290369 UE Exercise on rural geography: peripheries and remote areas, group A (2009S)

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals and rudiments of regional development in different peripheries of Austria. The administrative level as well as project orientation and the putting into practice of regional development will all be considered. The course goal is to attain a comprehensive conception and reflection of the regional specifics of various regions and their potential development options.
The course itself is structured with regard to interdisciplinary modes of access of human and economic geography, spatial planning, regional policy and development.
The following contents and questions should be treated in closer detail:
- basic structures of regional development and policy in the European Union
- recent theoretical and practical concepts of regional development in Austria
- comparative regional development (centres vs. peripheries)
- methods and techniques of empirical research (preparing and using questionnaires)
- presentation and analysis of current useful literature, information posts or media and institutions on the major theme (overview and working aids)
Special focus is on (summer term 2008): protected areas as an economic regional development impulse for remote areas (including a period of practical training)?