The aim of this research project is to develop a method for delimiting rural areas and classifying them into regions using a functional regional taxonomy for the purposes of the Rural Development Concept. The newly defined functional rural regions will subsequently be compared with the current administrative division of the Czech Republic, and their compliance with applicable national and European legislation and other methodological documents selected in consultation with the end user will be ensured.
Based on a review of available materials and with consideration for innovative solutions, such as mobile-network operator data, a method defining rural areas through a functional regional taxonomy will be developed. The method will then be tested and adapted to meet the state’s regional-policy needs. It will also be compared with methods previously used to support rural areas in order to verify and, where necessary, refine the newly developed approach.
A map application will be created to enable the end user to model different territorial scenarios with an emphasis on rural development. Achieving this objective will also make it possible to target national regional-policy strategies more effectively at areas with the greatest need and to improve the state’s ability to verify the impacts of national and regional strategies on rural areas (rural proofing).