1. Introduction
Sustainability has become a key concept in rural development policy and practice. It is often used to refer to the ability of rural areas to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987). However, there is still a lack of clarity and consensus on what sustainability means in the context of rural development.
This article explores the different interpretations of sustainability among rural decision-makers in six European countries. Based on qualitative interviews with 54 decision-makers, the findings suggest that sustainability is understood in a variety of ways, including: (1) economic sustainability, (2) environmental sustainability, (3) social sustainability, (4) cultural sustainability, and (5) institutional sustainability.
The article concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for rural development policy and practice.
2. Sustainability and Rural Development
The concept of sustainability has its origins in the environmental movement of the 1970s. It was popularised by the Brundtland Commission's report Our Common Future (WCED, 1987), which defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
Since then, the concept of sustainability has been widely applied to different sectors and policy areas, including rural development. The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), for example, has increasingly incorporated sustainability objectives into its policies and programmes. The CAP's 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP) includes a specific focus on sustainability, with a number of measures aimed at promoting economic, environmental, and social sustainability in rural areas.
3. Research Methods
The research reported in this article is based on qualitative interviews with 54 rural decision-makers in six European countries: England, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain. The decision-makers were selected from a variety of sectors, including agriculture, forestry, tourism, and local government.
The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview schedule. The decision-makers were asked about their understanding of sustainability, the challenges to achieving sustainability in rural areas, and the policies and programmes that they believed would be most effective in promoting sustainability.
4. Findings
The findings of the research suggest that sustainability is understood in a variety of ways among rural decision-makers. The five most common interpretations of sustainability were:
* Economic sustainability: This refers to the ability of rural areas to generate and maintain a viable economy. This includes creating jobs, attracting investment, and supporting local businesses.
* Environmental sustainability: This refers to the ability of rural areas to protect and enhance their natural environment. This includes reducing pollution, conserving resources, and managing land and water in a sustainable way.
* Social sustainability: This refers to the ability of rural areas to provide a good quality of life for their residents. This includes access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, as well as opportunities for social and cultural participation.
* Cultural sustainability: This refers to the ability of rural areas to maintain their unique cultural heritage. This includes preserving traditional customs and practices, as well as protecting historic buildings and landscapes.
* Institutional sustainability: This refers to the ability of rural areas to develop and maintain effective institutions that can support sustainable development. This includes local governments, community organisations, and businesses.
5. Discussion
The findings of this research suggest that there is no single, universally accepted definition of sustainability among rural decision-makers. Rather, sustainability is understood in a variety of ways, depending on the particular context and perspective of the decision-maker.
This diversity of interpretations presents a challenge for rural development policy and practice. In order to be effective, rural development policies and programmes need to take account of the different ways in which sustainability is understood by decision-makers. They also need to be flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs and priorities of rural areas.
The research also suggests that there is a need for more dialogue and communication between rural decision-makers and other stakeholders, such as farmers, environmentalists, and local residents. This dialogue is essential for building a shared understanding of sustainability and for developing policies and programmes that can effectively promote sustainability in rural areas.
6. Conclusion
Sustainability is a complex
