Urban and Rural Development
The transition of urban and rural areas in response to global challenges and local concerns for quality of life is critical for the development of a sustainable society. Climate change, globalisation and economic restructuring, the migration of people across national frontiers, and the emergence of new social movements are some of the global changes which have far reaching direct and indirect consequences at the local level. These challenges have to be handled at all geographical levels considering the local, regional, national and global contexts of the entire ecosystem. A holistic approach is needed to deal with the complex and cross-cutting issues in their actual context. Different and sometimes contradicting aspects of sustainability have to be integrated at local and regional levels involving different sectors and actors. The rapid changes in society require new approaches to the planning and management of urban and rural areas in order to secure public participation which is a key issue in sustainable development.
Most Swedish inhabitants live in three growing metropolitan regions while large parts of the rest of the country have a declining and ageing population. As this process continues, the challenges to sustainable development are increasing both in urban and rural areas. Urban and rural areas are increasingly interrelated, which requires new and broader perspectives in order to meet new problems and demands. New conceptions of urban areas, e g the urban fringe, rural areas with urban lifestyles or urban agriculture, create new prospects.
Urban areas are the main centres for economic growth and socio-cultural interaction.
The urban metabolism in terms of consumption of water and food, and production of waste, pollution, noise etc are leaving environmental and socioeconomic footprints far beyond the urban areas eventually adding up and returning as global threats. The problems largely originate in urban areas, and this is where they must be managed. The urban concentration of people and economic resources offer opportunities for structural changes including implementation of socio-technical innovations and changes in lifestyles. Changes in transport and infrastructure systems and thus the mobility pattern of citizens is one example.
The rural arena caters for several basic conditions of human life. Besides being an environment for the rural population, the countryside provides a complementary space for urban populations offering opportunities for recreation and tourism, nature protection and industrial production and infrastructure. Industries such as agriculture, livestock production, forestry, fisheries and reindeer husbandry are still important and consume considerable parts of the rural arena. In some cases, as for example tourism, these activities co-exist although not always without conflict; meanwhile in other areas conflicts are apparent. New solutions are needed in order to handle this complex set of problems.
Housing, service, work and leisure are basic qualities of life. An attractive environment is safe and healthy. It is built on the local cultural heritage, but is yet dynamic as it is influenced by the experiences of various groups of citizens. Renewal and regeneration - upgrading of deprived neighbourhoods, renewal of transport systems, under-ground utilisation, regeneration of brownfields rather than building on virgin land - are continuous processes and opportunities to change the urban and rural structure in a more sustainable direction.
The research funded by Formas shall provide new and sustainable approaches and solutions to spatial, social, cultural and economic development planning and management, governance, democracy and citizen’s participation in order to develop a viable built-up environment in urban and rural areas.
Formas' Research Strategy 2009-2012
