Routledge Economic Development in Rural Areas: Functional and Multifunctional Approaches (The Dynamics of Economic Space)

Analysing the ongoing changes and dynamics in rural development from a functional perspective through a series of case studies from the global north and south, this volume deepens our understanding of the importance of new functional and multifunctional approaches in policy, practice and theory. In rural areas of industrialized societies, food production as a basis for growth and employment has been declining for many decades. In the Global South, on the other hand, food production is still often the most important factor for socio-economic development. However, rural areas both in the industrialized north and in the global south are facing new challenges which lead to significant changes and threats to their development. New forms of food production, but also new functional (e.g. housing or business parks) and often multifunctional approaches are being discussed and practiced yet it remains unclear the extent to which these result in better or more sustainable development of rural areas. Review ’Rural areas across the world are changing rapidly. To make sense of these changes, we need new and innovative ways of thinking. This book makes a great contribution to these important problems. As editors, Peter Dannenberg and Elmar Kulke have brought together a good range of contributors to address a wide variety of case studies. It should be read by researchers across the spectrum of rural studies.’ Bill Pritchard, University of Sydney, Australia ’The empirically rich case studies across the continents in Economic Development in Rural Areas refresh our views of the variegated content of rural as a site for development and show new and intriguing directions in market-making initiatives.' Richard Le Heron, University of Auckland, New Zealand ’This book is an excellent contribution to the existing literature regarding transformations of rural societies and economic spaces. The fascinating collection of case studies from the Global North and South is highly recommended for researchers as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.’ Christine Tamásy, University of Vechta, Germany About the Author Dr Peter Dannenberg is Professor for Anthropogeography at the Department of Geography, University of Cologne, Germany. Dr Elmar Kulke is Professor for Economic Geography at the Department of Geography at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.