Linear and structural changes in rural space – the positive and problematic aspects (case of Latvia)

Abstract

Rural areas as a space have many features in common: land as a significant resource for economic activity, forests as a natural kind of climate-friendly environment, a low population density, etc. At the same time, the natural resources of rural areas tend to be exploited in a different way, which is determined by the different activities of the population of a particular territorial unit about the exploitation of the natural resources. By employing cluster analysis, an analysis of 110 administrative-territorial units forming the space outside cities of national significance allowed identifying the geographical locations of the least economically developed territorial units and the most specific socio-economic characteristics of the units. Geographically, the territorial units were spread across all the planning regions in Latvia, while business and entrepreneurship there focused on the use of natural resources, i.e. agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The trend has been observed since 2009 and requires seeking innovative ideas for changing the situation, one of which could be the expansion of the e-environment and e-commerce in these areas as well as the establishment of a cooperation network for home producers.

Keywords

• rural space
• structural changes
• economic and social innovations
• collaboration
• digitalization