An article examined the extent to which rural studies conducted in Europe (compared with other countries in the 'global north') had addressed the phenomenon of rural ageing.
Source: Vanessa Burholt and Christine Dobbs, 'Research on rural ageing: where have we got to and where are we going in Europe?', Journal of Rural Studies, Volume 28 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined the relations between older people, poverty, and place in rural Britain. Older poor groups constructed their lives in complex terms with references made to both social inclusions and social exclusions. Socio-cultural contexts of place were significant in shaping older people's understandings of poverty in rural areas.
Source: Paul Milbourne and Shane Doheny, 'Older people and poverty in rural Britain: material hardships, cultural denials and social inclusions', Journal of Rural Studies, Volume 28 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Nov
An article examined multi-area agreements – a new form of sub-regional governance in England – and their impact on rural territories. It considered the wider implications for rural spaces that might emerge as new structures of sub-regional governance were formalized.
Source: Simon Pemberton and David Shaw, 'New forms of sub-regional governance and implications for rural areas: evidence from England', Planning Practice and Research, Volume 27 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Jul
A report examined approaches to measuring rural deprivation, and their suitability in the Welsh context. It considered the extent to which the existing Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation was effective in measuring rural deprivation, and how the latter was reflected in policy development and funding decisions. There was growing evidence that the factors that defined deprivation in rural areas were different from those elsewhere, and that a specific rural index of deprivation could be developed.
Source: Getting the Measure of Rural Deprivation in Wales, Local Government Data Unit (Wales)/Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion
Links: Report | Data Unit press release | OCSI press release | WLGA press release
Date: 2012-May
A report examined the nature of rural change in Britain and Europe since the mid 1980s.
Source: Nigel Curry and Malcolm Moseley (eds.), A Quarter Century of Change in Rural Britain and Europe, Countryside and Community Research Institute
Links: Summary
Date: 2012-Mar
A briefing paper provided an overview of the main approaches being taken to the alleviation of rural poverty in Northern Ireland, and examined whether these approaches had specifically targeted or benefited rural women.
Source: Empowerment of Rural Women in Northern Ireland: Impacts on poverty, development and current challenges, Briefing Note 42/12, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Briefing
Date: 2012-Feb
An article examined the association between rurality and health in Scotland. No consistent pattern of better or poorer health in people living in rural areas was found, compared with primary cities. However, individuals living in remote small towns had a lower risk of a hospital admission for coronary heart disease, and those in very remote rural areas had lower mortality, compared with those living in primary cities.
Source: Paulos Teckle, Phil Hannaford, and Matthew Sutton, 'Is the health of people living in rural areas different from those in cities? Evidence from routine data linked with the Scottish Health Survey', BMC Health Services Research, Volume 12
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Feb
A policy statement examined the future of rural England. It considered how to meet the immediate needs of many rural people for affordable homes, well paid jobs, and access to services; and how to meet the additional housing and employment needs of a growing and ageing population. In the right place, garden cities or new market towns could provide affordable housing, create jobs, and promote sustainable lifestyles and development.
Source: A Vision for Rural England, Town and Country Planning Association
Links: Policy statement | TCPA press release | RSN Online report
Date: 2012-Jan