The underlying causes of unsustainable rural development

GÖMÖRSZŐLŐS, a Sustainable Village

Aim and objectives of the project Modell for sustainable rural development To maintain traditional culture To improve social wellbeing of local people To preserve the good quality of environment

Elements of the project Organic farming and nature conservation Handicrafts Education and demonstration centre Tourism

Organic farming and nature conservation Objectives: –Traditional land use –Maintain genetic stock –Preserve landscape –Healthy food for people Integrated functions: - Economic: production and products for the local market - Social: income for locals - Environmental: sustainable use of local resources

Organic farming: »Mangalica pig farm »Organic garden for demonstration »Ex situ genetic bank »Extensive orchard

Additional income Increase the product diversity of local market Unique, local products Attraction for tourists Maintain local culture Handicrafts, live on traditions

Small businesses Wool processing plant: –Old machines –Bio quality of wool and products –Three functions: Products for the market Income for locals Maintaining grass lands

Shop for local handicrafts

Occasional workers

Education and demonstration center Functions: –Innovation for sustainable development –Center for sustainable development studies –Education tourism –Demonstration of environmentally friendly techniques, such as alternative heating, water supply and waste management (waste minimization, composting)

Lesson learnt There is no local sustainability in an unsustainable society/world General development trends overrides the rural development efforts (Rural) development schemes are inadequate to manage the unsustainable trends because they do not target the causes of the problem

Values determine structures, structures determine functions

Underlying causes Overall structure identifies function The cause of (rural) problem is the structure of the society The underlying cause of rural problem is the orientation of the society towards the material value People move to live into big cities, as big cities make them satisfied to meet their material needs A new structure comes out Move: young Stay: old, disable, no skills, women, roma Come: has money, utilizes opportunities (cheep working power, land, leisure)

Result of the new structure Contra-selected population Less development potential Reason for developers to develop Money made available for rural development Sources for rural development are diverted back to big markets /tender, construction materials/ New infrastructures have to be maintained from local sources Less people in the countryside results inefficiency in services and supply Local production and consumption are paralyzed by big markets Collapse of local market Money shifts towards big markets Less / no income in the rural region Rural people move to cities

Conclusion The problem is ethical/values The answer is technical