A global-comparative analysis reveals drivers of rural development and their connections

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Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Rural development is crucial for addressing the current lag in global sustainable development progress. It is intimately connected with prosperity-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as no poverty and zero hunger, and is essential for protecting planetary health. However, longstanding urban-centric development strategies have often overlooked the significance of rural areas and the challenges they face. Moreover, existing research tends to emphasize the impact of individual drivers of rural development without fully considering the complex interplay of these drivers and the contextual dependencies involved. Hence, a systematic analysis of rural development drivers and their interactions is urgently needed to unlock their potential and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. This study systematically reviewed 19,901 articles and synthesized insights from 684 articles across 105 countries. Network analysis revealed a significant research gap in exploring driver connections, with only 10.9% of potential connections examined. Policy was the most studied driver, key to connecting others. The connections between innovation and networks received the widest discussion across various periods. Future research should prioritize the interconnections between climate change, natural disasters, community responses, digital technologies, and the sustainable management of natural resources and their environmental impacts. Grounded in social-ecological system theories, our conceptual framework of rural development provides a transdisciplinary toolkit for policymaking, planning, and collaborative engagement to promote rural development and advance the achievement of the SDGs.