<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Shopping centers in the Silesian Voivodeship have a significant impact on smaller settlement units located in outer areas of agglomerations. It consists mainly in changes related to social, economic, as well as functional and spatial spheres. Studies shows that shopping centers take over more and more functions of higher order (services, public culture, administration) and restrict the economic activity in rural areas outer areas of agglomerations. At the stage of the irrepressible process of suburbanisation of rural areas surrounding large urban agglomerations and structural changes in towns, it is difficult to conclusively assess the consequences of the operation of shopping centers in outer metropolitan areas. The impact of shopping centers on small towns and rural areas is a very dynamic process and requires systematic research.</abstract>

Prof. zw. dr hab. Krystian Heffner, Department of Spatial Economics, University of Economics in Katowice, ul. 1 maja 50, 40-287 Katowice, Poland

Dr. Małgorzata Twardzik, Department of Spatial Economics, University of Economics in Katowice, ul. 1 maja 50, 40-287 Katowice, Poland

The Impact Of Shopping Centers In Rural Areas And Small Towns In The Outer Metropolitan Zone (The Example Of The Silesian Voivodeship)

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Rural Europe and the world: Globalization and rural development (Editorial)</title></abstract>

Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales, SY23 3DB, United Kingdom

Department of Geography, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway

Rural Europe and the world: Globalization and rural development (Editorial)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article questions where and how rural tourism (with special focus on small scale village tourism) that is often focused on in rural development initiatives can contribute to rural development in the light of the OECD’s ‘new rural paradigm’. For this purpose theoretical findings from research about tourism and factors of success of rural development processes are combined and reflected against findings of empirical research conducted in five eastern German rural regions. It is shown that although tourism might, in the majority of rural regions, induce only small economic impacts - which indicate failure as a factor for regional development - it can cause important non-economic implications. Thus, even in regions not suitable for tourism, tourism can function as a vehicle for rural development. Thereby it is important to develop a suitable strategy and consider the specific regional situation and potentials of success.</abstract>

Rural Tourism As Promoter Of Rural Development – Prospects And Limitations: Case Study Findings From A Pilot Projectpromoting Village Tourism

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Rural areas and in particular mountain territories have been experiencing an increasing appreciation of natural and heritage resources and their use for recreational and leisure activities, boosting tourism development and generating renewed functions with economic and social impact. Inland waters are becoming increasingly important for leisure and tourism, with many activities associated and many users seeking for them. Fluvial beaches represent leisure facilities for rural communities, allowing people and visitors access to aquatic spaces for leisure, sport and entertainment, creating conditions for enjoying nature and water resources, particularly during the summer period. The supply of surface water resources – rivers, lakes and canals – in the territory of the Estrela Geopark in Portugal, represent a tourist potential for this mountain region. They qualify the offer and constitute recreational attractions appreciated by the community and tourists, generating social well-being and fostering new services. There is a growing demand for these spaces, allowing the upgrading of fluvial areas, generating new features and enhancing the image of the destination Serra da estrela. The greater part of this equipment is operated by public entities linked to local administration, thus benefiting from public investment and support. There is a strong perception of its importance in attracting tourists, in improving the quality of life of the local population and in the opportunity to expand trade and service activities. Also in the image of the community, and their self-esteem is perceived, the importance of river beaches and consequently the disclosure that they associate, in terms of environmental quality, heritage value, and space of tranquillity.</abstract>

Water Resources and Tourism Development in Estrela Geopark Territory: Meaning and Contributions of Fluvial Beaches to Valorise the Destination

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Based on evidence from nine countries (UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ireland), this special issue analyses the fabrics of farm tourism in Europe. It identifies two main development trends: on one hand, a small scale and dispersed activities, at the other hand a product in response to tourist market demand. A brief overview of existing farm tourism practices in the European rural areas indicated an interesting interface between the forms and dimension of farm tourism embeddedness in local environment and at the same time, the ways and range of internationalization of farm tourism business</abstract>

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 2, SI - 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Professor, Department of Geography, Laplec, Faculty of Sciences, University of Liege, Allee du 6 Aout, B - 4000 Liege, Belgium

Farm Tourism Across Europe

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Root causes of rural decline in economic well-being in Finland</title>This paper analyses how dependence on primary production, distance, climatic conditions and the intensity of land use bring about variations in economic well-being in rural areas. The conventional interpretation in Finland often concludes that economic well-being declines as dependence on primary production increases. The potential oversimplification implied by this statement was studied by testing the explanatory power of distance from the nearest large city, effective temperature sum and the proportion of fields in a comparative setting. The results revealed that economic well-being in rural Finland is best explained by the effective temperature sum, followed by distance, dependence on primary production and the proportion of fields. The only element of well-being which is determined chiefly by dependence on primary production is educational capital, causing a bottleneck preventing rural areas from becoming competitive and hence attractive to new knowledge-intensive industries. These results cast light on the spatial conditions under which the current economic evolution towards a service and knowledge society is taking place and on the spatial manifestations of remnant economic structures in disadvantageous locations.</abstract>

Olli Lehtonen, Finland Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, University of Eastern, P.O. Box 111 80101 Joensuu

Finland Department of Geographical and Historical Studies, Markku Tykkyläinen University of Eastern, P.O. Box 111 80101 Joensuu

Olli Voutilainen MTT Economic Research Agrifood Research Finland Helsinki

Root causes of rural decline in economic well-being in Finland

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Considering gastronomy as a source of expression of local culture, its use in tourism can contribute to enhancing and adding value to the destination, as well as encourage the pride of the local community, stimulating its production and consumption, and its dissemination outside the region. Bucho Raiano is a gastronomic product of identity and representativeness for the inland border region of Portugal (Riba Côa), for which its confraternity seeks the dissemination, the promotion of its consumption, and enhancement as a cultural resource. In this context, we seek to frame the Bucho Raiano gastronomic product, its identity, and the role of the confreres in its promotion and dissemination. Thus, this research aims to contextualize the Confraria do Bucho Raiano as a case study, evaluate the confreres’ perception of the confraternity’s mission, its strategies and contributions to the promotion and enhancement of this gastronomic product. The aim is to find out whether <italic>Bucho</italic> can be an important tourist product for this region and, consequently, strengthen the link between traditional local gastronomy and the tourist destination, according to the confreres’ perception.
</abstract>

Gastronomic Identity and the Role of the Confraternities in the Valorisation of Local Products. The Confraternity of <italic>Bucho Raiano</italic> in the Promotion of Culture and Inland Tourism

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This study explores officials’ perspectives on Swedish policies for rural digital transformation (RDT). Through the lens of Social Acceleration and systems thinking, employing Critical Systems Heuristics collecting empirical data, we explore how officials perceive that Swedish digitalisation policies impacts inclusive RDT. We investigate whether the possibility to implement Swedish digitalisation policies support or hinder inclusive RDT. Our results emphasize the importance of Social Acceleration based on the aspirations of rural residents, encompassing technical acceleration, social change, and the pace of life. The rapid societal acceleration driven by digitalisation impacts the implementation of digital services in rural areas. Policies do not address the needs of tailored digital services; officials strive to manage this through creative methods despite inherent challenges.
</abstract>

Bridging the Gap. Policies to Accelerate Social Change for an Inclusive Rural Digital Transformation in Sweden

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Rural communities have experienced significant changes in their social, economic and demographic structures, leading to an increased importance of volunteering. Such activities are related to traditional association structures, which seem to be declining in popularity. One of the current hopes for strengthening rural volunteering is digitalisation. This article examines the extent to which digitalisation has found its way into volunteering and how this is related to rural areas. It summarises the discourses on volunteering, rural areas and digitalisation and introduces a mixed-methods approach at the organisational level. Based on a nationwide survey and in-depth interviews with volunteers and experts, we present a digitalisation index to illustrate that digitalisation has found its way into rural volunteering, but not to the same extent everywhere. We suggest that the sparse use of distance-bridging digital tools is due to the structural peculiarities of rural voluntary organisations rather than stereotypical rural backwardness.
</abstract>

A Voluntary Divide? Exploring the Role of Digitalisation in German Rural Volunteering

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Based on data collected from managers of wine tourism businesses in rural areas in Portugal, this study highlights the equal potential of female leadership in wine tourism. Specifically, women’s profiles, management practices and leadership narratives were analyzed and contrasted with corresponding data reported by their male counterparts. Concerning personality traits, no statistical difference between men and women was identified, which was also the case for some management practices, with sustainability concerns being important for both male and female business managers. Differences were found in communication with markets, being dominated by online devices, particularly with social networks in the case of women. As for their leadership position, women further tend to prefer a shared management approach in opposition to a more individualist management style followed by men.
</abstract>

Female Leadership in Wine Tourism in Portugal

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The Mór Wine Region (MWR) is one of the smallest ones in Hungary. Its area decreased continuously to only 724 hectares till 2022. Nevertheless, a spatial concentration of farms can be observed, like it has happened in other wine-growing regions of Hungary. Our principal aim is to investigate the sale channels with special consideration of the personal, market and online forms in the light of sustainability. The pandemic time is over, the online sales are in vain, the personal relationship between the winemaker and the customer is currently enjoying a revival period. Within the framework of mixed methods approach, we surveyed 28 winegrowers and wineries to fill in our semi-structured questionnaires, as main method in this article. After evaluating the questionnaires, we can say that some young wineries, thanks to good marketing activities, are able to take advantage of modern community-based media and are able to reach semi-wealthy social groups that usually consume wine. Unfortunately, the majority of wineries are not able to do so. Furthermore, there is a lack of cooperation between suppliers that can initiate smaller wineries to process and store grapes, and at least appear on the domestic market.
</abstract>

Development of the Wine-Growing Enterprises in the Mór Wine Region, Hungary

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This article explores the intersection between Frank Gehry’s iconic Hotel Marqués de Riscal (MdR) and the Marques de Riscal winery, investigating their causal relationship with the surge in wine tourism. Using Google Trends data and empirical research, it establishes the influential role of the MdR Hotel in driving positive impacts on the winery and the local economy. Findings highlight: (1) the hotel’s symbolic signaling elevates the winery’s reputation globally, (2) repositioning efforts lead to increased economic returns and profitability, and (3) the transformational MdR Hotel attracts visitors, generating new economic activity and job opportunities in the Rioja region. Insights into the transformative effects of the iconic MdR Hotel on the winery and the local economy are provided.
</abstract>

Iconic Architecture as a Catalyst for Wine Tourism: A Case Study of Marques De Riscal

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> There has been a strong discourse in public policy aimed at transforming rural places from venues of primary production into truly diverse socioeconomic landscapes. Yet conceptualisations of the rural as envisioned in the policy and politics of the ‘new economy’ often prove to be elusive on the ground. However, post-productive activity in rural areas has become a major focus for rural studies scholars. This paper investigates the ideas of post-productivism in the existing literature, and argues for a holistic understanding of post-productivism as an idea and political ambition rather than an imperative and irreversible change of rural economic activity. The purpose of the study is to make clear the division between post-productivism and the related concepts of post-production and post-productive activities in order to better understand processes of rural change in relation to different geographical contexts. It is argued that post-productivism as a concept stands apart from de facto post-production and alternative concepts such as multifunctionality and should be regarded as part of broader regional development discourses. The paper outlines several important fields in which post-productivism is a necessary component for rural transformation and development. While it is not always easily captured in indicators or empirical studies in rural locations, postproductivism exists at the level of discourse and planning and thus has real effects on the ground. The paper concludes by offering suggestions on how to apply the concepts of post-productivism, post-production and multifunctionality in future studies.</abstract>

Department of Geography and Economic History, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden

School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Beyond Post-Productivism: From Rural Policy Discourse To Rural Diversity

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Europe witnessed massive migration away from rural areas throughout the 20th century. Spain was no exception to the rule, albeit with differences in timing and pace, and the population in Cantabria constitutes a paradigmatic case. Here, the rural exodus began early – before the mid-20th century – in some mountainous districts, but reached a peak in the 1960s and continued throughout the following decades. Since the 1990s, population levels in rural municipalities have fallen at a slower rate, while the population of the region as a whole has increased slightly. Disturbingly, the rural population has continued to decline in the early 21st century, in an overall context of almost zero population growth. The demographic trends analyzed here are not only different in time, but also in space. With the partial exception of regional capitals and their neighbouring communities, municipalities in mountain districts have witnessed such a substantial decline in their populations that they have experienced a genuine process of depopulation. This case does not explain the all-similar cases in rural Europe as a whole, but it can help in interpreting other comparable processes in different regions of southern Europe where depopulation reached its maximum in the second half of the 20th century and still continues today.</abstract>

Depopulation Processes in European Rural Areas: A Case Study of Cantabria (Spain)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>After the accession of the ten new member states to the EU in 2004 and the following membership of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, the (neo)endogenous development method LEADER has become pan-European. LEADER was implemented in all EU countries in the period 2007–2013, however, its application and potential to impact rural areas differed from country to country. Therefore, the aim of the article is to describe these differences on the basis of support outputs of LEADER under Axis 4 of the Rural Development Programs in 2007–2013. Respecting different path dependencies of the EU states, the article demonstrates the differences in the implementation of this method in two basic territorial units of the EU member states according to the length of the EU membership, as well as the length of experience in implementation of the LEADER method. The scope of LEADER implementation and the potential impact significantly differed between the old and new member states, and the internal heterogeneity of groups is also evident. On the one hand, lack of embeddedness of the method is manifested among the EU12 states (the need for dynamic growth of institutional capacity), on the other hand, socio-economic and political factors modify scope, potential impact and way of implementation of the method in individual countries.</abstract>

The Leader Approach Across The European Union: One Method of Rural Development, Many Forms of Implementation

Open Access License

Publication Ethics Statement