A New Approach to Rural Development: Adaptation of Austria’s Village Renewal to China
1.0 Title
The working title of the research was initially drafted as: A New Approach to Rural Development: Adaptation of Austria’s Village Renewal to China. This paper presents a proposal to research, explore and study the application of Village Renewal of Austria in Rural Development in China. In this proposal, the concepts and ideas about Village Renewal and Rural Development will be discussed briefly as well as the information about the implementation process of the study.
2.0 Background of the Study
Currently, China is undergoing massive changes in its economic performance and condition. China is considered as the fastest growing economy in the world, and considered as the third largest economy in the world after USA and Japan. This rise and growth is considered as phenomenon because the country can be considered as “sleeping” for a long time. One of the important strategies being implemented in the country is to improve the infrastructure and condition in the rural areas. This focuses on improving the living conditions in the rural areas, which consequently help in order to narrow the gap between the rural and urban lives (Holcim Foundation n.d.). With this, Beijing, China is considered as one of the first places in China where in Village Renewal was applied. Village renewal was adapted from Austria. The movement of Village Renewal is considered as a story of success in Lower Austria which started in 1984 with 4 pilot villages. Thus, currently, it is considered as the biggest initiative of the citizens that have existed in the country (Dorf & Stadt n.d.).
The main direction of Village Renewal in Lower Austria is to improve and strengthen the local communities. The participation of many members of the communities in the planning processes and the steps in implementing the plans help to improve the standard of quality of the projects together with the high level of acceptance from the citizens (Raumordnung-Noe n.d.).
3.0 Objectives of the Study
The main aim of the study is to evaluate and assess the application of Austria’s Village Renewal in China rural development in Beijing. In connection, the following are the specific objectives of the study:
- to analyze the perceptions of the citizens towards Village Renewal;
- to describe the advantages and benefits of Village Renewal for the citizens’ lives; and
- to present the advantages and benefits of Village Renewal to the overall economic and social condition of the community.
On the other hand, the following are the hypotheses of the study:
- Village Renewal helps to improve the overall infrastructure, structure and design of village in Beijing;
- Village Renewal had helped the living conditions of citizens in terms of economic and social aspects; and
- Village Renewal had helped to improve the cooperation and responsiveness of the citizens towards changes and development in the society.
4.0 Methodology
4.1 Data Collection
Survey questionnaire, interview and observation will be used in this study in order to gather primary data. This will focus on the perceptions, acceptance, benefits and advantages of Village Renewal based on the perspectives of the citizens.
4.2 Sample Frame
The sample frame of this study will be from one of the village in Beijing China. First, the name of individual villages will be listed in piece of paper, and based on this, the village where the study to be implemented will be drawn. Then 60% of the entire population (18 and above years old) will be surveyed and observed.
4.3 Data Analysis
The data results of the study will be analyzed by determining their corresponding frequency, percentage and weighted mean. The following statistical formulas will be used:
1. Percentage – to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire.
n
% = ——– x 100 ; n – number of responses
N N – total number of respondents
2. Weighted Mean
f1x1 + f2x2 + f3x3 + f4x4 + f5x5
x = ———————————————;
xt
where: f – weight given to each response
x – number of responses
xt – total number of responses
4.4 Timetable
June
July
August
September
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Problem
Identification
Literature
Review
Research
Design
Choice of
Methodology
Data
Sources
Data
Collection
Data
Analysis
Writing up
Draft
Editing
Final
Document
Binding of
Document
5.0 References
Dorf & Stadt, Village Renewal, http://www.dorf-stadterneuerung.at/ (Accessed on 15 June 2010).
Holcim Foundation, Measuring Up to the Criteria of Sustainable Construction – “People”, http://www.holcimfoundation.org/ (Accessed on 15 June 2010).
Raumordnung-Noe, Village Renewal in Lower Austria, http://www.raumordnung-noe.at/ (Accessed on 15 June 2010).
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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