Policy formation in rural development in the Netherlands
Date
1999
Authors
Editors
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Publisher
AESOP
Abstract
In this abstract I will give an impression of my PhD-research project on policy formation in rural development. The nature of rural development and rural policy making has changed considerably, not only in the Netherlands, but throughout Europe. Underlying are changing demands placed on rural areas by society. In the next section I will give an image of the specific features of the development process in rural areas in the Netherlands and the policy problems at stake. I will proceed with the objectives of my PhD-research. These are followed by my research design combined with some central theoretical notions guiding my research. Finally, I will address a couple of methodological issues concerning my research project.
Rural policy change in the Netherlands
In rural areas in the Netherlands an important process of change is taking place. Both practices and policy arrangements in rural development differ considerably from the previous model for agriculture and rural areas based on the notion of modernisation. Until recently, Dutch society's main interest regarding the rural was agriculture's contribution to food security and gross national product. Rural development became almost synonymous to agricultural development. Now additional and partly substituting demands are placed on rural areas and agriculture. Rural areas are supposed to provide peace and quietness to weary city people and should offer attractive living surroundings for rural dwellers. The declining number of farmers should not only produce food as efficiently as possible; they also have to meet severe environmental, animal welfare and food quality standards. Furthermore, infrastructure, house construction and nature demands put an increasing pressure on rural space.
Description
Book of abstracts : AESOP PhD workshop 1999, Finse, Depertment of Geography Univeristy of Bergen, Norway
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License
CC-BY