Evaluating rural viability and well-being: Evidence from marginal areas in Tuscany. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casini, Leonardo; Boncinelli, Fabio; Gerini, Francesca; Romano, Caterina; Scozzafava, Gabriele; Contini, Caterina
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 82(2021)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Capabilities -- Sen's theory -- Structural equation modelling -- Rural development; I31 -- C30 -- P36; 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.2021.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: Promoting the viability of rural areas is a major objective of the European development and agricultural policies. One of the key aspects for the success of these policies is represented by the possibility to monitor the quality of life in all of its dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. The implementation of tools capable of pointing out the principal criticalities of human satisfaction is complex whether we are referring to the very definition of the concept of well-being or to the operative aspects in evaluating its components. We propose an approach to evaluate community well-being in which the fundamental components are defined referencing Sen's Theory of Capabilities and measured via questionnaires whose purpose is to subjectively evaluate each component on the level of territory of residence. This methodology has been applied to the case of rural areas in Tuscany (Italy). The results show that the main determinants of well-being are the individual perceptions concerning economic condition, security, environmental quality, and educational opportunities. Highlights: The well-being of rural people is crucial to achieve sustainable development. Our approach to evaluate community well-being in rural areas is based on Sen's theory. Subjective evaluations of collectivity satisfaction are measured via questionnaire. Economic condition and security are the main determinants of community well-being. Environmental quality and educational opportunities play an important role as well.