The rural world facing the challenges of territory planning

Abstract

This account is dedicated to the seminar conclusion « development in low-density rural areas » which took place on 29th April, 1998 at Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne region). In basing itself on the community dynamics and within a standpoint of national territory planning, the various facets of the researcher and the intellectual function by comparison with the decision-maker are approached in showing how much it is important that researchers' findings lead to define new typologies, to set aside or to revise the ones which are in existence and to help the making of the transition from old ones to new ones. The functions of researcher's council, their expertise and their answers to social requirements are also brought forward to increase the efficiency of public decision-making and reduce the waiting period for its implementation. The organisation of relations between researchers and decision-makers is also an efficiency guarantee for the assessment of community programmes and the objectives specified for the reform of the community structural Funds, especially the objective 5b which is more particularly meant for the regions behind in development.