Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis – Geographica,Vol. 42, No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
33
INTRODUCTION
Aims
Rural areas in the Czech Republic and conditions
of their development are significantly influenced
by the Common agricultural policy (CAP) of the
European Union (EU).
Attitudes to rural development are based on understanding
of the structure and mutual relationships
among participants in rural development and on the
premise that cooperation of all actors (from institutions
at national level to local people) who participate
in development is a prerequisite for improvement of
living conditions in rural areas. Furthermore, cooperation
can also help to make the most of regional
dispositions, potential and abilities of participants
and also of available sources (Binek et al. 2009:85).
The process of cooperation and of finding collective
solutions to local development challenges
is connected mainly with creation of spontaneous
political networks. In general, it is possible to argue
that the level to which political dialogue among
participants in regional development is formalised
influences the engagement of these actors in local
governance. On the one hand, there can be no
formal rules of cooperation established but local
people will be able to participate in creation and/
or realisation of meaningful strategies of development.
This bottom-up approach can thus accomplish
relatively a lot but it is always limited by the
lack of contacts with institutions at higher levels
of administration. On the other hand, the level of
formalisation1
of political dialogue can be high but
the cooperation will not be successful either due
to strictly top-down approach when institutions at
higher levels determine the strategies and only a few
1
Formalisation in this context means institutional cooperation
of regional participants in development which allows exchange
of developing concepts, generates new project ideas and enables
a region to achieve success in inter-regional competition (Ježek
2005:73).
Abstract
Microregional managers and mayors of municipalities are among the most important actors in rural development.
They can influence development of a particular region to a large extent due to their access to relevant
information and due to their close co-operation with other local participants in development. Furthermore,
they can objectively evaluate strategies and theories and their applicability for a region. The aim of the article
is to introduce perceptions of the region and visions of regional development that could be found among
microregional managers and mayors in South Moravia. Selection of people to be interviewed was influenced
by their function in the region, participation in networks and their impacts on local development. The text
describes the current state of the study area between the municipalities of Brno, Břeclav, and Znojmo, and
possible steps that may be taken in future.
Key words: South Moravia, rural development, opinion pool, actor, governance.
LEADERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
CASE STUDY OF SOUTH MORAVIA
Lukáš Nevěděl 1,2
, Hana Svobodová 1,3
, AntonínVěžník1
1
Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University,
Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, veznik@sci.muni.cz
2
63908@mail.muni.cz, 3
67632@mail.muni.cz
Leaders’ perceptions of rural development : case study of South Moravia34
AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
or none of the important local interest groups participate
in the process of their preparation or implementation
(Dočkal 2006:11).
The aim of this paper is thus to research and study
perceptions and visions of development among
rural elites i.e. microregional managers and mayors
of municipalities in the region between Brno,
Břeclav and Znojmo (see Figure 1).
Former research and wider context
Perceptions of rural areas have been researched by
important Czech scholars. It is possible to mention
e.g. the publication written by Kučera and Kuldová
(2006) who state that rural areas may be looked at
from different points of view which then influence
either external or internal development of these areas.
Among the different points of view are: the perception
of rural areas as of non-urban spaces which are,
nevertheless, functionally connected to their development
poles (i.e. towns; theories of centre-periphery);
the perception of rural areas as of countryside; the
perception of rural areas as of agricultural spaces; the
perception of rural areas as of a specific life-style;
and the perception of rural areas as of a space suitable
for relaxation and leisure time activities.
The process of regional development is characterised
in greater detail by various theories of regional
development. The aim of this article is thus to study
the perceptions of rural development in order to
assess the appropriateness of the theories of
regional development that are currently being used
and that are based mainly on institutional and neoliberal
economy (Blažek and Uhlíř 2002).
Current regional policy is, on the one hand, influenced
by theories such as the ones that focus on the
dichotomy of centre-periphery. In regional development
these theories argue that there are spatial
disparities, and they support such strategies which
ensure convergence of development among regions.
On the hand, there are also other views in current
regional policy that emphasise only certain strategic
fields of economy which should be supported by
means of external impulses, effective networking,
innovations created in the process of permanent
learning (internal impulses), internal efficiency and
internal development.
There are two publications which were very important
for the purpose of this text: Rural Geography
by Woods (2005) and Geography of Rural Change
by Ilbery (1998). The focus of these publications is
on spatial and social processes in their entirety with
a view (but not only) to rural regions.
The main area of interest of the theory of actors
is interaction (both relations and connections)
among important people. It argues that people are
able to influence an outlook of a particular area and
communities by debates, own intentions and their
promotion.
Networking is discussed e.g. by Murdoch (2000)
who speaks about a “new rural paradigm” that
comprises of activities such as networking and
cooperation. These arguments are then applied by
e.g. Perlín (2006).
Public administration of rural areas and its principles
have been constantly changing over the years;
the text studies mainly interaction between the topdown
and bottom-up approaches.
Rural governance is very close to local community
planning and it reflects local political points of view
(MacKinnon 2002; Goodwin 1998). The principle
of governance is gradually evolving into governmentality
i.e. to the state when more and more local
people are involved in the process of governance
and public administration (Herbert-Cheshire 2000).
STUDY AREA AND DATA
The study area
The research was conducted in the lowland area
between Brno, Břeclav, and Znojmo. Adjustments
were made to include the whole of the Břeclav district
and to respect the administrative borders. It
was also necessary to define landscape characteristics
in order to ensure that these were similar for the
whole study area.
Leaders’ perceptions of rural development : case study of South Moravia 35
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Figure 1 The study area divided into 3 subregions, 17 smaller units with own action groups, and 165 individual
municipalities. Source: South Moravian Region (administrative region), own elaboration.
For defining the study area, ethnographic and historical
point of view was, nevertheless, preferred.
The region thus includes: Hanácké Slovácko
(northern region), Podluží and the area of Lednice
and Valtice (a part of an administrative region of
municipality with extended powers Břeclav) i.e.
Wider Podluží, and the area historically inhabited by
Germans (“southern Moravia” near Znojmo). After
the Second World War the Germans living here (i.e.
in “southern Moravia”) were forced to leave, which
caused an important discontinuity in people’s feelings
and relations toward this part of Moravia. The
study area was also divided further into smaller
units, each with an own action group, and into individual
municipalities (see Figure 1).
The area consists mainly of important villages
(over 1,000 inhabitants) with declining lifestyle.
Nevertheless, there are also small towns which
can be described as relevant and hierarchically significant
centres, i.e. Břeclav and Znojmo. In case
of Brno, only its external influences such as possible
opportunities and threats were taken into
account.
The area is becoming significantly polarised; the
important role being played by transport accessibility
and availability, telecommunications and
information technologies. The effects of borders
of all hierarchic levels are also visible in the
area.
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Data and research process
It is also necessary to highlight here that the topic
of perceptions is very complex and it is necessary
to interpret the answers in a holistic way.
The methodology of the research is based on
the recommendations made by Disman (2002) or
whose book provides detailed guidance about the
way of conducting research in social sciences. The
author highlights the complexity of research. The
publication then not only describes the methods
traditional quantitative research which are used to
verify set hypotheses but it also focuses on qualitative
research and its potential to discover new phenomena
and facts. For the purpose of the research
of these phenomena, both qualitative and quantitative
methods were used (see Crang 2005).
For the purpose of this research, standardised interviews
with microregional managers (13) and mayors
(165) were conducted in the study area between
Brno, Břeclav, and Znojmo. Qualitative approaches
to conducting research were used for creating the
questionnaires.
The survey thus combines the principles of induction
(i.e. discovering of the “new” facts and relations) as
well as of deduction (i.e. verification of theoretical
principles and set hypotheses). Furthermore, methods
of comparation, analogy and authorised deconstruction
of interviews were also used during the research.
Quantitative methods then helped the authors of this
research (2009-2010) to verify their knowledge of the
area, and qualitative methods were used for learning
about perceptions among important actors in the area
and for understanding the future development.
Opinion polls
The interviews were conducted among the heads of
voluntary associations of municipalities and microregions
which participate in the LEADER programme.
Among these areas are: Židlochovicko, Hustopečsko,
Jevišovka, Znojemsko, Šatovsko, Podluží, Dyje,
Mikulovsko, Miroslavsko, Moravskokrumlovsko,
Pohořelicko, the area of Lednice and Valtice (Lednicko-valtický
areál in Figure 1), and Hrušovansko.
Examples of questions discussed during the
interviews:
What dominates: internal, own or external•
development/”development”?
Does the centre influence its surroundings or it•
does not have any impact? What was its role in
the past and what is its role nowadays?
Are there any new good addresses that are cur-•
rently appearing?
Are there any deteriorating areas?•
Is it possible to spatially define social groups that live•
their “own” lives and are excluded from the society?
Is there any power struggle under way? Is it•
fuelled from the inside or the outside?
Is it possible to speak about community/•
communities?
How are the people who have moved to the area•
recently perceived? Do they participate in the life
of a municipality?
Are there places for relaxation? For entertain-•
ment? Are they used by the locals?
Is there a church, a pub, local clubs? What’s their•
function/do they have influence?
How does culture shape the identity of people?•
How satisfied are people with public admini-•
stration?
Do people participate in development of the•
municipality?
Survey among mayors
Interviews with microregional managers were complemented
by standardised interviews with mayors
or in some cases with deputy mayors. The survey
was conducted in 165 municipalities which are
shown on the map of the study area (see Figure 1).
The mayors discussed mainly the following
questions:
What do you consider the most serious problems•
in your area nowadays?
What were in your opinion the most serious•
problems of your rural area at the beginning of
the 1990s?
Do you think that it is important to “revive” and•
“develop” life in rural areas?
Leaders’ perceptions of rural development : case study of South Moravia 37
AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
Who or what is in your opinion threatened by•
the current state of rural areas, and how?
What steps (activities, programmes, policies) do•
you consider the most important for revival of
life in rural areas?
Provided that you had enough money, what•
problems would you start to try and solve first?
RESULTS
Based on the interviews, the following part of the
text summarises the main findings about characteristics
of the study area, its problems and its potential
for development.
Results – microregional managers
According to ten out of thirteen microregional
managers, people welcome any development; only
the inhabitants of the most peripheral areas are not
interested at all because they consider this word
to be misused a lot. It must be highlighted though
that there are differing opinions of what development
really is. It is viewed as a word which leads
to improvements; however, it was also proved that
people do not actively seek development unless
they are regional managers or inhabitants otherwise
interested in it. Any activity will be perceived negatively
if it, according people’s opinion, leads to any
worsening of any area of their lives.
Administration of an area is connected with a lot of
dilemmas. Implementation of top-down projects is
thus sometimes really difficult. Listening to local people
and their advice therefore starts to be emphasised,
and endogenous development is being preferred,
which is, however, not the only way forward. Further
concepts such as partnership or shared governance
are thus being developed and pursued as well.
Administrative bodies, local businessmen and
organisations participate in collective activities; the
administration usually being the initiator. In small
villages cooperation is rather a necessity so that the
people would stay there.
Activeimplementationof theoriesof regionaldevelopment
may be found in the region of Mikulovsko.
This area actively uses the advantages of the opened
border with Austria. Despite this, understanding
and trust between the inhabitants and the institutions
is according to the respondents relatively low
and it is still possible to see formality, impatience,
and fear of competition and of the way of conduct
of the competitors as well as the potential partners.
The most important activity in the area bordering
with Austria is provision of services for tourists
such as building new accommodation and catering
facilities or wine business. The highlighted problem
of the Czech Republic in this border area is that
the schools and also companies here do not actively
promote acquiring of the German language.
The northern part of the study area – Židlochovicko
(in Figure 1 Cezava and Brněnsko) – may be characterised
by competition of relatively similar-sized
towns. This is then an advantage for Brno whose
impact is increasing here due to the process of
suburbanisation.
To speak about centrality in the regions with lower
transport accessibility and availability is according to
the respondents difficult. The regions invest into internal
activities but, on the other hand, they are aware
that their chance of being successful is not very high.
They therefore chose e.g. strategies of inertness when
i.e. Šatovsko (see Figure 1) may be characterised by
formality, pseudo-subsidiarity and unfulfilment.
“Good addresses” are near or in important centres
such as e.g. residential areas of businessmen
in Znojmo, Mikulovsko, and Hustopečsko. Among
the “bad addresses” are, on the other hand, disused
agricultural sites that deface the countryside and are
often used for landfill purposes.
Vaguely defined land rights have been causing
problems since the 1990s since they have not been
dealt with satisfactorily. At the moment the Ministry
of Agriculture does not support any final solution
to these difficulties, which are becoming very
expensive.
Political struggle in seven out of the thirteen
researched smaller units is under way among individuals
and it is hidden. Only Jevišovka could be
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characterised by the lack of any political tensions
but this region forms a periphery to all the centres
and also to important transportation routes. Political
cooperation is, according to a microregional
manager, successful in the Znojmo surroundings
despite disagreements of the political parties at
the higher levels. People in Šatovsko support direct
election of mayors and they are critical of the conditions
but they speak about low participation of
inhabitants in public matters.
Last but not least, a very important aspect in development
is the ability to learn and learning on the
whole since people can learn by both positive
(identity, employment) and negative (dependence
on subsidies, declining identity). The quality of
rural life may be further enhanced by supporting
community involvement in local associations, supporting
cultural activities and/or young people
and marginalized groups activities, development
of accommodation capacities and increasing of
the tourist attractiveness of the region which can
be in South Moravia based on e.g. wine culture and
traditions.
Results – mayors
Among the biggest problems identified by the
mayors are: unemployment, decline of agriculture,
unsolved land rights and inadequate technical as
well as social infrastructure in the municipalities.
The mayors are trying to find solutions to all these
problems at the same time but pursuing this strategy
means that the available finance must be divided
into a lot of different areas. On the other hand, it
should be highlighted that these problems are really
pressing and the mayors are required to deal with
them satisfactorily.
The aim of the second question was to learn about
the changes in the most problematic aspects of life
in the rural areas on the study area since 1989. It
should be, unfortunately, highlighted that the problems
limiting the development of the municipalities
in 1989 were the same as the current ones mentioned
above such as unkept technical infrastructure
and lack of financial resources, which is caused by
current fragmentation of the Czech Republic.
People with lower qualifications do not run businesses
and they struggle with finding enough
employment opportunities in their surrounding.
People who worked in this area had low qualifications
due to being employed in agriculture, which
limits their opportunities nowadays. Young people
and people with higher qualifications, on the other
hand, leave these municipalities to “free” themselves
from the limitations (such as job opportunities),
which further influences the lack of endogenous
resources of development.
A lot of municipalities struggle with selective emigration
because they are losing their social and cultural
resources. Selective emigration is thus one of
the important challenges for these municipalities
which try to overcome the problem by strategies of
regional development that ensure convergence.
Certain steps, however, sometimes do not influence
the rural way of life positively. A decision of a local
council to sell the hall used for cultural events and
a decision of a local businessman to close the pub
resulted in dissolution of the traditional sport association
“Sokol” and of the voluntary fire-fighters
organisation. All this led to no participation of local
citizens in the meetings of the municipality council
and to a complete estrangement of the citizens of
the municipality.
Most of the municipalities are at the moment able
to use their potential of attractiveness of wine
industry for tourists but there are limitations even in
this are due to the small number of vineyards that
belong to individual people (when compared with
Austria) which was caused by the processes in agriculture
in the second half on the 20th century, and
also due to the unwillingness of vineyard owners
to offer their properties and products for the tourist
industry. Endogenous growth of municipalities
could be intensified by mutuality of local people.
Agriculture is also perceived as in poor conditions
due to the unfavourable economic situation of agricultural
businesses and cooperation between them
even though the problems in cooperation seem to
be caused by both of the parties. Natural conditions
for agriculture are very good in the study area.
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The local governments of the municipalities argue
that they are the only actors who are responsible
for the landscape management, which they have
to perform, though, without appropriate financial
support. All the municipalities seem to be aware of
the fact that increasing number of inhabitants will
result in more difficulties with the services delivery
on the different hierarchical levels.
In case of having sufficient financial resources, the
municipalities divide the money in order to tackle
all the pressing problems such as cultural activities,
facilities for the citizens, strengthening of local
economy, environmental challenges, and problems
with technical infrastructure or cooperation. Such
a list of activities, nevertheless, suggests that the
money resources are split in order to finance a lot
of minor activities. Only a few actors realise that
there is the need to invest the finance effectively
and efficiently. On the other hand, it is not surprising
that the local leaders try to spend money
on a lot of small projects given the long-tem lack
of resources that is viewed as a very important
problem.
Among other difficulties which limit the possibility
of using the financial resources efficiently is the
lack of experience of the local leaders (30% of
the new mayors in their first electoral term have
other jobs and are not able to devote all their time
to the administration of the municipality). The
interviewed mayors acknowledged their lack of
experience with implementation of development
strategies, which negatively influences the concept
of endogenous development. On the other hand,
a successful implementation of development strategies
has activated the local inhabitants and the
participation spread to other people connected to
the successful person (i.e. any success brings about
further success).
At the moment another difficulty lies in the unwillingness
of banks to invest own financial resources
(their clients’ resources respectively) to such projects
and there is also very limited competition among
banks in the area of providing money for development
purposes of municipalities. On the other hand,
it should be mentioned that the current system of
subsidies has the potential to enable endogenous
development of municipalities by using the exogenous
impulses.
The question is then why the local leaders are not
able to use these opportunities or how consulting
agencies influence the process of getting money
resources; eventually why the rules of regional
operational programmes were set in such a confusing
and difficult way.
It is also questionable whether it is possible for
the local actors to understand the current system
(including the process of getting financial resources)
because of its complexity. It is possible to argue
then that the system brings relatively fewer positive
effects to its users that it could.
According to the answers of the mayors, all inhabitants
of rural areas are threatened by the current
problems. The mayors are also thinking about
whether any specific rural character of people still
exists or not.
DISCUSSION
There are two main conclusions about the
regions: First, the more often they are described
by experts as peripheral ones, the more marginal
they really are. Second, the higher number
of experts who deal with the question of local
development means that there is more effort to
implement their suggestion, which, however, disrupts
the local communities. Development in the
sense of administration of projects is not perceived
only positively but there are also objecting
claims that the regions are learning to live on subsidies
and state benefits, and that the administration
is selective and limited only to regions with
required size or human capital.
The regions consider the concept of networking a
useful one; on the other hand, it needs to be stated
that it would be misleading to see it as the only way
forward. Setting the rules influences the results.
Regional development is sometimes administered
by the method of trial and error although good
examples from practice may be found.
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CONCLUSION
Quo vadis? Regional Development
This part of the article describes anticipated future
development of the study area. The predictions are
based on the interviews and answers obtained from
microregional managers and mayors. For the purposes
of this part of the text, the study area was
divided into six sub-regions, each with a different
path of future development.
A) Integrated areas of Hanácké Slovácko including
Pohořelicko
The process of functional interconnection between
these suburbanised areas and Brno will continue.
It is possible to predict socially-cultural conflicts
within the current social stratification of the area
but the results of the conflict are impossible to
forecast. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the
local people, both newcomers and those who have
lived in the area for a long time, will try to preserve
the rural community in case they will plan to live
there for a long time. The area will use the positive
effects of the city of Brno but, on the other hand, it
will be burdened more by transportation (individual
as well as public transport).
B) Wider Podluží
It may be assumed that the region will use its cultural
activities, its attractiveness and its rural community
resources. The area offers very interesting opportunities
for recreation and tourism so it is possible
to predict further development of accommodation
and catering facilities, activities and programmes and
marketing, which will create new job opportunities
for local inhabitants and it will thus balance the job
offers from Břeclav, which is an important transportation
junction in the Czech Republic. Other opportunities
may come from the sector of services even
though these jobs are not that well-paid here.
C) Mikulovsko and Hrušovansko
Cultural resources are significantly lower here than
in the previous region but the rest of the characteristics
of Wider Podluží can be applied to this region
as well. Improvements of transport and technical
infrastructure are important for both of the areas;
an important role may be also played by the planned
construction of a motorway between Brno and
Vienna.
Mikulovsko and Hrušovansko are at the moment
using the opportunities of cross-border effects
from Austria more actively. The shops here attract
due to lower prices a lot of customers from Austria,
which improves local economic (as well as social
and cultural) situation.
D) Znojemsko and Šatovsko
The region can be characterised by the process
of Znojmo suburbanisation and by cross-border
influences despite its borders with a relatively poor
Austrian region. It is possible to predict that these
regions will use Znojmo and their favourable position
near the Austrian border. On the other hand,
some of the services offered in this region do not
represent the Czech Republic positively.
E) Miroslavsko, eastern Moravskokrumlovsko, Kounicko
Intensive agricultural production which is one of
the important sources of work opportunities and
actors in rural development will continue. Promotion
of quality of life and sustainable development
will become a general trend. It is also possible to
predict strengthening of the position of Brno in
these regions.
F) Jevišovka a Dyje
The area has been so far experiencing the spiral of
decline which can be characterised by the following
trends: the lower the number of people, the lower the
number of available facilities. Since commuting is not
attractive, people try to solve this situation by migration,
which means that a municipality further loses its
inhabitants and its potential, the negative feedback is
strengthened and the municipality is in decline.
Final results
The dichotomy of centre and periphery can be
found in the region till today. The municipalities are
able to use their endogenous resources to differing
extent (the highest in case of the region A, and the
lowest in case of the region F). The municipalities
and microregions are at the moment also trying
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AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
to use external financial resources (EARDF, ESF,
ERDF). Getting financial support is, nevertheless,
nearly impossible without mediation services.
There is not such a big number of leaders when
rural areas are compared with centres (Brno, Znojmo,
and Břeclav), and a network is not so wellestablished
among these leaders. Nevertheless, they
are trying to, within their scope of powers, use
various principles of endogenous and exogenous
development for the benefit of the studied municipalities
and microregions. In spite of active interest
in municipality matters and focus on progress
among the leaders, these people often lack expert
and long-term assistance.
The municipalities use strategic planning but their
citizens are not in most cases involved in the process
of planning. In future the municipalities will have to
pursue such strategies that will make the people more
active, use their own potential of development and
also communicate more effectively with the people
living in the municipalities and microregions.
The microregional managers know and try to use the
most common theories of regional development.
They know the area and they try to develop it mainly
by using the top-down method and by making use of
exogenous impulses (convergence strategy).
The mayors use endogenous development with
exogenous impulses but they are not able to motivate
the citizens in such a way that the people would
help them fulfil the common perception of development.
The mayors use the bottom-up methods.
They have problems with a burnout syndrome and
with severe lack of finance at this level of administration
in the Czech Republic where the top-won
approach prevails.
Networking is one of the very important strategies
of current regional policy of the Czech Republic.
Contacts and adherence to political parties play a
very important role in supporting various perceptions
of rural development. The resulting state of
a region is determined by the most powerful actors
who have contacts and the clearest vision of image
of the area.
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Leaders’ perceptions of rural development : case study of South Moravia42
AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
Résumé
Percepce rozvoje venkova očima leaderů:
Případová studie pro jižní Moravu
Mikroregionální manažeři a starostové obcí patří
mezi nejvýznamnější aktéry v oblasti rozvoje venkova.
Do značné míry mohou ovlivnit vývoj určitého
regionu, jelikož mají přístup k relevantním
informacím a úzce spolupracují s dalšími místními
aktéry v rozvoji zdejšího regionu. Kromě toho
mohou nejobjektivněji hodnotit strategie regionálního
rozvoje a obecně jejich teorie a jejich použitelnost
pro daný region.
Cílem článku je představit percepci regionu očima
mikroregionálních manažerů a starostů obcí na jižní
Moravě a jejich vize regionálního rozvoje (kam bude
směřovat další vývoj venkovských regionů). Výběr
osob, které byly osloveny, byl ovlivněn jejich funkce
v regionu (mikroregionální manažeři a starostové
obcí), jejich účastí ve zdejších i hierarchicky vyšších
sítích aktérů a jejich kroky na místní (endogenní) rozvoj.
Text popisuje současný stav studované oblasti
mezi městy Brno, Břeclav a Znojmo, a možná opatření,
která mohou být přijata v budoucnu.
Synergický přístup k rozvoji venkova je opřen
o poznání struktury a vzájemných vztahů jednotlivých
aktérů rozvoje venkova a o předpoklad, že
spoluprácí subjektů uvnitř i vně rozvíjených venkovských
území lze výrazně lépe využít rozvojových
dispozic, možností a schopností aktérů a dostupných
zdrojů (Binek et al. 2009:85).
Cílem předkládaného článku je zachytit percepci
rozvoje venkova leadery, kteří jsou schopni tento
budoucí vzhled venkovských regionů mezi Brnem,
Břeclaví a Znojmem reálně naplnit.
Pro naplnění tohoto cíle byla použita pracovní
hypotéza založená na síťování významných aktérů
a na percepci zkoumaného území.
Pro zachycení percepce regionálního rozvoje byla
zvolena kvalitativní metoda semistrukturovaných
rozhovorů se všemi mikroregionálními manažery
a se všemi starosty obcí ve zvoleném regionu.
Kvalitativní metoda výzkumu byla založena na
doporučeních Dismana (2002). Předmětná publikace
obsahuje podrobné pokyny o způsobu provádění
kvalitativního výzkumu ve společenských
vědách. Uvedená metoda přispěla k ověření pracovních
hypotéz (síťování aktérů, jejich percepce
a aplikace percepce v budoucím regionálním rozvoji
daných venkovských regionů).
Semistrukturované rozhovory s vyznanými leadery
(s mikroregionálními manažery a se starosty obcí)
byly dlouhodobě testovány společností GaREP, na
jejíž vybranou publikaci od Binka (2009) předkládaný
příspěvek navazuje.
Poté, co byly sesbírány percepce uvedených aktérů,
bylo provedeno setřídění, analýza a syntéza možných
vývojů venkovských regionů mezi Brnem,
Břeclaví a Znojmem. Získané a roztříděné závěry
(podle jednotlivých podstatných témat, semistrukturovaného
rozhovoru) jsou publikovány v části
věnované výsledkům práce.
Uvedená tématická syntéza je dále prostorově lokalizována
do území v rámci kapitoly věnované závěrečnému
vývoji v šesti agregovaných územích.
Konkrétně se jedná o tato území:
integrované území hanáckého Slovácka a Poho-A)
řelicka;
širší Podluží;B)
Mikulovsko a Hrušovansko;C)
Znojemsko a Šatovsko;D)
Miroslavsko, východní část MoravskokrumlovskaE)
a Kounicko;
Jevišovka a Dyje.F)
Možný budoucí vývoj ve všech uvedených agregovaných
(účelových) oblastech získaný na základě
syntézy uvedených percepcí regionálního rozvoje
venkovských regionů očima mikroregionálních
manažerů a starostů obcí byl popsán právě
v závěru tohoto příspěvku. Obecné teoretické
otázky, které vyvolal předkládaný kvalitativní
výzkum (semistrukturované otázky vybraným leaderům
v zájmovém území) jsou uvedeny v části
nazvané diskuse.
Leaders’ perceptions of rural development : case study of South Moravia 43
AUPO GeographicaVol. 42 No. 1, 2011, pp. 33-43
Předkládaný článek navázal na aktuální výzkumy
v oblasti rozvoje venkova a uplatňování politik regionálního
rozvoje. Ověřil nynější nejpodstatnější
trendy (viz použitá literatura) a postihl vnímání
budoucího vývoje v území. Uvedený příspěvek
navázal na činnost Binka et al. (2009).
Autoři splnili cíl článku, pracovní hypotézy byly
potvrzeny, provedená dotazníková šetření odpovídala
aktuálnímu stavu poznání v oblasti rozvoje
venkova, tento nástroj zjišťování byl vyhodnocen
jako relevantní pro hodnocení zkoumané problematiky
a předložil zajímavý obrázek budoucího vývoje
ve zkoumaném území.
Sladění rozvoje venkova je v současnosti velmi diskutovaným
tématem v rámci Společné zemědělské
politiky. Autoři věří, že předkládaný článek přispěje
k rozvoji interdisciplinárního oboru „rozvoj
venkova“.