality; migration; infrastructure; quality of life
Hrčak ID:
140969
URI
Publication date:
7.7.2015.
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