Rural Development
Research and Planning | Coordination | Consultancy
The decline in the profitability of agriculture and environmental degradation has jeopardized the health and success of rural areas and their residents. Processes of urbanization, trade liberalization, government investment elsewhere and industrialization have left many rural areas in developing and transitioning countries with limited income or employment opportunities for rural residents.
Rural development is at the heart of the Center's activities. We work diligently to approach the above challenges by identifying channels for rural development and revitalization, specifically through: diversification of economic activities, improvement of social services, the establishment of an effective system of support for economic and social development, and strengthening agricultural production. We apply an integrated approach to rural development - "The Rehovot Approach", which takes into account different stakeholder needs and stresses the importance of integrating economic activities, integrating national policies with local interests, and utilizing local assets as active agents in the development process.
Israel has gained significant experience in rural development and revitalization. This includes national policies for rural development, the establishment of cooperative rural settlements, adopting novel technologies for agricultural production, and contemporary economic diversification in the rural areas.
Rural development is at the heart of the Center's activities. We work diligently to approach the above challenges by identifying channels for rural development and revitalization, specifically through: diversification of economic activities, improvement of social services, the establishment of an effective system of support for economic and social development, and strengthening agricultural production. We apply an integrated approach to rural development - "The Rehovot Approach", which takes into account different stakeholder needs and stresses the importance of integrating economic activities, integrating national policies with local interests, and utilizing local assets as active agents in the development process.
Israel has gained significant experience in rural development and revitalization. This includes national policies for rural development, the establishment of cooperative rural settlements, adopting novel technologies for agricultural production, and contemporary economic diversification in the rural areas.
Featured Project: Preliminary Plan for Kisumu Lakefront, Kenya
In 2013, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and MASHAV, the Weitz Center set out to work on a preliminary plan for the integration of the lakefront development of Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Kenya. This project involved a series of three site visits carried out by our professionals hosted by the Governor of Kisumu County. Their final recommendations were later incorporated as part of a multi-stakeholder framework.
In 2013, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and MASHAV, the Weitz Center set out to work on a preliminary plan for the integration of the lakefront development of Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Kenya. This project involved a series of three site visits carried out by our professionals hosted by the Governor of Kisumu County. Their final recommendations were later incorporated as part of a multi-stakeholder framework.