Indicators of rural vitality : a GIS-based analysis of socio-economic development of the rural Netherlands

Concern for the socio-economic vitality of rural areas has stimulated various development programmes. This paper proposes a methodology to quantify this policy concept following a strict socio-economic interpretation and use it to assess the structural characteristics and performance of rural vitality in the Netherlands. The use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) and highly detailed spatial data are crucial in this approach. The study shows that developments as regards population, employment and facilities in small settlements in the generally well-accessible Netherlands do not differ greatly from the national trends. The results thus question the basis for the specific rural development objectives of the new National Spatial Strategy. rural vitality ; socio-economic development ; small settlement ; indicator ; geographical information system ; the Netherlands