Tackling poverty and social isolation using a smart rural development initiative. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGuire, Ryan; Longo, Alberto; Sherry, Erin
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 89(2022)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Rural development poverty isolation transport modelling; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.11.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

ABSTARCT: A common policy challenge across many countries is how to accommodate an increasingly ageing and vulnerable rural population. Everyday challenges include proximity to services, transport, and fuel poverty. Policies aimed to tackle rural poverty have learned to look beyond agri-food productivity and that the 'top-down' approach must be met with local knowledge. We use random effects binary logit models to investigate how people's health and social isolation are affected by socio-economic characteristics, as well as by the different rural policies. Thus, this paper extends the evaluation of rural policies contributing to tackling rural poverty and social isolation by measuring the impact of a nationally funded rural development initiative. Our case study investigates the Maximizing Access in Rural Areas initiative (2012–2014), a 'smart' rural development programme within Northern Ireland that married local knowledge with government objectives to mitigate poverty and isolation. Results indicate that, although men's health deteriorated from 2012 to 2014, the MARA programme countered levels of deprivation. The most successful intervention was improving access to local services. However, this result is strongly dependent on a robust rural transport support network. Moreover, when considering rural poverty, health and isolation are two primary metrics, both dovetail to create what is truly rural poverty, and rural development is only effective when it tackles both. Highlights: Smart rural development approaches are proving effective – yet, poverty and isolation remain a problem in Northern Ireland. Men's health deteriorated from 2012 to 2014 in rural Northern Ireland. Participation in local community events may improve health and reduce isolation. Community Rural Transport Partnerships play a vital role in reducing isolation. Health and isolation both dovetail to create what is truly rural poverty.