Experienced Well-Being in the Rural Areas of the Srem Region (Serbia): Perceptions of the Local Community

Abstract

The sustainability of rural settlements in Serbia has become the main focus of strategic rural development planning. Although it is still difficult to measure the quality of life of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, preliminary results show that it is necessary to go beyond the GDP as the only or one of its most important indicators. A multidimensional approach and analysis at the local level is necessary for more comprehensive insight into quality of life in order to avoid erroneous or simplified conclusions. Striving to provide more detailed insight into the attitudes and needs of the local population, this research uses a qualitative approach. Subjective measures of how people feel and function in everyday life can predict future reactions, many of which are in the domain of the interests of local public services. The aim of the research is to apply measurement indicators through six dimensions of well-being in order to determine to what extent the inhabitants of rural communities are satisfied with some indicators and how they assess their own well-being. The research results illustrate the importance of understanding the needs of the local population and the perception of overall life experience in monitoring balanced rural development. The research can be adapted and applied to any rural community. Thus, only by developing a participatory approach can one strive for community-based rural development.

Quality of Life as a Limiting Factor in the Development of the Region along the Great Bačka Canal (Serbia)

“…The study was based on a survey questionnaire previously used in the area of Srem, one of the three regional wholes in Vojvodina [93]. For this questionnaire, it was confirmed that the "statements have a relatively high internal consistency" [93] (p. 10).…”

“…A more complex and all-encompassing view of quality of life requires a multi-dimensional approach, which decreases the possibility for error. That was why well-being in this paper was analyzed through specially selected indicators and the course of six dimensions (place of residence, educational opportunities, culture and sport, public services, healthcare, and economic opportunities), each of which was represented by a sequence of indicators [93].…”

“…In the second part of the questionnaire, which aimed to determine perceptions of the local community, indicators that reflected quality of life were studied. This part of the questionnaire was not standardized; instead, it was based on a questionnaire that was used to study the area of Srem in 2019 [93]. This was further modified by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) [94].…”

Perceived Destination Image Cohesion: A Comparison Study of Attractions on the Grand Canal, China

“…After all, it is the government's role to provide people with fair, immediate, and future access to resources and to achieve prosperity [10]. It is important to understand important factors in preserving the tradition of heritage during sustainable development [11]. This current study examines how to develop such synergy along the heritage attractions of China's Grand Canal.…”

Group Heterogeneity of Rural Households’ Satisfaction with Good Life from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization—A Case Study from Zhejiang Province of China

“…The life satisfaction of rural households is of major concern. In Ðerčan et al [19], based on the five dimensions of health, education, culture, sports, and community, the quality of life of local farmers was investigated. Li et al [20] used the ordered Probit model to examine the differences in life satisfaction of farmers and found that the life satisfaction of poor households was generally lower than that of middle and wealthy households.…”