Integrated Development of Rural Areas to Increase Their Competitiveness Compared to Urban Areas

Abstract

Urbanization process in the Republic of Lithuania has formed a strong visual, cultural and economic gap between rural and urban areas. The city is identified with the manifold social progress and vitality, while rural areas are pushed into non-progressive public areas and unimportant position. Lithuanian villages face major social and cultural changes and economic difficulties, which result in increasing migration of people to cities and foreign countries. Moreover, significant decline in the young population could be observed in small towns. Therefore, it is necessary to change the attitude of the rural population and to improve the management patterns of public institutions, to revive and to ensure sustainable development of the rural territory. Everyone could self-realize only in a safe and comfortable environment. The right environment in which persons feel safe and are able to realize their potential in activities, can be created by spatial planning. This research paper analyses statistical and geographical information about Klaipėda suburban areas. Intensity of new residential blocks’ formation and their real needs are also discussed in the paper. Conclusions are drawn concerning the need to change the approach to the formation of new settlements in the area by taking into account the needs of inhabitants, i.e. use of "bottom-up" management approach.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.69.3.6662