| Abstract [eng] |
The Master's thesis analyzes the systematic change of suburban areas: the case of the Kurtuvėnai Relaxation and Cultural Complex. The work consists of three main parts: the theoretical, the research methodology and the empirical. The theoretical part of the paper presents the concept of suburban development based on the concepts of rural development, expansion and evolution, focusing on sustainable rural development. Conceptualization of regional policy identifies the most lagging regions and the factors determining the success of the resort area. After having analyzed the development of the countryside in terms of social, economic, local identity and its development interactions, the sources of the acquisition of competitive advantage of suburban areas in the knowledge society are identified. The functions of suburban areas have been identified and the analysis of the systemic changes of rural areas has been carried out, neoendogenic model of rural development has been analyzed, based on which semi-structured interview questionnaire guidelines were developed for the actors creating the identity of Kurtuvėnai. The research methodology section presents the research strategy, logical scheme, research methods and organization, identifying the objectives of qualitative and quantitative research. In the empirical part of the work, anonymous questionnaire survey of the members of the Kūrtuvėnai community was carried out, aiming to reveal attitude to the current quality of life and factors that could lead to the growth of the town and increase its attractiveness through the use of local natural and human resources. In the analysis of semi-structured interviews, the aim was to compare the results obtained and to reveal the competitive identity, opportunities and potential of the Kurtuvėnai area, as well as to provide the directions of improvement of Kurtuvėnai district area foreseen by the identity creating actors and the vision of the Kurtuvėnai area. The results of the research revealed that the Kurtuvėnai Regional Park Directorate, the Kurtuvėnai Community, the Bubiai Eldership and the St. Apostle Jacob Parish make the largest influence upon Kurtuvėnai development, creating the area's competitive identity and attracting visitors and tourists. The town of Kurtuvėnai is identified as an exclusive strategic area for the development of culture, leisure and entertainment, which can become the capital of leisure, entertainment and craft culture for Šiauliai region, by creating relaxation and cultural complex of Kurtuvėnai. |
