Smart Villages and Rural Development

Abstract

The “smart village” concept is relatively new among EU decision- and policy it is a result of many-it is a result of many years of debate, economic and territorial inequalities, social exclusion, diversification of certain areas, gradual reduction of agricultural activities and the interaction of cohesion, regional, and common agricultural policy. The concept of smart villages implies saving villages and their inhabitants, protecting cultural heritage and using local potentials to meet modern challenges. In its initial stages, it requires activities of all stakeholders, from individuals living in the rural area in question to decision-makers participating in identifying the strengths, threats, opportunities, and weaknesses of a certain rural area. Apart from the theoretical definition of smart villages, this paper aims to analyse European regulations of smart villages, and to define the challenges and smart village traps in rural development and ways in which they can be prevented.

Factors in the development of smart villages regarding tourism in the Baltic states

“…The analysis provides some components of the concept of smart villages. These are: Smart society – a high level of public participation, use of ICT, increase in the level of education, creation of social innovations, reduction of poverty and social exclusion, as well as protection of rural traditions and culture; Smart economy – increase in the level of income in rural area, more and better jobs, the creation of new jobs outside agriculture, the use of new technologies friendly to the environment, the creation of innovations, a support for the circular economy; Smart environment – reduction of GHG emissions and pollution, protection of biodiversity, the environment, implementation of the principle of sustainable development and protection of rural landscapes; Smart governance – inclusion of various stakeholders in the decision-making process (public authority, social partners, economic partners, NGOs), creation of a long-term vision for developing rural areas based on endogenous factors; Smart agriculture – use of new technologies in agriculture, increase in the role of ICT in agricultural production and farm management, use of environmentally friendly technologies, reduction of pollution from agricultural production; Smart accessibility – building facilities for rural population (access to public services such as education, health care, access to ICT, high quality of public infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail), transport connections, access to culture (libraries, theatres, cinemas) (Panciszko, 2021; Jezic et al ., 2021). …”

“…Smart accessibility – building facilities for rural population (access to public services such as education, health care, access to ICT, high quality of public infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail), transport connections, access to culture (libraries, theatres, cinemas) (Panciszko, 2021; Jezic et al ., 2021).…”

Global envelope method – new trend in determining economic potential of rural areas

“…However, research of this type is mostly focused on the analysis of specific factors of rural areas. By their focus, they can be classified into several groups (Féret et al, 2020;Mantino, 2021;Górecka et al, 2022). The administrative approach (Borawska, 2017) was one of the first concepts focused on the regional administration with strictly demarcated regions, which means that the relationships between the rural and urban regions were not considered.…”

Agriculture as a Sector of Professional Activity of Rural Inhabitants in the Mazowieckie Region

“…The one which recently connected the interest of policymakers and scientists is smart villages, assuming traditional and new networks and services enhanced by instruments of digital, telecommunication technologies, innovations and the better use of knowledge for the benefit of inhabitants and businesses [EC 2017]. "Smart villages" are primarily focused on rural inhabitants taking the initiative to find practical solutions for local disadvantages, but also opportunities, including, for example, preventing the exodus of young people to urban because of better employment opportunities [Górecka et al 2021]. To counteract this tendency, it is necessary to create conditions for the development of enterprises, including providing jobs, which will be able to stop further migration [Satoła, Milewska 2022].…”