Tag: Regional Development

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN URBAN HERITAGE PROMOTION: RESIDENTS’, VISITORS’, AND STUDENTS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

Veronika JOUKES

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

veronika@utad.pt

Isabel COSTA

University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD), Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE)

isacosta@utad.pt

Francisco DINIZ

Centre for Transdisciplinary Development Studies (CETRAD)

fdiniz@utad.pt

Abstract

The present study is part of a broader research carried out in Chaves, a medium sized town on the border with Spain, in the interior north of Portugal, and it took place within the Monumental Chaves – Valuing and Promoting Cultural Values and Heritage Strategic Programme. This programme focussed on keeping and promoting the town’s monumental heritage (both architectural and archaeological) at the heart of the town’s historic centre, and aimed to make a positive difference on the development of the territory in which it is located. It included a set of studies on impact monitoring which ended up attaining goals that had not been foreseen in the initial programme, not only because these were purposely extended, but also because of the methodological approach that was chosen. Thus, this article presents the residents’, students’, and visitors’ perspectives on the subject of monumental heritage protection, conservation and enhancement. Results show that protection, conservation, and enhancement of cultural heritage still matters for the population segments whose opinions were taken into consideration, who acknowledge its value as a solid resource for the town’s and the region’s development. Cultural tourism as a personal strategy of informal self-learning also plays a specific role. Worth mentioning is the fact that young people have different and broader views on the future of both the heritage and of the town containing it. Results of the studies in question amply justify a promotion and development proposal that goes beyond the limits of the town’s historic centre and bestows on it a major role in terms of the town’s and the region’s development. The conclusions of the study are a contribution to increase public opinion monitoring and public participation in actions designed to enhance cultural heritage, more so in towns which have an historic centre.

Keywords: historic centre renewal, public participation, cultural tourism, youth, regional development

JEL classification: O18, P25, O21
read more

PATHOLOGY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT IN IRAN DURING THE PERIOD 2005 -2015

Kerāmatollāh ZIĀRIL

Department of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran
zayyari@ut.ac.ir

Alireza MOHAMMADI

Department of Geography, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran
a.mohammadi@uma.ac.ir

Abstract

In this paper, the management style for regional development in Iran was pathologized. 370 experts were questioned and in order to choose an appropriate style, 30 experts were interviewed through Delphi technique. Statistics methods such as X2 tests, Spearman correlation coefficient and multi criteria decision methods such as ANP and PROMETEE II were used to giving weight, analyzing, ranking and selecting the appropriate style of management. The research findings indicate that, the majority of experts believe that the management style for regional development in Iran has been completely inefficient during the period 2005-2015, and needs serious reforms. Based on data analyses and use of MCDM and findings, the appropriate management style was selected among various management styles. Finally, “the Network Governance” was proposed as a appropriate style and some recommendation was provided for implementation of this style to regional management in Iran.

Keywords: Pathology, regional development, appropriate management style, Iran, decision analysis

JEL classification:
read more

PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH IN THE CASE OF MODERNISATION OF AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN GREECE

Eleni PAPADOPOULOU

Assistant Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Engineering, Department of Spatial Planning and Development

Tel.: 0030 2310 991431

E-mail address: epapa@auth.gr

Christos PAPALEXIOU

PhD Candidate, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics

Tel.: 0030 6944778414

E-mail address: chpapale@agro.auth.gr

Nikolaos HASANAGAS

University Forest Administration, District Forester of Pertouli

Tel.: 00306977381637

E-mail address: n.hasanagas@gmail.com

Abstract

The assessment of Rural Development Policy results and impacts is a very difficult and complicated process owing to the compound and multisectoral nature of the countryside. It is assumed that the assessment of Rural Development Programme impacts, in the way it is applied nowadays, is not able to satisfy the need for a deep and useful evaluation. The outcomes of evaluation should be a major tool for policy design. The Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF), which was introduced by the EU for the evaluation of Rural Development Programmes is criticized as a very “economic indicator” oriented system. Many data are required for the calculation of CMEF indicators, which are not available in a lot of EU member states. This research aims to identify problems and shortcomings occurred during the phases of rural development policy design, implementation and evaluation, which influence the success of such policy programmes. Based on a previous research, where network analysis was applied, the researchers made an attempt to examine the problems with the use of in-depth interviews and focus group. Measure for the modernisation of agricultural holdings in Greece was used as a case study. Complexity in processes, bureaucracy, delays, lack of data at regional and national level, lack “evaluation culture” seem to be the most crucial factors of failure.

read more