Back to rural: how can the countryside be revitalized?

Rural life is often envisioned as an idyllic existence, immersed in nature, eating locally sourced food, and engaging in friendly chats with neighbors. However, the reality for many is that residing in the countryside poses many challenges, such as insufficient services, poor infrastructure, and lack of employment opportunities. This has prompted a clear trend, particularly among the youth and working-age population, to migrate from rural areas to urban centers and their suburbs. While this transition entails significant lifestyle adjustments, it frequently represents the sole solution for securing employment, accessing quality education, and improving living conditions.

The underlying message is unequivocal: for a good life, urban migration is a must. Despite the fact that city-dwellers generally enjoy more elevated living standards compared to their rural counterparts, urban living often precludes the enjoyment of advantages of rural life such as clean air, less traffic, and beautiful natural surroundings. Moreover, the ongoing centralization and urbanward shift lead to escalated housing costs, urban congestion, and a general decline in quality of life. Simultaneously, rural areas face depopulation, exacerbating the scarcity of services and enterprises. The phenomenon of rural desertion results in abandoned farms and unkept fields, declining production of local food, and deteriorating buildings that represent a danger. Revitalizing rural areas would not only contribute to solving these issues, but also enhance rural quality of life, foster an organic development of settlements, and reduce poverty in remote regions.

The central question arises: how can we revitalize small towns and rural areas?

At present, it is primarily the older generation that contemplate, albeit gradually, to move to the countryside. However, rural areas should evolve into an attractive place for all demographics, offering opportunities for children, youth, professionals, and the elderly. There are several ways to do so:

Digital transformation

Digitalization requires substantial public and private investments, but in the era of remote work, strong broadband connectivity stands as a fundamental prerequisite for work and leisure activities.

A place for digital nomads

Villages and small towns already possess an increadible asset in the form of vacant, affordable properties. The increasingly common trend of "workations" among digital nomads, combining work with leisure, can be used to breathe life into these places.

Local products

Irrespective of the proximity to bigger supermarket chains, promoting access to healthy, locally sourced food can be achieved through the establishment of local stores, intertwining agriculture and services in the name of sustainability.

Smart towns

Rural areas, especially those in close proximity to towns, offer an ideal setting for innovation hubs, startups, and innovative projects. Affordable land costs and plenty of available space make construction of “village-hubs” relatively easy. Small enterprises in search of novel workspaces could be attracted by such an option.

Shared mobility

Recognizing that rural life often necessitates owning a car, and given that public investment in infrastructure and transport remains slow and costly, services like car and bicycle sharing present pragmatic alternatives that can foster community development.

Reviving rural communities may seem like a long and complicated process. Yet, a uniform approach coupled with a combination of public and private initiatives is possible.

What do you think? Are you someone yearning for opportunities in a rural setting but having a hard time finding any? Or are you maybe an urban dweller intrigued by the prospect of living elsewhere? Share your perspectives in the comments section and don’t hesitate to reach out for further discussions.