Service provision and social cohesion in rural areas: interaction between commuting, mobility and the residential preferences in Latvia

The main issue addressed in this study is interaction of development policy of agricultural and rural areas with the regional and cohesion policies. This paper is based on an empirical study of everyday commuting models and spatial practices of different social groups of rural people in Latvia. This article analyzes data from a survey “Place, capabilities, migration” conducted in 2011 with a total of 1009 respondents in Latvia. The theoretical basis of research is rooted in the mobility studies and sociological and geographical conceptualization of space and place. The main focus is on analysis of relationship between commuting, mobility and the placeattachment. What are the main reasons of rural population mobility and everyday commuting? What services and where rural people use? What should be done to make rural places more attractive for people as places of work and residence?