Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 22 ISSUE 2
Written by Nicoleta (MARIN) ILIE, Iulia-Alexandra OPREA, Vlad-Constantin TURCEA, Alecsandra (RUSU) PĂRNUȘ

Preserving the rural identity by establishing communities that develop through intelligent use of local resources and technology, represent new challenges regarding the increase of the living standard in the rural environment. The development of smart villages supposes, first, economic and social development with a direct impact on the quality of life of the members of the rural community as well as on their expectations in relationship to the actions of the public authorities. In this sense, the ability to meet social, educational, economic and environmental challenges, using the strengths and opportunities of a community, but also the involvement of local authorities, are an integral part of the new concept of Smart Villages. Current paper concentrates on defining this novel concept for the Romanian rural area and highlights the implications of its implementation and oversees the structural availability of resources required for optimal fit. The applicability of the concept results from the fund absorption analysis and its implementation is structured in a multi-stage action proposal. Using the financial performance of past projects through various measures to observe the historical trends and indicate future opportunities and introducing the applicable plan as the main research methods, the smart village emergence in rural Romania could directly impact socio-economic development. As the main results present, the ICT infrastructure is tuned in and ready to support various encouraging projects therefore, the Romanian digital rural society is becoming closer to reality. For the Romanian rural communities to be compliant with the international standards, the smart village approach represents a viable action plan.

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