This handbook presents the foundations of modern rural analysis. The first part of the book presents a comprehensive description of the elements of rural analysis, providing the basis for a synthetic view of rural landscapes in the second part. Included is a comprehensive description and explanation of the rural landscapes from throughout the world, which leads to a complete management scheme for rural landscapes.

"This handbook presents the foundations of modern rural analysis. The first part of the book presents a comprehensive description of the elements of rural analysis, providing the basis for a synthetic view of rural landscapes in the second part. Included is a comprehensive description and explanation of the rural landscapes from throughout the world, which leads to a complete management scheme for rural landscapes. The text covers topics such as global change, the role of information technologies in rural areas, gender relations and how to bridge the gap between scientific analysis and decision-making processes. A fully-worked example is provided, illustrating how all the analyses and techniques shown can be applied in a real case. TOC:Introduction. The Rural Areas of the World.- 1 Methodological Notes on Analysis, Synthesis and Management.- 2 The Measuring Process in Rural Analysis.- Part I. Elements of the Analysis: 3 Environmental Elements in Rural Analysis.- 4 Dynamics and Processes of the Environmental Elements.- 5 Anthropic Elements in Rural Analysis.- 6 Dynamics and Processes of the Anthropic Elements.- Part II. The Rural Mosaic of the World. A Geographical Synthesis: 7 A Synthetic Approach.- 8 A Cartographic Overview of the Agrarian World.- 9 Regional Issues in the Rural Areas of the World.- Part III. Rural Management - The Applied Approach: 10 Approaches to Management.- 11 Management Tools: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Expert Systems.- 12 The Concept of Rural Quality of Life.- 13 The Rural Areas in the Structure of the Territory.- 14. Rural Planning and Sustainability.- 15 Involving People in the Process.- 16 The Decision Guidelines Making.- 17 Public Participation and Information Technologies.- 18 Global Change Issues in Rural Planning.- 19 Public Dissemination Tools: An Example for Inventories.- 20 A Rural Plan.- Appendix. Templates for a Rural Project.- List of Figures.- List of Tables.- Color Plates."

Methodological Notes on Analysis, Synthesis and Management.- Methodological Notes on Analysis, Synthesis and Management.- The Measuring Process in Rural Analysis.- Elements of the Analysis.- Environmental Elements in Rural Analysis.- Dynamics and Processes of the Environmental Elements.- Anthropic Elements in Rural Analysis.- Dynamics and Processes of the Anthropic Elements.- A Synthetic Approach.- A Cartographic Overview of the Agrarian World.- Regional Issues in the Rural Areas of the World.- Rural Management - The Applied Approach.- Approaches to Management.- Management Tools: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Expert Systems.- The Concept of Rural Quality of Life.- The Rural Areas in the Structure of the Territory.- Rural Planning and Sustainability.- Involving People in the Process.- The Decision Guidelines Making.- Public Participation and Information Technologies.- Global Change Issues in Rural Planning.- Public Dissemination Tools: An Example for Inventories.- A Rural Plan.