Institute of

LV Rural Studies

Projects "Settlement development and spatial mobility"

Ongoing Projects

5-Länder-Evaluation: What are the effects of financing rural development on agriculture, on environment and well-being in rural areas?

In cooperation with the Thünen-Institute of Farm Economics, the Thünen-Institue of International Forestry and Forest Economics and entera the Thünen-Institute of Rural Studies evaluates rural develpoment programmes and measures within a multi-disciplinary team and approach. The Institute of Rural Studies is the leading partner. Main tasks are analyses regarding programme delivery and implementation, enviromental issues, the support of human capital and cooperation activities as well as rural development including the LEADER approach.

Coming, but not staying? Living conditions of workers from Southeastern EU countries in rural areas of Germany

Labour migration from EU countries, primarily from Southeast Europe, is increasingly shaping rural areas in Germany. The project researches the living conditions of migrant workers who do not intend to stay long-term.

Greenhouse Gas Neutral Germany: Effects on the Economy and Living Conditions in Rural Areas

The 2021 Federal Climate Change Act stipulates that Germany should become greenhouse gas neutral until 2045. The TREND:LR project analyses economic, social, and policy aspects of this transformation in rural areas.

How accessible are basic services in different regions?

Currently basic services are concentrated in cities and agglomerations. But does this mean that an under-supply exists in practice?

Rural housing between owner-occupancy and renting

The image of rural housing is dominated by owner-occupied homes. In reality, also here rental and multi-story apartments meet the housing needs of a variety of households, both among long-term stayers and in-migrants.

Finished Projects

Changing Living Conditions in Rural Areas

Starting in 1952, „Changing Living Conditions in Rural Areas“ investigates the everyday life and changes thereof in fourteen German villages and their surroundings. Originally 10 west German villages, the study was enlarged to fourteen villages from east and west Germany after reunification in 1992. The 2012 study is a joint research project of seven cooperating institutes, headed by the Thünen Institute of Rural Studies.

Living in rural areas

Our research project takes the perspective of inhabitants and asks how demographic change affects daily life and living arrangements in rural areas and small-towns.

On coming, leaving and staying (KoBaLd)

In the public debate, rural areas are in general terms often described as regions of emigration. We analyse different migration directions and subjective motives in order to create a better empirical basis.

Processes of regional shrinkage: measures and strategies

For decades many regions in Germany have been affected by population decline and aging. „Shrinkage“, as this path of development is often called in the German debate, comes about due to overlapping economic, social and demographic changes. Although shrinkage is far from being a new topic, the regional scale of shrinkage remains neglected in both the scientific and the political discourse.

Small towns: settlement and sociodemographic patterns in transition

Small towns are anchor points in rural areas – at least in the ideal planning. In reality, they differ strongly in their structure and functions as well as with regard to the municipal scope for action.

Staying in the Rural

Staying in rural (and non-rural) areas in different life course stages is connected to deliberate decisions. The project aims to highlight the motives of those who stay, as they are often neglected in studies on rural areas.

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