Rethinking rural futures: Qualitative scenarios for reflexive regional development

Thomas G. Measham, Toni Darbas, Rachel Williams, Bruce Taylor

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A key question for rural regions concerns the extent to which they can shape their own future. Addressing this issue in any given location inevitably involves defi ning regional aspirations in the face of global pressures. To navigate this nexus of endogenous and exogenous factors, we emphasise the role of informed dialogue in place-specifi c contexts, where both the possible contributions of science and the values held by local participants are openly discussed. In this article we present an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of this action research approach, followed by a case study application in Apollo Bay, Victoria, Australia. This case study made use of qualitative scenarios to underpin discussion regarding the future of the region, in particular reconsideration of the focus on township expansion for survival. We suggest that evaluation has a strong role to play in a dialogic research process. Evaluation can bring insights from participatory scenario development to the surface and can encourage the identifi cation of factors that enabled and disabled learning. The development of our approach raised a number of issues that are discussed here yet could be fruitfully researched further. The fi rst is the extent to which place, in terms of amenity, identity and resources, materially shapes the options for regional development. The second is the role institutions operating at multiple scales play in addressing those options.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)176-189
    Number of pages14
    JournalRural Society
    Volume21
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2012

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