Envisioning sustainable rural development

A narrative on accessibility and infrastructure from a Swedish region

Bibliographic Data

ID12088974
AuthorsChristine Grosse (0000-0003-4869-5094, Åbo Akademi University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume109
Pages103319-103319
Publication date2024-06-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Rural Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0743-0167 • E-ISSN: 1873-1392
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jrurstud.2024.103319
OpenAlexW4399766303
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited31

Infrastructure developments depend on decision makers' perceptions of the particular policy issue and a preferred future state. The complex relationship between accessibility and rural development and the long periods from problem recognition to transport infrastructure realisations bring further uncertainty into regional planning. Therefore, government and public administration tend to rely on narratives to explain the policy issue and to transfer their perspectives into the policy process. However, oversimplified narratives unduly limit the understanding of the problem and so the choice of solutions. This paper aims therefore to contribute to an understanding of the recognition of accessibility and transport infrastructure as a policy problem for sustainable regional development in rural areas. It investigates the narrative that emerges from local officials' perceptions about a future society, reasons for sustainable growth and the collaboration at the local and regional levels in central Sweden. The analysis details the four key perspectives of the narrative: local people, work and leisure, an urban neighbourhood and public transport services. The findings stress the narrative's lack of oversight and inclusion that accounts for societies' heterogeneity. In particular, the analysis expounds a remarkable faceless story that conveys a prevalent lack of understanding of stakeholder needs and the role of critical infrastructure for societal development in rural areas. • Recognising local conditions and future states is pivotal for governing development. • The narrative tells a remarkable faceless story of societal development in rural areas. • Industrialisation, the influx of people and public transport are considered critical. • Critical infrastructure that provides essentials of societal existence is neglected. • The narrative indicates a low level of visionary capacity at the local level

Art · Business · Economic geography · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental planning · Geography · Narrative · Political science · Regional science · Sustainable development · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Rural development and sustainability · Urban Transport and Accessibility