Prerequisite:

Second-cycle Bologna degree in the relevant track or a university (level VII) degree

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Basic concepts of rural/urban divisions, the rural-urban continuum
• Modern processes of social, economic, and spatial transformation of the countryside and its functions
• Exogenous and endogenous concepts of rural development
• Rural systems
• Land use as an indicator of rural processes
• Rural supply and services
• Natural and cultural heritage development potential for sustainable rural development
• Public and common good in a cultural landscape

Readings:

• Urbanc, M. 2002: Kulturne pokrajine v Sloveniji. Geografija Slovenije 5. Ljubljana.
• Potočnik Slavič, I. 2010: Endogeni razvojni potenciali slovenskega podeželja. GeograFF 7. Ljubljana.
• Petek, F. 2005: Spremembe rabe tal v slovenskem alpskem svetu. Geografija Slovenije 11. Založba ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana.
• Gabrovec, M., Kladnik, D. 1997: Nekaj novih vidikov rabe tal v Sloveniji. Geografski zbornik 37. Ljubljana, str. 7‒64.
• Logar, E.2019: Primerjalna analiza učinkov druženja in sodelovanja v prostovoljnih gasilskih društvih na primerih podeželskih skupnosti z Gorenjske in Sauerlanda. Geografski vestnik 91-2.
• selection of current articles in the subject’s field.

Objectives and competences:

The aim of this course is to present the process of rural transformation, the functional and economic diversification of the countryside, and the basic concepts of rural development. Special emphasis will be on understanding the changing relationship between urban and rural areas, promoting mutual connections in order to achieve greater cohesion, and preventing the outflow of human and social capital from rural areas. The altered demographic structure of the countryside will be presented in addition to new demands concerning the accessibility of services and supply. Students will familiarize themselves in detail with the characteristics of the rural cultural landscape, the processes that have transformed it, and the public and common good in it. In addition, the basic premises of sustainable management of natural resources and cultural heritage in the countryside will be presented.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Familiarization with the basic processes of social, economic, and spatial transformation of the countryside
• Ability to identify the development potentials of rural areas
• Taking into account the economic, social, and spatial aspects of service and (basic) supply accessibility in rural areas, and seeking innovative options for their provision as part of regional planning
• Ability to harmonize protective and developmental measures in sustainable management of cultural landscapes

Assessment:

Exam (90 %), written paper (10 %).