Quality of Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper summarises a study carried out as part of a master’s thesis that, among other things, tried to identify the reasons for the critical situation in rural areas in Slovenia as the consequence of indeterminate spatial planning, while recognising that too finely detailed measures, as laid down in spatial documents, restrict design creativity. Indeed, design creativity and spatial quality are interdependent and thus more general starting-points for the planning of structures are necessary, which can be appropriately interpreted in each individual development for each area separately. To avoid the misuse of legislation, an instrument for quality checking is required for determining the suitability of the proposed solutions. To this effect it is necessary to revise the applicable legislation related to spatial planning as well as other relevant legislations. Both the general public and the professional community should be made aware of the meaning of a well-designed space. The public awareness level regarding the meaning of high-quality space was checked using a survey undertaken in the study, which demonstrated the perception of the meaning of conventional and contemporary buildings, understanding of space and identification with it, the meaning of designing structures and their site selection and placement, and the meaning of design continuity of built-up areas.

Keywords

• quality of space
• spatial planning
• rural development
• identity
• continuity
• raising public awareness