Global forces and local responses – A “hot-spots” model of rural revival in a peripheral region in the Central-Eastern European context

This article aims to present a comprehensive conceptual model that elucidates the multifaceted transformations occurring in peripheral rural areas. Once subject to depopulation and decline, these regions now exhibit signs of rural revival, as exemplified by the Kłodzko region in the Sudetes. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach, integrating geography and sociology, and utilizes a mixed methods research design. It encompasses both desk research of secondary data and the analysis of primary data, including field surveys, quantitative and qualitative social surveys, and interviews. Drawing upon empirical data and an extensive literature review, this study culminates in the development of a conceptual model that captures the essence of the changes in peripheral rural areas. By exploring the factors that enable depopulated rural regions to embark on a trajectory of development, this paper analyzes influences at various spatial scales: global, national, regional, and local. Consequently, it delineates diverse forms of rural revitalization, encompassing demographic, social, economic/functional, and spatial/landscape aspects. Of particular significance are the pivotal roles played by endogenous factors such as territorial and social capital. These factors have proven instrumental in reshaping the influence of external driving forces, resulting in a high degree of spatial diversity within the revitalization processes. The proposed "hot-spots" model of rural revival holds promise for informing the management of rural areas, aiding the formulation of policies and strategies for rural development that are tailored to local constraints.