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Quality of Life and Attachments to Rural Settlements: The Basis for Regeneration and Socio-Economic Sustainability

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Listed:
  • Aleksandra Tešin

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Aleksandra S. Dragin

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
    Department of Business Organization, Marketing and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Tamara Jovanović

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Zrinka Zadel

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, 51410 Opatija, Croatia)

  • Tamara Surla

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Kristina Košić

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar

    (Department of Business Organization, Marketing and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Alberto Calahorro-López

    (Department of Business Organization, Marketing and Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Boris Kuzman

    (Institute of Agricultural Economics, Volgina 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Vladimir Stojanović

    (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

Abstract

Balanced territorial development and improving living conditions have become the focus of rural development policies. As the number of young people moving to cities or other countries is increasing, rural settlements face serious demographic disbalances and aging societies. Quality of life and place attachment are both key variables in enhancing the social and economic capacities of rural and undeveloped communities and reducing youth out-migration. However, this topic remains underexplored, especially among younger generations, who are critical for further socio-economic sustainability. Thus, the main goal of this study was to explore young residents’ perceptions about quality of life, level of attachment to their rural homes, and their interrelationship. This study was conducted among 299 participants in rural areas of Serbia and Croatia. The results identified two quality of life factors: (1) satisfaction with the quality of infrastructure and (2) satisfaction with culture and education. Three attachment factors were extracted, among which place identity was the strongest. Additionally, the influence of quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics on place attachment was confirmed. These results provide new insights that could be very useful in creating strategies and initiatives for rural planning and strengthening rural areas’ social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Tešin & Aleksandra S. Dragin & Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić & Tamara Jovanović & Zrinka Zadel & Tamara Surla & Kristina Košić & Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar & Alberto Calahorro-López & Boris Kuzma, 2024. "Quality of Life and Attachments to Rural Settlements: The Basis for Regeneration and Socio-Economic Sustainability," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1364-:d:1464155
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio Dekanić & Zoran Ježić, 2025. "Sustainable Waste Management as a Determinant of Quality of Life in Croatian Island Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-22, April.
    2. Inna V. Miroshnichenko & Olga V. Doroshenko & Maria V. Tereshina & Vadim N. Rakachev & Elena V. Morozova & Mikhail V. Golub & Laura A. Shpiro, 2024. "Analysing Rural Development Models Based on Intangible Assets and Socio-Economic Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-28, December.
    3. Aleksandra S. Dragin & Tamara Surla & Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić & Tamara Jovanović & Zrinka Zadel & Milena Nedeljković-Knežević & Aleksandra Tešin & Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar & Alberto Calahorro-López , 2024. "Exploring the Link Between Openness and Entrepreneurial Capacity in Young People: Building Resilient and Sustainable Rural Territories," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić & Aleksandra S. Dragin & Tamara Surla & Aleksandra Tešin & Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar & Alberto Calahorro-López & Vladimir Stojanović & Zrinka Zadel & Kristina Košić & Olja Mun, 2024. "Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: Understanding How Local Communities Perceive and Engage with Spa Tourism Development Initiatives in Rural Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Shanshan Jia & Peiyao Li & Wenxiao Jia & Xiaorui Chen, 2025. "Rates and Patterns of Town Expansion in China’s 17 Shrinking Tourism-Type Counties," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-19, February.

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