Quality of rural life and culture: Managing change through the identification of good practice, pilot implementation projects and evaluation

Improving the quality of life in remote communities is directly related to the survival and enhancement of their culture, built heritage and landscapes. Conservation of these places creates a spirit of home while interlinking generations including diaspora to connect them to their past to reinforce a sense of belonging. But these unique places and their values are extremely fragile thus must be identified, recorded (digitally) and vigorously protected. Successful rural development aids in this protection and is a process that aims to improve the quality of life though helping people set their own priorities through effective and inclusive involvement, improving local capacity, social services as well as culture. However, rural development that does not address culture, the built environment or landscape risks damaging the community, its values and sustainability.