Rural Space: Between Renewal Processes and Preservation

Dear Colleagues,

Rural space is undergoing significant changes as a result of rapid development. In developing countries, it suffers from the intrusion of urban functions, which alter residents’ livelihoods and occupations, subsequently reshaping the spatial distribution of settlements, the form and character of public spaces, and the design of homes. In developed countries, rural areas are often abandoned (particularly those distant from metropolitan areas and not serving as suburbs), or they become a “backyard” for infrastructure that cities prefer to avoid, ranging from large warehouses to facilities for green energy production. These processes fundamentally alter the character and identity of rural spaces.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather together papers (original research articles and review papers) that provide insights into these processes, and it seeks to uncover these phenomena while considering the unique historical, cultural, and social context of each location. This Special Issue will explore the social and cultural implications of these processes, the ideological shifts brought about by them, and their impact on physical spaces. The relevant scale is diverse, ranging from the regional to the settlement and architectural levels. Simultaneously, the Special Issue aims to capture the spirit of the place that should be preserved, even amidst development processes, and to explore how this preservation could be achieved.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

• Threats to the rural spaces;
• The preservation of rural heritage;
• The physical aspects of rural space transformation;
• The cultural interpretations of the significance of rural space.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Hadas Shadar
Prof. Dr. Irit Amit-Cohen
Guest Editors

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