Living conditions in rural areas in Romania from 1990 to 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iulian Stănescu
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Public Utilities ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Housing Cost ◽  
Objective Data ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
Statistical Surveys

The paper looks into the main trends of living conditions in rural areas in Romania from 1990 to 2020. The first part of the paper deals with housing. It features issues and indicators concerning housing supply, the breakdown of the housing stock by building material, overcrowding, vulnerable groups, and housing cost overburden. The second part focuses on access to public utilities: water, sanitation, natural gas, electricity and the Internet. The third part looks into the policy and financing concerning living conditions in rural areas. We use national time series, objective data from census and statistical surveys for observing long term trends. Cross-sectional, objective data from European statistical surveys is used for international comparisons. According to the main findings, living conditions in rural areas in Romania experienced a marked improvement over the thirty year period, especially in terms of reduced housing overcrowding, increased access to water, sanitation, and the Internet. However, this statement requires nuances and caveats. Despite the progress made, the gap compared to Western Europe persists. The suburbanisation of rural areas and the variance between and within communes in terms of dwellings’ access to water, sanitation, and natural gas are two trends that point to the increased heterogeneity of rural communities in Romania. Looking forward, there are sustainability and affordability risks concerning the expansion of public utilities in rural areas. Keywords: living conditions; quality of life; Romania; rural; water supply; sanitation; natural gas; internet; housing; dwellings. ●●●●● Articolul analizează principalele tendinţe privind condiţiile de viaţă din mediul rural din România din 1990 până în 2020. Prima parte a lucrării se referă la locuinţe. Sunt prezentate aspecte şi indicatori privind construcţia de locuinţele, situaţia fondului de locuinţe după materialul de construcţie al pereţilor, supraaglomerarea, grupurile vulnerabile şi costurile locuirii. A doua parte a lucrării se concentrează pe accesul la utilităţile publice: apă, canalizare, gaze naturale, electricitate şi internet. A treia parte a articolului tratează politicile şi finanţarea privind îmbunătăţirea condiţiilor de viaţă în zonele rurale. Pentru identificarea tendinţelor pe termen lung au fost utilizate serii de date obiective la nivel naţional provenite din recensăminte şi anchete statistice. Date obiective transversale din anchetele statistice europene sunt utilizate pentru comparaţii internaţionale. Conform principalelor concluzii, condiţiile de viaţă din zonele rurale din România au cunoscut o îmbunătăţire semnificativă în perioada de treizeci de ani, în special în ceea ce priveşte reducerea supraaglomerării, accesul sporit la apă, canalizare şi Internet. Această afirmaţie necesită însă nuanţări. Suburbanizarea zonelor rurale şi diferenţierea dintre şi în cadrul comunelor în ceea ce priveşte accesul locuinţelor la apă, canalizare şi gaze naturale sunt două tendinţe care indică eterogenitatea crescută a comunităţilor rurale din România. Privind în perspectivă, extinderea utilităţilor publice în zonele rurale prezintă riscuri de sustenabilitate şi suportabilitate în bugetul gospodăriilor. Cuvinte-cheie: condiţii de viaţă; calitatea vieţii; România; mediu rural; apă curentă; canalizare; gaze naturale; Internet; locuinţe.

scholarly journals European money in the Romanian village. Case study

Moldoscopie ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Mazare ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
The Internet ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Media ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Modern Technologies

The money from European funds opened new horizons for the inhabitants of Romanian villages. They began to look at the future with other eyes, got acquainted with modern technologies and made their work easier. The communal roads were paved, the houses became more beautiful, the living conditions of the villagers improved with the help of modern utilities – sewerage, natural gas, almost all agricultural plots are worked, the number of social workers decreased. The internet and the media have brought new information, many of which are useful and open to ideas. The number of advantages of accessing European funds far exceeds the number of disadvantages, including in Romanian village.

Financial Innovations and Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-33
Author(s):  
Naomi Wanja Ireri ◽  
Gladys Kimutai
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Internet Banking ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Financial Innovations ◽  
Automated Teller Machine

Commercial banks in Kenya have embraced alternative banking channels which represent a shift in delivery of banking and financial services since the alternative banking have become synonymous with commercial banks in Kenya. While banks have succeeded in leveraging available technology and provide alternative avenues to customers for banking services, the challenge it faces today is optimizing the usage of these channels so as to improve on their performance. The general objective of this study was to investigate the effects of financial innovations on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the influence of internet banking, mobile banking, agency banking and ATM banking on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study was guided by agency theory, balanced score card and diffusion of innovation theory. This study employed a descriptive research design. The study targeted44 commercial banks in Kenya as at 2017. The 16 banks which embrace all the four financial innovations from 2013 to 2017were selected using purposive sampling method. The sample size was 80 respondents who comprised of 5 senior management employees in each of the selected banks.This study used questionnaire to collect primary data from the respondents. Content analysis technique was used to analyze qualitative data collected from open ended questions in and reported in narrative form. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the quantitative data. Multiple regression analysis was used to show the relationship between independent variables against dependent variable. The study revealed that internet banking, mobile banking, agency banking and ATM banking had a positive and significant effect on the performance of commercial banks. Thisstudy concludes that the banking industry has benefited tremendously from the development of the Internet. The Internet fundamentally changed the way in which banking networks are designed to meet the client demands and expectations. Mobile banking provides a good opportunity to commercial banks in Kenya to reach many mobile phone subscribers in Kenya who had remained unbanked and unreached due to limited access to bank branch networks in the country. The access to the large masses through mobile banking of the population gives banks the opportunity to grow by reaching the unbanked population. Agency banking has led to accessibility of financial service to many customer in remote areas and hence an increase in effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery. Customers are satisfied with the automated teller machine services because of ease of use, transaction cost and service security but not satisfy with automated teller machine dispense of cash. The study recommends that the public and businesses must be encouraged to use Internet banking in their daily activities, including deposits, payments and money transfers. Commercial banks in Kenya should ensure convenience and security of mobile banking through written guidelines on convenience and security of mobile banking. Commercial banks in Kenya should increase the number of agents in estates and in the rural areas. This can be done by reducing the requirements of becoming a bank agent. The banks should employ customized software that records relevant information on automated teller machine cards so that banks can establish whether unauthorized transaction has taken place or not.

Water and sanitation policies for improving health in South Africa: overcoming the institutional legacy of apartheid

Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 627-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edina Sinanovic ◽  
Sandi Mbatsha ◽  
Stephen Gundry ◽  
Jim Wright ◽  
Clas Rehnberg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The South ◽  
Financing System ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
New Policies

The burden of water-related disease is closely related to both the socio-economic situation and public health issues like access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services. Poverty eradication, through improved access to water and sanitation, is the South African government's major priority. This is partly achieved through subsidising the cost of water and sanitation provision to the poor in rural areas. Whilst the new policies have made a remarkable impact on improved access to water and sanitation services, a general problem since the new approach in 1994 has been the lack of integration of policies for water and sanitation and health. This paper analyses the policies concerning rural water supply and sanitation in South Africa. It considers the structure of institutions, the division of responsibilities and legislated and financial capacity of the South Africa's water sector. A more integrated approach for the policies aiming at water access, sanitation and health is needed. In addition, as the local government's capacity to implement different programmes is limited, a review of the financing system is necessary.

scholarly journals What Are the Impacts of Social Innovation? A Synthetic Review and Case Study of Community Forestry in the Scottish Highlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4359
Author(s):  
Carla Barlagne ◽  
Mariana Melnykovych ◽  
David Miller ◽  
Richard J. Hewitt ◽  
Laura Secco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Study Approach

In a context of political and economic austerity, social innovation has been presented as a solution to many social challenges, old and new. It aims to support the introduction of new ideas in response to the current urgent needs and challenges of vulnerable groups and seems to offer promising solutions to the challenges faced by rural areas. Yet the evidence base of the impacts on the sustainable development of rural communities remains scarce. In this paper, we explore social innovation in the context of community forestry and provide a brief synthetic review of key themes linking the two concepts. We examine a case of social innovation in the context of community forestry and analyse its type, extent, and scale of impact in a marginalized rural area of Scotland. Using an in-depth case study approach, we apply a mixed research methodology using quantitative indicators of impact as well as qualitative data. Our results show that social innovation reinforces the social dimension of community forestry. Impacts are highlighted across domains (environmental, social, economic, and institutional/governance) but are mainly limited to local territory. We discuss the significance of those results in the context of community forestry as well as for local development. We formulate policy recommendations to foster and sustain social innovation in rural areas.

Route selection for natural gas pipelines in Ireland

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 467-474
Author(s):  
J. H. Redding
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Route Selection ◽  
Construction Costs ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Potential Difficulty ◽  
Ground Conditions

AbstractBy the end of 1986, over 400 km of high pressure (70 bar) natural gas pipeline will have been constructed in the Irish Republic, much of it laid in sparsely populated rural areas where topography, hydrology, near surface geology and ground conditions can significantly influence construction feasibility and cost. Identifying, quantifying and (where possible) avoiding areas of potential difficulty or hazard are aspects of route selection to which engineering geology can make an important contribution. This contribution is discussed in relation to the Cork-Dublin pipeline completed in 1982, and the Limerick, Waterford and Mallow lines due for completion this year. In particular, the application and merits of stereo aerial photographic interpretation, superficial geological mapping and field study are outlined, together with the use of more traditional methods of site investigation. Attention is focussed on indigenous engineering geological problems associated with shallow rock, limestone karst, peat bog and poorly drained alluvial and morainic soils. Data acquisition and presentation are discussed within the overall context of civil engineering contract preparation and administration. The usefulness of this approach, particularly for predicting and minimising construction costs, forestalling claims and generally facilitating on-site supervision, is emphasised.

scholarly journals Health Insurance in Myanmar: The Views and Perception of Healthcare Consumers and Health System Informants on the Establishment of a Nationwide Health Insurance System

Risks ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Marjolein van Rooijen ◽  
Chaw-Yin Myint ◽  
Milena Pavlova ◽  
Wim Groot
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Health System ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Health Insurance System ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Insurance System ◽  
Supplementary Health Insurance ◽  
Insurance Model

(1) Background: Health insurance and social protection in Myanmar are negligible, which leaves many citizens at risk of financial hardship in case of a serious illness. The aim of this study is to explore the views of healthcare consumers and compare them to the views of key informants on the design and implementation of a nationwide health insurance system in Myanmar. (2) Method: Data were collected through nine focus group discussions with healthcare consumers and six semi-structured interviews with key health system informants. (3) Results: The consumers supported a mandatory basic health insurance and voluntary supplementary health insurance. Tax-based funding was suggested as an option that can help to enhance healthcare utilization among the poor and vulnerable groups. However, a fully tax-based funding was perceived to have limited chances of success given the low level of government resources available. Community-based insurance, where community members pool money in a healthcare fund, was seen as more appropriate for the rural areas. (4) Conclusion: This study suggests a healthcare financing mechanism based on a mixed insurance model for the creation of nationwide health insurance. Further inquiry into the feasibility of the vital aspects of the nationwide health insurance is needed.

scholarly journals Assessing Sufficiency and Quality of Bandwidth for Public Libraries

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Carlo Bertot ◽  
Charles R. McClure
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
The Public ◽  
Internet Study ◽  
Telecommunications Services ◽  
Access Services ◽  
Networked Services

Based on data collected as part of the 2006 Public Libraries and the Internet study, the authors assess the degree to which public libraries provide sufficient and quality bandwidth to support the library’s networked services and resources. The topic is complex due to the arbitrary assignment of a number of kilobytes per second (kbps) used to define bandwidth. Such arbitrary definitions to describe bandwidth sufficiency and quality are not useful. Public libraries are indeed connected to the Internet and do provide public-access services and resources. It is, however, time to move beyond connectivity type and speed questions and consider issues of bandwidth sufficiency, quality, and the range of networked services that should be available to the public from public libraries. A secondary, but important issue is the extent to which libraries, particularly in rural areas, have access to broadband telecommunications services.

scholarly journals Stopień optymalizacji witryn internetowych obiektów turystyki wiejskiej dla wyszukiwarek internetowych

2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Król
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Search Engines ◽  
Internet Marketing ◽  
Rural Tourism ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Basic Tool ◽  
Internet Applications ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Overnight Stays

Profitability of touristic activity conducted at rural areas usually depends on the number of provided overnight stays. Constant inflow of customers is particularly significant for objects that conduct commercialised activity. It would not be possible without marketing activities in the Internet. A website is a basic tool in the internet marketing. The website prepared with a view to perform certain functions may be ineffective when it will not be visible in search results. This visibility can be increased by optimization activities. The aim of the research was to measure the level of optimization of websites of rural tourism objects for search engines. The surveys were performed in the set of 712 websites in the form of the SEO audit by means of the selected internet applications. Evaluation of the level of optimization of every website was obtained using the method of unitarization. It was proved by means of the Pearson linear correlation that significant relation between websites’ responsivity and the level of their optimization for search engines took place. There are two recommendations that result from the surveys: the owners of rural tourism objects should adapt their websites to mobile devices and concentrate their activities on gaining contents generated by users.

scholarly journals THE POTENTIAL OF THE CROWDSOURCING AS A METHOD OF LINGUISTIC EXPERIMENT

2018 ◽  
pp. 198-204
Author(s):  
M. V. Danilchuk
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Design ◽  
Network Society ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Objective Data ◽  
Brand Name ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Project Organization ◽  
Design Choice ◽  
To Receive

The present research considers crowdsourcing as a method of linguistic experiment. The paper features an experiment with the following algorithm: 1) problem statement, 2) development, 3) and questionnaire testing. The paper includes recommendations on crowdsourcing project organization, as well as some issues of respondents’ motivation, questionnaire design, choice of crowdsourcing platform, data export, etc. The linguistic experiment made it possible to obtain data on the potential of the phonosemantic analysis in solving naming problems in marketing. The associations of the brand name designer matched those of the majority of the Internet pannellists. The experiment showed that crowdsourcing proves to be an available method within the network society. It gives an opportunity to receive objective data and demonstrates high research capabilities. The described procedure of the crowdsourcing project can be used in various linguistic experiments.

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